1968 Chevrolet C-10

350

xxxxx

Clear

Where do I start??? Up for auction is my 1968 Chevrolet pickup. I started this project in 1990 with a 1967 old red truck painted with a mop. It ran but was too ugly, so I began the restoration. It led me to a 10 year project that included running a business buying and selling 67-72 Chevrolet Truck Parts. Those around the Portland area during that period probably know me as the Chevy Pickup Man. I parted out and sold dozens of trucks and purchases many parts and pieces. During a 10 year period, I was fortunate to salvage and collect almost every rare part and piece known to these trucks. I worked with several other experts in this area that many people know and finally completed the project in 2001 with a truck that represents the epitome of what these trucks represent. To begin, I dismantled the truck down to the bare frame and had it sand blasted and painted with chassis black paint from Eastwood for easy touch up. I then planned the project to include every option that would make this truck the best it could be. After completing the frame, I totally rebuilt and added a front end from a 72 disc brake set up with 5 lugs, unlike the 6 lug drums that was stock, and mounted custom offset 8” sport wheels. I then matched up a rebuilt 5 lug – 3:73 limited slip posi-trac rear end which included the appropriate offset custom made 10” stock rally wheels, stainless steel beauty rings and factory caps. Upon completing the frame and chassis, I added a new Chevrolet crate 350 motor to include an Eldelbrock Performance 600 Carburetor with the matching Intake Manifold. I also added the HEI Distributor, along with new ram horn exhaust manifolds, aluminized exhaust system and Magna Flow mufflers. At this point, I had a rebuilt/balance heavy duty driveline and ujoints installed, rebuilt all of the brakes and installed new shocks, a new battery, new voltage regulator, new alternator, new radiator and upgraded the entire air conditioning system to R-22. I also added a new power steering pump, master brake cylinder and a completely rebuilt 350 Turbo Hydro transmission. Upon completion of the chassis, I decided to update the truck to a 1968 model because I preferred the larger back window and marker lights on the fenders. This led me to a project finding a perfect pair of 68 front and rear fenders as it was my goal to only use parts that had zero rust and did not require any body work. This concept followed the entire project as you will not find any rust on this truck, which is very rare as you can observe under the battery box, radiator core support and cab rails. These are the common areas that are most common in these trucks. As I began restoring the bed, I always admired the beauty of clear oak and polished stainless steel strips but I didn’t like the cheesy trailer lights Chevrolet used in those days. So I ordered a roll pan from Hagan to include custom lights for the rear of the bed. This cleaned up the back of the bed and streamlined the look, removing the rear bumper. I then added a locking Gaylord Bed Cover to secure my gear when I travel and show the truck. Upon completion of the bed, I began the process of collecting and assembling factory options. I had the original 67 buckets seats beautifully reupholstered and set on a completely brand new black carpet and pad set to include an original set of black stock seat belts. The truck has factory original power steering, power brakes, air condition, tinted glass, bucket seats, seat belts, tilt steering wheel, rally wheels, speed warning indicator, tachometer, vacuum gauge, sliding rear window, head liner, dome lights and rear bed light, AM/FM radio with dual speaker upgrade in the original speaker location with no cuts in the dash or doors. Almost everything on this truck has been replaced with OEM parts purchased from LMC Truck Parts. Everything looks new and near new. Upon my completion of the truck in January of 2001, I then decided to drive the truck down to Pasa Robles, California and enter it into the National GM Jamboree. After spending the weekend looking at over 200 beautiful trucks, I stayed around on Sunday to see the winners and much to my surprise, my truck got 1st place. While I was very pleased at that time, I must be honest that was over 10 years ago and the truck is not quite as nice as it was at that time. While it is still in awesome condition, it now does have a few, nicks, dings and bruises. I would have to guess that the engine now has about 3000 miles on it, but everything runs and works perfectly.