back to original !? help needed

[freezmcnally]

perhaps the gurus out there can help me
how can I find out what original bench cover and door panels my truck would have had. it has no spid and previous owner passed away, so no info.
it has chrome trim all around with eyebrows etc
'custom' badges on door sill
i have a 68 long bed (wood)
15" baby moons
drum brakes
power steering
coil springs on rear.
1/2 ton
no air.
chrome windshield and side vent trim
blk trim on rear window

[Tango59]

My 69 was originally olive green (found it when I took the tank out of the cab). Interior had been repainted gray and black. I removed the door panels and the fabric on the back side was dark green, I started scratching the seatbelt catch and found that was dark green too. Redneck way to find out I guess. Ironic that the original colors were exactly what I wanted.

[davischevy]

I have a 68 short bed Custom. I will try to remember to get you a pic of the SPID and door panels. I might have and original seat for pics.

The links might help.

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/images/68200_lt_green.jpg
http://www.brotherstrucks.com/images/DPR6771.jpg

[freezmcnally]

thanks! any info is helpful. the first link didn't work but the second link looks like the metal panels. I always thought that was 69 or 70, and 68 was like a vertical pleated (wide striped) vinyl but have never been sure if it came with both as an option

FYI mine has the cheesy aftermarket stamped plastic things and they are terrible

[freezmcnally]

Originally Posted by Tango59

My 69 was originally olive green (found it when I took the tank out of the cab). Interior had been repainted gray and black. I removed the door panels and the fabric on the back side was dark green, I started scratching the seatbelt catch and found that was dark green too. Redneck way to find out I guess. Ironic that the original colors were exactly what I wanted.

hehe. cool. I may be doing the whole tank relocate in winter but really want disc brakes first. I hate the drums more than the smell of gas sloshing out of my tank.

[Daner]

Most others are more knowledgable than I am so I will leave the final say up to them. I don't think vinyl door panels came out until 69 on the trucks. And ttt

[freezmcnally]

Originally Posted by Daner

Most others are more knowledgable than I am so I will leave the final say up to them. I don't think vinyl door panels came out until 69 on the trucks. And ttt

hmmm. well, hopefully i get some more responses because i really want to get these done and need to know what the real options were.

[freezmcnally]

ttt

[leftybass209]

I'm surprised you haven't had more replies about this. With what you said, and no SPID, if you are sure your doors are correct for the truck and the emblems have not been added on later, you are looking for a 1968 custom interior. If it had cloth inserts on the bench, you may or may not be able to get the original material, and it certainly would have to be a custom upholstery job. You can try SMS fabrics. If it was vinyl seats, you'd have an easier time of having them made. Try searching for 68 custom interiors in colors that you would believe to be original for your truck.

You are correct that the vinyl vertical pleat panels are for 67-68's. 69 switched to the scroll pattern vinyl, and that carried on in various designs through 72.
I don't know much about the 67-68's as far as exact option materials.

[freezmcnally]

thanks lefty. i have been searching, but unfortunately never finding definitive answers. i dont really know if the doors are original. just have to hope they were added because they looked cool. its not the end of the world but i would like to mimic a custom interior as it would be offered. should i assume that if it were a vinyl seat it had vinyl door panels? cloth and metal or any combination is acceptable?
didn't know if they came in 'packages'

[bruceman1968]

Freeze, concerning the packages, there were 3 trim levels in 1968. The base truck came with the standard trim. The next step up was the Custom, and the highest trim level was the CST. These were trim levels and did not effect the drivetrain or suspension. Below is some GM documentation that will explain what came with the Z62 Custom and Z84 CST trim levels.
The big differences in the Z62 Custom and Z84 CST trim levels was the seat. Z62 Custom had a vinyl seat with cloth inserts and the Z84 CST had a vinyl seat with vinyl inserts. The flooring was also different. The Z62 Custom had a vinyl/rubber floor mat and the Z84 CST had carpet. Both interiors (Z62&Z84) had vinyl door panels, as lefty described.
The best thing to look at is the Pedals. Each trim level in 1968 had different pedals. The standard trim had a waffle design gas pedal, and it was plastic. The Z62 Customs had the same waffle pedal, but it was rubber. And the Z84 CST had a rubber pedal with a different design. It also had chrome trim around it. So on your truck check the pedals, if they are original to your truck, you can tell the trim level from them.

[SS Tim]

Build it up as a Custom and enjoy it though all vinyl seat covers for a CST would be cheaper.

[SS Tim]

A red 68 20 CST Longhorn interior.

[davischevy]

Finally got pics of my old truck, although your questions have been answered.
The truck I have has stainless around the windshield and rear glass, and trim around the grill. The door panel are vinyl w/verticle seams.
Has no mention of the engine option on the SPID. The seat in my truck has been recovered, but I have one of the cloth seats pictured above.

[freezmcnally]

this is awesome info guys. thank you so much. I have been searching and hunting for quite some time and I got more info in these posts than I could find in a few weeks of digging.
the pedals was a good lead too. I have the cst pedals although not sure if they are original or have been changed. bit it seems previous owner had it going in the custom or cst direction. it had original red belts. bench. red steering column. looked to be originally 514 red. has the custom door logos. (not looking new enough to be aftermarket. he had logo on the glovebox too. it also had a steering damper on it.

[freezmcnally]

[ATTACH][/ATTACH]pedals

[freezmcnally]

oh yes, and it also has the chrome around the side windows and windshield. the rear window trim is black rubber...looks recent. the chrome around the windshield looks older.

[davischevy]

I noticed yesterday when I was taking the pics, somebody has stolen the glove box emblem from mine.

[freezmcnally]

Originally Posted by davischevy

I noticed yesterday when I was taking the pics, somebody has stolen the glove box emblem from mine.

your kidding? that sucks. i was trying to post my chrome glovebox door on the site but i realized you have to subscribe for that. it has the bowtie with chevrolet plastic emblem on it, but its in really rough shape. looks like someone tried to wipe it off with the wrong chemical. if i dont sell my door on craigslist you are welcome to have it.

[davischevy]

No worry. I have more emblems. It just sucks that someone would come in and take it. May have to get a big dog.

Are you in need of a glove box door?

BTW, have you been over to Horn's Auto Salvage in Springdale yet? I can spend a lot of time roaming around that place and he has several of these trucks.

[freezmcnally]

Originally Posted by davischevy

No worry. I have more emblems. It just sucks that someone would come in and take it. May have to get a big dog.

Are you in need of a glove box door?

BTW, have you been over to Horn's Auto Salvage in Springdale yet? I can spend a lot of time roaming around that place and he has several of these trucks.

lol. no I just bought one off a member here. already painting it as we speak. see 'painting glovebox with nason' post

haven't been to horns but was thinking of going. good to know he has parts. I need an original steering wheel. wanted a 69 but really hard to find so thought I would go with an original 68 to match the truck.
maybe I will go tomorrow. laptop is crapping out and need to go to Rogers anyway