[Summit]

Hi, i just did my first post in the introduce yourself forum, so sorry for a repeat in a sense. I'm 21, and really looking into buying myself my first old vehicle to work on. I've stumbled across a 1963 Chevy c10 short box step side, with the 283 V8. I'm by no means a mechanic, but do have somewhat of an understanding of most automotive things. So basically, my questions to y'all are basically what i should be looking for! This far, i've only done a very brief visual on the truck, because the owner is out of town. I did manage to call him though, and the bad part is that he knows absolutely nothing about vehicles...he says all he does is throw in gas and oil, lol. So are there any things to look out for on these trucks? From what i've seen so far, the body looks decent: no apparent rust, a few dents, etc. Peering through the window i can see that the owner previous to the current had redone the interior with some woodgrain on the dash, as well as some newer latemodel buckets. There is what looks to be a B&M shifter coming up through the floor, so i've got no idea whats going to be there transmission wise. Essentially, this truck was modified at one time by an owner, and then sold to another guy whos used it as his dd. Says it runs fine, but blows a little blue smoke on startup. I'll hopefully be bringing a mechanic buddy of mine on tuesday to take it for a drive, so i'll know much more by then. But, any help you guys can give in the mean time would be really helpfull. I do have some pics, but it says they are too big to upload, and i don't know how to make them smaller.

Anyways, thanks for whatever you guys know about these trucks, and any other buying hints you can suggest!

[RCastle]

You are doing the right thing by taking someone with you who knows about cars.Remeber this is a 63 according ot your post.So depending on a few things,it could have been fixed up over the years and there are more things than what you can see,or it could just have gotten the things you mentioned and is essence is still an old truck with a few parts installed.Your friend should crawl under it,with you,look at the suspension.A little blue smoke is no big deal.You will surely do something else instead of keeping a 283 in it if you are wanting to build something out of it.

[MI2600]

I generally look at the body for problems. I can repair replace the mechanical components, but I a bodyman I am not. Also, I'm not familiar with trucks, but a lot of the 60's era cars had/have frame rot. While it can generally be fixed, why start with a major problem.

[Hippie]

Look very closely at the front windshield posts and hinge pillars and around the drip rails for rust or signs of repair. That is a real problem area on these and not easily fixed. You can buy every piece of sheetmetal for that style Chevy EXCEPT those areas. I had to pass on a really solid '63 Panel because those areas were rusted out on it. The only rust on the whole darn truck.

[Summit]

thanks for the help so far guys. I'll be sure to double check everything before i make any decisions. Anything else you guys can suggest checking is more than welcome.

Cheers