Hi. I'm new to the board and I've come to see if the good people here can help me narrow down a pickup truck model to focus on as a rebuild project. Lately I've been learning some about the 60-66 trucks and decided this is the style I'd like to focus on. But before I get into the project details, a little about myself..

I'm a self taught reasonably competent mechanic that's been doing all my car maintenance (except deep engine, clutch or trans work) for the last 20 years or so. I have some body (bondo, primer and wet sanding) experience but haven't done much in the way of dent removal or panel replacement. Although I don't have a lot of welding experience mig welding comes naturally enough. If I don't know how to do something I ask questions, and with good advice can usually get the job done.

So, what I'm looking for.. Basically I'd like to find a good, what I'd call 'atomic era' truck of early to mid 60s (or 50s possibly) to get into good shape and use as a work truck. After getting it right mechanically and with a great body and paint job, it would be used primarily to travel to bid on residential and commercial painting jobs. Basically it would be used as a selling point to illustrate the quality of work we do as a company.

Requirements for the truck is to be gas efficient, which would probably mean an in-line 6 engine paired with an auto trans w/ overdrive. And to be comfortable and drivable... meaning power steering, disc brakes and a/c. It would need to handle stop and go city driving, as well as be able to do short hops of 65 mph safely on the interstate. Hauling duties would be minimal.

The model I've gotten to know best so far are the 60-66 Chevy c10s, although I'm open to just about anything including the same era f100s or Internationals, or I even sort of like the 50s Chevy Advance Design models.

So that's about it. You guys have an opinion on what model trucks of this era would be a good candidate for what I'm looking to do?

 

GM Styling director Harley Earl's Advanced Design Chevy & GMC trucks were introduced in 1947, available thru early 1955.

I don't know diddly about Chevy, GMC, Cornbinder, or Dodge trucks, but I do know Ford and Studebaker trucks.

IMO, look for a 1965/66 F100 2WD .. Features like power disc brakes and power steering are a bolt on swap from 1973/79 F100 2WD & 1975/79 F150 2WD

However, if you are over 6' tall, these cabs are tight with limited leg room. Steering wheel can be very close to the stomach.

 

I have used my 66 F100 Shrek as a DD, manual steering, manual brakes. It has the 240 I6, T18, 3.70's and 265/70/15 and I get 18 mpg running to Fresno and back, and 13+ running around in the mtns.
Your options on what you want to do are up to you, but IMO, the Slicks are the best

 

I hear you guys. I really do like the 60-66 f100s, but I'm liking the same era c10s too. Unfortunately I'm hearing the f100s are harder to find parts for vs. the c10s.

What would be the major differences in achieving what I'm wanting in a f100 vs. a c10?

 

I believe any of the brands you mention could accomplish your goal. (Ford, Chevy, International). All of these trucks were driven when new.

It all boils down to personal preference.

Big mistake would be wanting someone else to make up your mind for you. You'll never know if you made a good decision or not.

Chad

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Chevy outsold Ford in the 1960's, Dodge was a distant 3rd, followed by GMC, Jeep and International.

Studebaker was dead last and there were no Studebaker trucks (or GT Hawks) assembled after December 1963.

There are more Chevy repro parts than Ford, but none of the Ford truck parts will be difficult to find.

As I said in post #2, 1960 Ford trucks are totally different than 1961/66 trucks.

 

65 and up, so you can swap in OEM disc brakes from later models. (i-beam suspension)

if you can make yourself fall in love with 73-79 years, it'll make life easier since they came with discs from the factory. i love my '65, but seatbelts and discs are a big draw.