Matt's 63 Chevy Truck: January 2009

“Ol’ Green”
1963 Chevy C10 Step-Side Pick-up
In Memory of Uncle Gerald

The history of the truck is well known as it has been in the family since my uncle purchased it new in 1963. The original “Pacific Wonderland” plates remain on the vehicle. It is estimated that the truck had over 200K miles on it at the time of the restore, but the odometer had been broken for a quite a few years.

This truck took many a family trip to campgrounds all over the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Some of the best memories were trips to the coast for camping and clamming over 40 years ago. This was the daily driver for my sister and I as we went through high school. Ol' Green had reached a point where it needed to be retired, or fixed up.

Work began on the total frame-off restoration project in March, 2007 and was completed in February 2008. Matt’s Machine and Parts in The Dalles, OR rebuilt the engine. Correia’s Custom Auto Painting in Albany, OR painted the interior and exterior of the vehicle piece by piece. NW Autofab in Albany, OR contributed in a significant way with the disassembly, body work and reassembly of the vehicle. With the materials available now 45 years later, I believe the truck is actually better than it was when new. Every detail in this total restoration was carefully managed to restore this antique vehicle to show-room condition.

The intent of this project was to restore the vehicle to original stock condition, but utilize current processes and capabilities to improve the quality of the vehicle without compromising the original design. This included taking the vehicle completely down to the frame, sand-blasting it, powder-coating it and building it back up piece by piece. Each body piece was individually sand-blasted, restored, primed and painted. Even original small manufacturing blemishes were fixed along the way. Everything including the color of the interior and exterior, bed, upholstery, etc., was intended to be as originally found on the vehicle. All fasters and hardware were replaced with new parts. Every single component was either rebuilt or replaced. Seat belts were added for safety. The odometer was then reset to zero.

Truck Specifications
Year/Make/Model: 1963 Chevrolet CK10 ½ ton Step-side pick-up truck (Model C1404)
Engine/Horsepower: Straight 292 L-6 Cylinder, 165 hp @ 3800 rpm
Transmission: 3 speed manual synchromesh transmission (three on the tree)
Exterior Color: Glenwood Green (Exterior Paint Code 503, Ditzler 42997)
License – 5R-7602 (Original Oregon Pacific Wonderland Plates)
Gross Vehicle Weight – 4,600 Wheelbase – 115”
Bed – 6 ½ foot bed, Marine spar varnish on yellow pine with stainless steel runners

Shows and results…

2/15/08 to 2/17/08 – Portland Rod and Custom Show (Indoor – Show Judges)
1st Place – Restored Stock Small Block
Best Chassis – Restored Stock / Muscle Car

3/15/08 to 3/16/08 – Eugene Roadster Show (Indoor – Show Judges)
1st Place Best Paint, 2nd Place Best Interior

6/14/08 – Sherwood Cruisin’ (~600 Vehicles)
1st Place – Best Classic Truck (Participant Judging)

6/21/08 – Dallas Cruisers Traffic Jam Show and Shine
1st Place - Pickup-Delivery Sedan Post 1960 (Participant Judging)

6/28/08 – Corvallis Boys and Girls Club Speed Trap Show and Shine (~85 Vehicles)
1st Place - Trucks 1960-1972 (Participant Judging)

7/17/08 to 7/18/08 – Springfield Cruz (500 Vehicles)
1st Place – Stock Pick-Ups (Participant Judging), Coolest – Stock/Restored Pick-Up (Sponsor Judging)

8/8/08 to 8/9/08 – Cruise the Gorge = The Dalles (276 Vehicles)
Best 49-69 Truck (Show Judges)

8/10/08 – Dufur Threshing Bee Car Show (~100 Vehicles)
Best Truck Stock (Participant Judging)

1/31/09 – Winter Rod and Speed Show - Linn County Fairgrounds - Albany, OR

What a great show for a great cause by a great group of guys. I was extremely honored that Ol' Green was selected as one of 5 special Sponsors Awards and was "Lee's Pick" at the Winter Rod and Speed Show on Jan 31. There were 103 cars at this indoor show. Good luck Cricket. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

9/19/09 – Surf City Car Show, Chinook Winds, Lincoln City, OR (~250 Vehicles)
Trucks - Best Post War Stock (show judges)

Here are some pics that Josh and I snapped on the way to Depoe Bay. There were so many memories in this truck when I was a small child. We took many trips to the coast to go camping, clamming, etc. The truck looks right at home next to the beach.