1963 C50 Chevrolet Rescue

[pick121]

Well, why not ANOTHER project? Found this 1-1/2 Ton truck in my neighbor’s yard. I told them, don’t ever sell it without talking to me first...they said you can have it, would just love to see it running again! They say it’s been parked “a few years”
This will be a long time to get going because my wife will kill me if I don’t get my 1964 C10 on the road before I even tell about this C50 but I am excited about it. There are a lot of similarities between the C10/20s and the C50 so I look forward to sharing the project with the group and also getting advice.

[Toomanytoys]

I like it, that's a Hoss.

At first glance I thought it was a 62 because of the headlight bezels, then realized they must have carried them over for 63, especially after looking at the fender emblems. Which engine is in it? Need more pictures, what's the plan?

[pick121]

Originally Posted by Toomanytoys

I like it, that's a Hoss.

At first glance I thought it was a 62 because of the headlight bezels, then realized they must have carried them over for 63, especially after looking at the fender emblems. Which engine is in it? Need more pictures, what's the plan?

Same here on the headlight bezels but the VIN doesn’t lie, plus fender emblems.
I will get more photos next week and investigate the engine and trans.
Some fun history about it, it was a yard truck at Caterpillar plant in San Leandro, CA so the paint code is “SPEC” it was painted Safety Yellow originally, to match the tractors, you can see the paint on the door jambs. Then somebody painted it green at some point
It has a split rear end and also a PTO that ran a compressor, compressor is long gone.
The current owner said it was purchased and the bed was modified to haul cattle (he is a cattle rancher)
I will get more history from him about it.
He did say non-original seat was added at some point, there is a lot of rust in the door bottoms - you can see through them! As well as a big rust hole in the engine bay fender well but other than that not too bad.


What’s up with the air cleaner!

[pick121]

forgot to say, plan is to just get her running and clean her up cosmetically. Needs a bath and cobweb dusting!
After that I want to keep it as stock as I can, with the only big changes power brakes, rear frame mounted fuel tank (2 reasons, safety-get tank and fumes out of cab, and would rather not deal with the issues of rotten gunky rusty old fuel)
See about getting a flatbed with removable stake sides and add a removable/rotating gooseneck ball as we use those kind of trailers often.
It will be used on our ranch for hauling and driving around looking nostalgic haha

I definitely don’t want a modern motor, air bags, disc brakes, anything like that. They sure look awesome but I really want a useful work truck while preserving it from any more damage due to age and weather

I will have to consider paint, whether to keep the green (I have been calling it “The Green Machine”) or get it back to the yellow as a nod to its original use.

[pick121]

[Toomanytoys]

The more I see the more I like it. I totally agree with your plan (not that my opinion really matters). Getting rid of the air dam of a bed and bringing the mirrors is a foot on each side ought to gain you .75 seconds in the 1/4 mile. Personally I like the green better, hit it wth the pressure washer then lightly with a SOS pad, apply linseed oil and leave the patina.

I've got a 62 C10, that's why it caught my eye. The dash is identical, even the steering wheel, the 63 C10s had a big fancy horn bar.

Show your wife this YouTube video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aht7fRgnFcw
Then she'll understand what a great truck it is.

[pick121]

Great video!