Is it worth restoring this 1963 c20?

[mashby21]

Im just wanting some opinions on whether or not to restore this '63 c20. It has a lot of rust, It was given to me at no cost so I didn't even look it over before I had it towed to my house. When it got here I realized there is a lot of rust, but there is good parts about it too. should it be parted out?

[mashby21]

[Bears63]

Rust is repairable. Yes, it takes time, elbow grease and some money, but it is repairable. You have a complete truck there, no sense in just throwing it out. It has potential if you are willing to put the effort into it. I wouldn't hesitate to work on that one, especially since it was a free truck. That's my $0.02, for what it's worth....

[vin63]

From the exterior damage you posted, it is in better shape than my '63 C10 was before I did my build ups. I would say go for it. How is the frame and other structural components?

[mashby21]

The frame is good, as far as i have seen so far anyway. its got a 283 that fired right up after i changed all the plugs, wires battery etc. both inner and outer fenders are rusted pretty bad, rockers are gone, cab corners are gone and about 4" on each side of the floor are gone. looks like those are pretty normal rusted out areas and they make patch panels for everything that is rusted out. ive heard that aftermarket fenders sometimes dont fit, so im wondering if i should just patch them? thanks for your input, as you can probably tell I'm a noob. plus i am finding out that the piece of horizontal trim on the back of the cab is pretty rare. maybe ill sell that to help pay for the project.

[63 Spud]

Welcome to the world of old rusted Chevy trucks! You're not kidding when you say the rockers are gone.They are literally not there anymore. Still, you have a C20 with some nice options. I live in Boise and have some experience with these trucks. I'd be happy to take a look at it and give my opinion. Just PM me.

[duallyjams]

Make sure it's mechanically sound and drive it.

[mashby21]

No brakes at the moment. pedal goes to the floor. but i definitely will.

[VonDog]

Naw - it's a POS - I'll take it off your hands! Really though, mine's worse and totally fixable.

[schpeen]

do you plan on doing the cutting, welding and doing the body work yourself? If so yes go for it, If you plan on paying someone to do the work for you expect to spend much more than the truck will be valued at when complete. Good part about doing it or having it done for you is you will know what's under the paint when it's done. For me that was priceless as I do not plan on selling mine and I know all rust was cut out and replaced with solid metal no bondo. I could have bought a truck that was already redone for half what I spent on mine but I know I probably would end up stripping that truck down and redoing it eventually anyway so I just bit the bullet and went for it one time.

no regrets here knowing what I have now, I am very happy! Not all of us on here are mechanics, welders and body men but that doesn't make us any less of a car guy than the next guy.

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by mashby21

The frame is good, as far as i have seen so far anyway. its got a 283 that fired right up after i changed all the plugs, wires battery etc. both inner and outer fenders are rusted pretty bad, rockers are gone, cab corners are gone and about 4" on each side of the floor are gone. looks like those are pretty normal rusted out areas and they make patch panels for everything that is rusted out. ive heard that aftermarket fenders sometimes dont fit, so im wondering if i should just patch them? thanks for your input, as you can probably tell I'm a noob. plus i am finding out that the piece of horizontal trim on the back of the cab is pretty rare. maybe ill sell that to help pay for the project.

Can you post some pics of the back cab trim? It was a 1960 option only. Although it can be added to any 60-66 as I've got a set for my 63. Great looking truck and I say its worth keeping. Also...any interior pics?

[TJ's Chevy]

I'd restore it...and if you don't like metal work there's a wide selection of Repop or good used parts available.

[chevy_man5]

Welcome to the forum from another Idahoan!

[63bigwinder]

Am I missing something? That looks like stock 63 custom cab trim to me

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by 63bigwinder

Am I missing something? That looks like stock 63 custom cab trim to me

That's why I asked for better pics.....

[whitlockscu]

like everyone else said that truck in in great shape, if you dont want it i will take it off your hands.

[mashby21]

thanks for all the responses! yes i plan on doing all the cutting, welding, body work myself and with help from friends. i dont know a whole lot about this horizontal cab trim piece, so i could be completely wrong. i just thought it was made in 1960 only? but my 63 has this one..

[donthekawguy]

You have saved about a grand by getting it for free already. If you can weld your ahead of the game. If you can't, floors are a good place to learn. You can cover up the ugly as long as they are strong. I would replace the fenders if its just going to be a driver. Be prepared for cab mounts, floor supports and all that if you start to fix it.

[mashby21]

and here are some interior pics..

[mashby21]

Originally Posted by donthekawguy

You have saved about a grand by getting it for free already. If you can weld your ahead of the game. If you can't, floors are a good place to learn. You can cover up the ugly as long as they are strong. I would replace the fenders if its just going to be a driver. Be prepared for cab mounts, floor supports and all that if you start to fix it.

i can weld, havent for years so thats a good idea to practice on the floors.. im going to be doing a lot of welding down there!

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by mashby21

thanks for all the responses! yes i plan on doing all the cutting, welding, body work myself and with help from friends. i dont know a whole lot about this horizontal cab trim piece, so i could be completely wrong. i just thought it was made in 1960 only? but my 63 has this one..
Attachment 1286816

It was a 1960 only option, as was the glovebox emblem. Can't tell if the trim is original or was made by someone without taking it off to see the ends. The factory trim didn't have external screws....they were held on by clips. The sail panels that connect them are square on the ends not rounded. Both items will fit 60-63 no problem and they may have been pulled off a 60. Either way its a very nicely optioned truck and worth restoring.

Heres a good pic of the difference in the sail panels....you want the square end for the back cab trim.

Also...good thread on the trim....link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614180

[mashby21]

this was an old farm truck, so i was wondering why it had the piece of trim on it. and the guy doesn't seem like he would be into customizing his truck. from what you just said it must have been made for him or something, it does have the screws on the ends, and when i removed it the sails are rounded on the ends and dont have a notch or anything for the piece to go on top of. (does that make sense?) oh well, i think it makes the 2 tone paint job look nice so im glad i have it.

[mashby21]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

It was a 1960 only option, as was the glovebox emblem. Can't tell if the trim is original or was made by someone without taking it off to see the ends. The factory trim didn't have external screws....they were held on by clips. The sail panels that connect them are square on the ends not rounded. Both items will fit 60-63 no problem and they may have been pulled off a 60. Either way its a very nicely optioned truck and worth restoring.

Heres a good pic of the difference in the sail panels....you want the square end for the back cab trim.

Also...good thread on the trim....link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=614180

yes, my sails ar the bottom rounded ones

[mashby21]

Originally Posted by chevy_man5

Welcome to the forum from another Idahoan!

Thanks!

[1963c-10]

I'd leave it if you like it, but sounds like a piece that was added at a later time by the PO. It looks good to me and if you like it....leave it there. Heres a pic of the back of the cab trim.....you can see the notching to allow it to fit over the square ends. If its not like this....then it was made or off another model vehicle.

Sounds like you still have the original and correct sails with the rounded ends. You can always take the back trim off too if you don't like it. The glovebox emblem is a nice find too. The factory gauges, trim package and deluxe seats are very desireable options.