Bone Stock Fantasy Build?

[tristan]

Like everyone else, my dream is to find a fully optioned rust-free survivor at a reasonable price for my next project. Since I know that truck will not emerge until the day after I have committed my money to something else, and since the object of my desires will be difficult or perhaps even impossible to find, I was wondering if anyone here has created an example of a 100% stock fantasy truck. I'm talking 1971 or 72 short bed, big block, Cheyenne equipment, AC, bucket seats and all of the other goodies. I have a line on a short bed roller with a genuine 1971 402 and am mulling over simply building it my way. Not a restomod but a loaded restostock if you follow me. Any thoughts pro or con?

[jocko]

Do it. That is exactly what many folks do. Some do throw in rallies, or some other non-era item, but that's fine - build what you like. I know exactly what you're talking about though - build the truck you would have ordered back in 72 if you could have ordered whatever you wanted. Can be difficult, but the parts are out there to do it. It's really no different than doing a restoration (level of work, that is). You just add in the options YOU want along the way. How many tachs have been added that way?? Lots. I say do it. And the 71 swb big block sounds like a GREAT platform to start with, you're already halfway there. What trim level is it? Cheyenne? CustomD? Super?

[RustyBucket]

Find the nicest, best equipped most perfect one you can afford & BUY IT. Then drive it, fondle it and enjoy it. I see trucks pretty often that sell for less than the cost of the parts not counting the labor involved to restore them. $20k-$25k will buy a REAL nice truck if you shop carefully and a high quality restoration/re-creation is gonna cost more. That's just one old lazy retired guys opinion.

[darkhorse970]

I agree, that's actually what I'm doing with my '68 "COPO Concept" project. Mine won't be completely stock, but it will look close to most people.

[mmiddle]

The truth is... few of these trucks have a pedigreed paper trail that guarantee their authenticity. Much of the time all we have to go on is the VIN that is vague at best to what the truck originally was. Some better examples will have a fully legible SPID, but few have an intact Protecto-plate and build sheet.
I would not waste my time scouring the Country to find that perfect numbers matching/ date code matching pedigreed example. Build the truck YOU want to drive and when ask be honest about what it was. Very few of us are willing to pay extra for matching numbers or a pedigree. In the big picture, these are work tools not Corvettes, Camaros, Chevelles, ect.

[davepl]

I have a build sheet, protect-o-plate, SPID, and pictures of the new owners taking delivery the day it was bought. And I could still get a SPID made with speed warning on it and you'd never know unless you saw the build sheet (because SPIDs are easily generated now).

Without a build sheet I wouldn't pay for anything these days, at least not high end. So you might as well build a clone and get a SPID made for it because there's nothing else stopping you or anyone from building a very convincing clone. I don't mean deceptive - how you present it is up to you.

And in some weird way I feel that these trucks are the sum of their parts. I added a speed warning to mine and while in a Camaro I'd feel like I was devaluing an originally highly optioned vehicle, it felt right. I don't know why but a truck seems different.

Build what you want. It'll be worth close to the same when done as if it had been built that was originally anyway. Which is to say 1/4 of what you spend :-)

I would start with a shortbed though. I don't care if it used to have a 6, but I don't think I'd be as eager to buy someone else's cutdown frame. Not that it can't be done well, it's just invasive and hard to inspect once it's ground and painted.

[Mapearso]

^^^^^^

What he said. Agree with it all. The only thing I would add is if you LIKE the HUNT (which many of us do), then take your time and be patient and you will eventually find the " fully optioned rust-free survivor at a reasonable price" that you are after. But it will take a lot of searching and you'll kiss a lot of frogs before you find the prince LOL.

[davepl]

I spent three years searching for a rust-free, highly optioned, unmolested surviving big block short box Sierra Grande. I eventually "settled" on it in Longhorn form factor and built it as a truck rather than a 2-seat sports car, but would have no doubt done the 1/2T shortbox if I could have found one.

The search is long. It's longer in GMC world. All the more reason to "cut the line" and start with something more basic and option it up.

[Mapearso]

Originally Posted by davepl

I spent three years searching for a rust-free, highly optioned, unmolested surviving big block short box Sierra Grande. I eventually "settled" on it in Longhorn form factor and built it as a truck rather than a 2-seat sports car, but would have no doubt done the 1/2T shortbox if I could have found one.

The search is long. It's longer in GMC world. All the more reason to "cut the line" and start with something more basic and option it up.

Only 3 years searching for your Sierra Grande?

3 years and a day and you woulda found one

You did good anyway, your truck is awesome

[FirstOwner69]

I pretty much agree with the advise presented above.

In my case I was 100% sure of the originality of my truck since I am the only owner. The truck was already loaded for a 69 with A/C, CST package, buckets, 350, TH400 etc.. Everything on the truck was original except for the alternator, some paint, rocker repairs, and normal replaceable/maintenance items such as hoses. I struggled with a decision of whether to just clean it up and keep it as it was, restore it to bone stock or restore it and add some options available in 70-72 that weren't available in 1969. I had previously restored a 1958 Vette to NCRS specs and had received the Duntov and Bloomington Gold awards for that effort. So, my first inclination was to go that route. My main concern was the truck's engine which accounted for most of the receipts in my file. Once I'd made the decision to replace it with a Chevrolet Performance Parts 350 with Vortec heads, the decision was made to restore the truck to what I believe the OP means by "bone stock fantasy build".

Here's what I added with the frame-off restoration.
- Engine
- Correct truck tilt with a leather 1994 S-10 steering wheel. I like the feel of the fatter leather wheel but the appearance of the original.
- AM/FM radio
- Factory shoulder belts
- Fancy oak bed wood
- Gauge dash with factory tach and a clock. The truck was ordered without gauges. The clock is from a square body truck.
- Hummer H2 wheels
- Modified A/C brackets to work with the Vortec heads
- A high note horn which wasn't available in 69
- Deluxe lighted side makers which didn't become available until after my truck's production date in 1969.

All other items are correct including the hose clamps, hoses, retaining straps (no zip-ties allowed), T3 headlights, etc.

Since the purist is still buried somewhere in my being, I have retained everything removed including the original engine, idiot light dash, steel 16.5" wheels (restored), hub caps, steering column with the almost mint original steering wheel and about everything else that wasn't rotted away. My thinking is that it's good to have all this in case I eventually sell (highly unlikely!) to a purist who could replace all this stuff and paint the bed wood and have a correct original truck.

In the meantime, I'll enjoy it as I built it! However, I will never misrepresent it.

So, my advise is build what you want!

Jim

[tristan]

Thanks so much for all of the thoughtful and informative replies. It sure is tempting to take the plunge. I know it will probably cost more in the long run but the thought of having exactly what I want, and paying for it on the installment program rather than all at once, is pretty appealing. I think I can get the roller with all of the basic parts save for an AC cab for relatively little money and shipping hassle.

Originally Posted by jocko

What trim level is it? Cheyenne? CustomD? Super?

I'm told it's a Cheyenne. No SPID though.