Project CST/SS

[cst69]

Starting point: (Pictures attached)
- 1968 chevy shortbed frame, cab, front grill & hood, traded surround sound home stereo system & 4 bullet hole 15" rims for it, value around $ 330.00
- shortbed fleetside bed, rust above passenger side wheelwell paid $ 200.00
- 2 front fenders for 1968. excellent condition NOS paid $ 200.00
- extra parts from previous projects - drivers door NOS in EC, new door hinges, armrests, door panels, weatherstripping, door handles, extra front grill, cst guage panel, B&M floor shifter ect. $ free
- 1968 shortbed SS side molding GC & complete $ 80.00
- Cab corners & rocker panels, new reprod. $ 75.00
- Bucket seats & center console from 1990 ss truck, needs cleaning $ free
- 1976 caddilac 500 V8 w/ 400 turbo tranny, 40k miles w/accessories $ 350.00
- 1968 cst black wheelcovers (hubcaps) EC $ 25.00

Total $1260.00 now.

Phase 1:
Rebuild cab, paint & re-furbish frame, install caddy drivetrain, fix bed rust, install front cab, buy bumpers, radiator, ext., prime exterior. Get on the road!
Budget:1,500.00

Phase 2:
Suspension work, upgrade interior, sound system, upgrade lighting, motor upgrades, Spin-tech exhaust, soundproofing.

Phase 3: Exterior T.B.D.

Home built project in a 2 car garage on a dirt floor (old shop). I need to rehab the shop some before I start and have the electricity hooked back up. The idea behind the project is to mock up what a 1968 chevy cst-SS would look like if chevrolet would have produced such a thing. Please follow along with my thoughts & plans and feel free to offer your input as we can build this togather. This will be a time consuming project that will take some time as I have other priorities working also.

[mx574]

i like where this is going i think it will be awesome. cant wait to see the progress unfold. spin tech exhaust is tough.

[cst69]

Some more pics of other parts from my starting point of the build.

[cst69]

more pics

[cst69]

After checking out the SPID I am thinking to sell the 500 caddy combo and go with a hi-po 327 just as it came with and keep everything specific to the spid with the exception of adding SS items.

SPID says,

Red/off white
tinted glass
wheel covers
327 cu in V8 engine
rear axle 307 ratio
paint strip
non glare mirror
Push button radio

chrome bumper rr
red vinyl trim
ammeter - oil guage
custom sport truck
power steering
door edge guards
side trim mold EO


Anyone with this color combination on their 68 that could post a picture?

[franky69c10]

sweet

[cst69]

How does CSST sound?

Well, first I am at a crossroad. Due to the SPID showing this truck had a 327 V8, should I go with a 1968 327 (L79 -365 hp) version w/ carb -or- restomod with a 5.3 LS motor out of a 2000 truck & fuel injection?

[gcburdic]

I like the CSST!!! to the boards from just west of ya

[67chevy1series]

327!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 gotta love those mighty mouse orange engines under the hood of a 67 68!

[cst69]

Bought a few parts from Brothers yesterday before their sale ended.

cab mount kit
drop springs 3" front, 4" rear
power brake booster & master
dash pad
various new fender bolts, bed gasket set, ect.

This weekend looks like I will be cleaning out the old shop I plan on using, repacing 8' floresent lights, going to the landfill with some junk and trying to set aside other for a yardsale & selling the balance on craigslist. Got to also get the wood stove fired up to make sure no problems.

More later....

[cst69]

I went thru my old Truck magazines until I found a 1 page article on the Golden Cameo truck that Chevrolet Design prototyped in 1967 to celebrate the 50th anniversity of chevy trucks in 1968. They also made a special show car, 1967 camaro, they hauled on a trailer behind the Golden Cameo. This truck had the SS grill with hidden headlights & SS hood vents of the time. I am anticipating scanning this tonight to post for all to see.

I hope to use these design clues in my cSSt project.

[cst69]

The Golden Cameo, circa 1967-1968.

I fought with the scanner and it won, this time. I will try to get a better image and repost the article.

In this pic you can kinda see the direction I want to go.

[rondog4416]

going to be cool !! i'm in !!

[doubleb's69]

Bummer, I was gonna name my project short box SST/10 on the forum. I'm going to drop the "C" and add an "S" for super sport truck. I just wasn't going to start a build thread until spring because its getting colder here and I don't have a heated work space. But it sounds like its gonna be cool. What magazine is that picture out of?

[Dieselwrencher]

Looks like a sweet build you have planned here!

[cst69]

Thanks for the support guys, I hope it turns out 1/2 as nice as I have in my head. Hope to scan a sketch/loose rendering of some ideas I have for this build to get your input.

I will have to look tonight to see what magazine the article came from. It is a 1990's magazine, I think it was a one-off Chevy Truck publication that ran 4 times a year. I am still working on getting a better copy posted somehow. Need editing software to endlarge sections of the page for everyone ot veiw and read the article.

[7dee2]

Very cool idea!! I likey..

[cst69]

Below is a rough sketch of some ideas for project cSSt. Input from anyone is welcome.

I am happy with my concept, just hate to give up on that 500 caddy transplant. I might still go with it instead of the 327 but time will tell.

[oldblue1968chevy]

woah way cool

[7dee2]

I really like your idea.. Sorry to repeat but I do.

I would suggest the SS hood with either the 67 (would match grill better, maybe depends on material used) or the 68/69 (egg crate like the magazine picture) inserts to be unique from other trucks. It would add to your SS theme IMO.

How are you planning on hiding the headlights? Just behind the grill or actually building hidaway headlight doors??

The motor I think is a preference call. Are you going to tow? Is mpg a concern? How much extra fabrication or uniqueness are you willing to do? The Caddy motor is very cool but I have heard they are expensive to build with limited aftermarket vendor's.

Also you mention possibly running a factory style wheel. Have you seen the factory rally wheel center cap from CC69rat & Noneck, WOW!!

If stock wheels are in the picture that would also be very unique.

1969 C10 SWB Stepside - Big Block project
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444414

[67cheby]

gonna be cool !!

[cst69]

Thanks 7dee2, I appreciate the input. I really like having several ideas to choose from as it's fun to bench-race this build. As for answers,

I would suggest the SS hood....

- I have a few ideas on the hood. The easy way is a 2 1/2" cowl hood, the hardest way is mocking up a custom looking 68 camaro SS hood. I will sketch up my idea as it is hard to explain. I have started mocking up the front grill area but havn't got too far with it yet, egg crate seems to be the way but I could end up doing a modified custom billet grill.

How are you planning on hiding the headlights?

- I plan on building hide-a-way headlight doors, same design as 68 camaro rs grill design where it matches the grill design & slides behind the grill when in use.

The motor I think is a preference call.

- I want to stay pretty much on task with the build idea in making an authentic 1968 SS so I am leaning toward a L-79 spec 327 V8 or possibly a 396 BB but....I already have the 500 and it is a sweet low milage motor.
Did you know if I swap the metal intake for an aluminum dual plane the 500 is close to being as light as a small block chevy. Stock power is 250 hp/ 400 tq. and isn't too bad on gas either. It does cost more to modify but it doesn't take as many modifications to get a lot of power.


Also you mention possibly running a factory style wheel. Have you seen the factory rally wheel center cap from CC69rat & Noneck, WOW!!

- I will check them out. Wheels i havn't gave too much thought to as they would be later on towards the end. I'm sure we could discuss this later but your idea does meet my criteria for a stock 1968 SS truck.

[7dee2]

Are you thinking cowl hood w/ss inserts??? Koool!

Also really like the kustom front bumper in your drawing.

I would not complain about a BBC at all.. I am sure you will enjoy the link to CC69Rat's build. BTW they make those center caps for 5 & 6 lug trucks I believe.

Looking forward to a readable copy of the Golden Cameo Article if possible.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Sounds like you have it all mapped out cant wait to see where you go with it..

[cst69]

OK, here is my second attempt at attaching the Golden Cameo article which my build is "loosely" based on.