A classic ride, ready to roll

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/12/2019 (2180 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

By the early 1960s, pickup trucks were receiving annual styling updates and the introduction of new available models, like the growing car market. At Chevrolet, its new 1964 C10 half-ton pickup received some modest styling upgrades, giving the truck a new look.

The wraparound windshield and forward-slanted A-pillars bowed to a new flat windscreen with traditional rear-slanted pillars.

Neatly integrated into the previous body to keep costs low, it gave the cab a modern appearance. The grille was redesigned with a new crosshatch pattern and the name Chevrolet proudly resided on the upper bar. Custom cab appearance equipment packages included a new dashboard design and upgraded interior fabrics. The look of the standard workhorse truck was fading rapidly.

For Frank and Wendy Seidel of Stonewall, owning a classic vehicle was nothing new. They’ve owned several makes and models over the past 20 years, including a Buick Skylark convertible. After selling the Buick, Wendy suggested they look for a vintage pickup truck as their next purchase.

“We wanted a 1964 to ’66 Chevy pickup and thought one would be easy to find,” Frank said.

Little did they know, it would take two full years before they found just the right truck. Purchased in Winnipeg this past September, the 1964 Chevrolet C10 Custom Fleetside, short-box pickup had recently received a full restoration, along with the addition of many custom touches and equipment upgrades.

“We wanted something that was already done and ready to drive and this is just what we wanted,” Frank said.

The full frame-off restoration was done by a previous owner in the United States with the aim of making the truck a comfortable and reliable cruiser.

Starting with a completely rust-free truck, the frame was rebuilt with a new power-steering box, power front-disc brakes and 12-bolt positraction rear axle. Rolling stock features BF Goodrich T/A radial tires riding on 15-by-eight-inch Chevrolet rally wheels with centre caps and trim rings, bearing an orange pinstripe and bow tie, to tie in with the side script.

In place of the original 283 V-8 and Powerglide two-speed automatic transmission, Seidel’s truck is equipped with a 350-cubic-inch V-8, fitted with a mild hydraulic performance camshaft, Edelbrock aluminum dual-plane intake manifold and 750 c.f.m. Holley four-barrel carburetor and MSD ignition. Exhaust duties are handled by a set of Hooker ceramic-coated headers leading to a 2½-inch custom dual exhaust system.

Backing it up and transferring the power to the rear axle is a 700R4 automatic overdrive transmission, allowing for both lively acceleration and fuel-efficient highway cruising.

The truck cab and box were bathed in a basecoat/clearcoat Light Autumnwood Metallic paint finish with white side stripes and tailgate lettering and orange Chevrolet side script. The bed of the truck features finished oak with chrome bed strips. There are chrome bumpers, front and rear, along with the optional bumperettes up front and dual chrome side-view mirrors and back-up lamps.

Inside, the custom interior boasts a grey faux-leather seat and factory door panels, electric windshield wipers and tinted glass.

The dash gauge cluster is from a larger Chevrolet tandem truck. It carries full gauges including a tachometer and vacuum gauge. Road tunes come from a Pioneer AM/FM iPod/USB tuner, with kick panel-mounted five-inch two-way speakers.

The whole package makes for a very comfortable truck capable of many kilometres of trouble-free cruising.

The Seidels have managed to log many on the truck already before putting it into winter storage, but they are looking forward to a full cruising season in 2020.

The 1964 to ’66 Chevrolet and GMC trucks have a tremendous following in the classic- and collector-car market.

While there is no breakdown of definite production figures per model, Chevrolet produced more than 500,000 light-duty trucks in 1964, which means many are still out there.

The wide availability of parts for a factory restoration or custom parts for a resto-mod gives owners plenty of possibilities for driving a unique version.

57ford@mymts.net