Brand New Old '69!

[Solego]

I've always been a motorhead. I bought my first muscle car, a '71 Chevelle, over 7 years ago, and still own it. It's been sitting for three years now needing a frame off. My wife and I both had company cars until my wife switched careers and now no longer has one. Now she drives our only driveable car that we actually own. My company car isn't good for anything other than transporting people. So, after borrowing my dads truck (good to live near family) until he threatened to start charging me, I decided to get a truck. I only had to promise to buy my wife a new car before I could me a used truck. Women. Well, I missed driving something that I could actually name the part of the engine that I was more than likely going to break while trying to tune it. That, and something that sounded like it had a pair. So I decided to buy something older than I, and Chevy, of course. So here it is. I bought it yesterday from P.J.'s Auto World in Clearwater, FL. I won't be picking it up until the end of the month. Although everything they sell is "as is", they completely inspect the entire drivetrain and fix, for free, anything that would prevent you from driving it off the lot. So far, the salesman has said they're going to tune the carb (too rich, lotta backfiring) and replace the battery. Also, I'm going to replace the fancy electric seats, fix the A/C system (did I mention I lived in Florida/Hell), replace the melting and sticky original steering wheel, and add power brakes. So, here are pictures as it sits on their lot.

[N2TRUX]

That's nice! Welcome to the forum...

[sb69chevy]

Looks nice. The GMCs are sweet w/ the dual headlights. Good score.

[Solego]

So it is a GMC. It was advertised as a C10 and in this picture it has a bowtie on the tailgate. I thought the previous owner may have just slapped those on there. I know a lot more about old cars than old trucks. Do any of you have one that does not have power brakes. When I test drove it, I could barely keep the truck at a stand still while at a stop sign. I forgot to look or even ask if it was all drum, but I assume it is w/out power brakes. Anyways, I had to stand on the brake to keep it from putting along. Is this normal with manual brakes? I couldn't imagine this happening with just bad shoes. Regardless, I'm having then put in a power brake conversion kit for me since it's a 120 mile drive home on the interstate. I don't want to rear end a semi because I couldn't stop. Thanx for any and all help you guys can give!

[dukes69]

not pickin the truck apart, but the box looks long behind the rear wheels. like a long box made into a short box. if im wrong im sorry. maybe its the angle or something. if it was cut down to a short box that would be nice to know before you buy.

[sb69chevy]

It may just have the GMC front clip.

[Solego]

It that were to be true, then whoever did it was one helluva fabricator because all of the curves terminate at the end of the box perfectly.

But go ahead, just kick my dog while you're at it!

[Solego]

Great, so by the end of this discussion, we'll have determined that it's actually an old Volvo. I'm so screwed.

[sb69chevy]

THAT, I can assure you, is no Volvo.

[jeffspower]

I'm part of the dare to be different crowd- as long as YOU like the semi- shortbox conversion, that's all that really matters.

[red69ss]

Did gmc trucks come with that steering wheel ?? I know you said original looks like a chevelle or nova wheel never owned a gmc didn't know.But nice looking truck.

[1LoC10]

i dont like the chop job on the bed at all.... but it looks clean

[Longhorn Man]

LOL!!!! It isn't a volvo!
I hate to say, the bed DID catch my eye also. It IS a long bed, I just can't tell if it's been cut down or not. (I'm starting to think it was) There are steak pockets in the middle of the bed rail, there wouldn't be one there if it was a short bed. There's a few things that kinda catch my eye as not being right... but it isn't being sold as an all original rig.. and the fact remains, it is a sweet looking truck.
Do you happen to have the first 1/2 of the VIN? Or maybe the model number?
As for the brakes, your assumptions are correct, you should not have had to put that much effort on them to hold it still, even 4 wheel drums w/out a booster (like mine) And if it is a 69 system, then yes, it would be 4 wheel drums.
As the others mentioned, that steering wheel IS out of a car.

[Solego]

Originally Posted by red69ss

Did gmc trucks come with that steering wheel ?? I know you said original looks like a chevelle or nova wheel never owned a gmc didn't know.But nice looking truck.

Now that you said it, it looks just like the steering wheel in my '71 Chevelle.

[Fubijad]

Not to kick a brother of the badge, but the steering wheel looks like a ford product. But I can't fault you for your choice in trucks

[OLDIRON69]

My neighbor has a '69 GMC and that wheel does not look like his at all. I would say it is a GMC with a bowtie on the tailgate. On the brakes it sounds like they need to bleed the brakes. 4 wheel drum, with all new hardware actually stop pretty darn good, then again..mine is power drum so not really sure. My Charger is 4 wheel drum,manual and it stops, not on a dime,but it stops. I would check the frame to see if it has been shortened correctly,if shortened at all. The grill is an aftermarket GMC by the looks of it. Nice looking truck, just check it over real well, maybe have an independent inspector look it over. It normally only runs about $200..money well spent in my book.

[CrashEd]

It has three things i love!! Its a truck, 67-72 and a GM got love it. Looking at the pipes out the a$$ it should sound like it has a pair. its going to be a nice ride thats for sure.
I can still remember the first car i drove with power disc brakes if the steering wheel wouldn't of blocked my path it would of need a new windshield LOL!! yes none power drum brakes are just a little better than having no brakes at all.
Ed

[Solego]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

LOL!!!! It isn't a volvo!
I hate to say, the bed DID catch my eye also. It IS a long bed, I just can't tell if it's been cut down or not. (I'm starting to think it was) There are steak pockets in the middle of the bed rail, there wouldn't be one there if it was a short bed. There's a few things that kinda catch my eye as not being right... but it isn't being sold as an all original rig.. and the fact remains, it is a sweet looking truck.
Do you happen to have the first 1/2 of the VIN? Or maybe the model number?
As for the brakes, your assumptions are correct, you should not have had to put that much effort on them to hold it still, even 4 wheel drums w/out a booster (like mine) And if it is a 69 system, then yes, it would be 4 wheel drums.
As the others mentioned, that steering wheel IS out of a car.

My only concern about the truck when I decided to buy it was whether or not I could drive it as is for a daily driver, which is less than 1000 miles a year for I have a company car , until I decide to do a frame off. No car or truck that I rebuild will remain as it came from the factory. Each ride is a reflection of the person who built it.

But, I do thank everyone for pointing these facts out. As G.I. Joe said, "Knowing is half the battle!"

[Longhorn Man]

the question is... how much do you wanna know?

[Solego]

Not too much! I don't want a heart attack.

[Longhorn Man]

LOL! It is a good looking truck, and a head turner.
And a million times nicer than my heap.

[sb69chevy]

I hear that LHman. Wish mine looked that nice.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by Solego

So it is a GMC. It was advertised as a C10 and in this picture it has a bowtie on the tailgate ...

Not just the front grille gives it away as a GMC ... take a peep at the glove box door.

[mkundo]

It's a nice truck. Enjoy and have fun with it.
my .02

[72 CustomCamper]

It might be a mutt. You said it's listed as a 69. It looks to have a 71-72 front suspension because it has 5 lug wheels on it...


Chuck