'60-'66 Chevy/GMC Enthusiasts

canislatrans54

New member
I have a question for any car builders/hot rodders, who are interested in '60-'66 Chevy/GMC pickups.

Why do people insist on putting the Custom Cab emblems on trucks that are/were NOT Custom Cabs?
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I realize that they "dress up" the trucks.
But I just have never understood it.

I grew up around the '60-'66 Chevys.
(My fave was always the '62. It was the first year for the non-bubbled hood & single headlights. And it was the last year for the torsion-bar front suspension.)
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My dad drove them from '60 until the mid-'80s, for daily drivers, farm vehicles & hunting trucks.
We always had anywhere from 2-6 drivable trucks on the farm. And several more stashed around for parts.
Except for the internal engine parts, there isn't much I don't know about that era of trucks.
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So, I know, that those trucks didn't come from the factory w/Custom Cab emblems unless they had the large back window.
But, I constantly see "rebuilt" or hot rodded standard cab trucks...on the street & at car shows...with the emblems.
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For trucks I`m more fond of the next generation `67-`72. My first 4x4 purchase was a `69 3/4 Ton 4 speed, 4" lift 4.56 rear gear, Rockwell transfer case-(not so great full time unit, but w/lock out hubs) The truck was a beast...and it had a custom cab emblem on the door..not sure if it was from factory, but the truck had bucket seats and console??
For cars, I have always liked `66-`67 Chevelle SS, my dad owned a `66 SS 396..lost pictures of it
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and pictures and trophys from his 55 chev. drag car
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I currently have a `68 Corvette project in the works..need more time and especially more money!
Any year Chevy is good for me though
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I can't speak for the '67-'72 series.
I never was around many of those.

But, if it had buckets & a console, it may have been.
Do you remember if the emblem said "Custom" or did it say "CST"?
I do know the "CST" was a step above the "Custom" in that series.
I don't remember if the "Cheyenne" package started in '69, or if it was '70. That was the top package at the time.

In '73, with the re-style, they also came out with the newer packages, like "Scottsdale", "Bonanza" & "Silverado".
Interstingly enough, my 1st vehicle (that I owned, not 1st driven), was a '76 1/2 ton that had a "Bonanza" exterior package & a "Scottsdale" interior package.
Dang, I miss that truck!!!LOL
 
IIRC..it said CUSTOM..I bought the truck in AZ ~1990 had lots of fun with it, then drove it back to NE and traded it for down payment on a new `93 Silverado.

Recently traded the `93 (reg.cab.)for more cab space (now that mini-me will be hunting too).The new ride is a `03 Avalance Z71 that when new the sticker price was almost 43k..is that rediculous or what?
 
Yes, the current pricing of all autos & trucks are outrageous.
I'd love to own a new/or newer truck, but I just can afford the payments & insurance.
That's one reason I still drive an old '91 F150 that I bought a few years ago for $1000.
Sometime this year, (I hope, once I get enough moolah saved), I'm going to either replace the motor, or rebuild what I have...'cause it's getting pretty tired.
 
I`ll keep an eye out for a good motor;I have quite a few gear head friends.(IIRC- a guy gave me a 91 Ford about 10 years ago..good motor but had no title LOST)
I will e-mail you some pictures of my cousins chevy PU that is in the `60-`66 era. it will be for sale soon.
 
My first new vehicle was a '65 half ton p/u. 6 cyl, std. transmission, posi-track dif. w/heater. Price was $2145.00 out the door including license plates/tax/title/insurance.

Put a new short block in it @ 143,000 miles and decided to replace the original water pump on it at that time as the bearing was a bit sloppy. I did put two radiators on it and painted it twice as it sat out in very salty/acidic atmosphere and fins would rot out and lose heat transfer. Put one set of brake shoes on the rear and two sets of front shoes. That's about all I can remember as far as maintenance on it.

Drove it 15 years and sold it for $1400.00. Don't figure it owed me too much and was very likely the best vehicle I've ever owned.

Regards,
hm
 
It all visual. And they probable hope the emblem might manage to make a few bucks come sale time. I myself love the 67-72 line. I am amazed at how much bs people to pull when they are selling vehicles. Here are my 2, I have a 72 3/4 3wd camper special loaded (motor being built now) and my 72 blazer.

Here are pics of each:

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Truck...
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The motor I am just wrapping up building for the pick up:
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my favorite truck i ever owned was a 69 camper special with the 396(in 79 and 80).
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tooo fun to hot rod
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and i forgot to keep the shiney side up
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.
they still hold up better to being parked on its cab then the new trucks do
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looked like yours only green elks.
did better 1/4 miles then my 70 road runner did with a 440 police intercepter.
road runner would try to fly at 160 mph. scared the want of a hot rod right out of me.
front end raised and i lost site of the interstate
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. i took it home and pulled the engine
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dad asked if i blew it up?
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i answered "no if i drive it again i'm going to die"
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i sold it and the factory 440 mag for 500 bucks.
sure wish i had it now. they are worth some big bucks now.
 
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One of the best things you can do for one of these early trucks is to put a mid 70's Camaro/Nova/Firebird subframe under it. If you use a Z28 or Trans Am you will have disc brakes, quicker steering ratio, beefier swaybars and will have a much better driving machine when done. A 66 Chevy truck with stock steering doesn't drive very well compared to a newer model which becomes important after adding some power.
 
I guess they put "Custom Cab" on their plain Jane Truck to spice it up a little...same as a 6 Cylinder Camaro with Z-28 emblems!
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I would rather see someone Restore an Old Truck or Car and keep it Original and not try to make it into something the Die Hard Car Nuts know is a Fake!


Personally I'm like "Elks" and prefere the 1967-72 Chevy Truck Body Styles....anything Old and Nice thrills me to death...Don't get me started on talking about the GTO's cause I eat sleep and breathe the 1964-72 GTO's and love the Firebirds,Bonneville's,Catalina's and 2+2 Pontiacs also.


I'm into the 1969 GTO and Lemans the most but have several of the 1966 Tempest and a '66 Catalina 4-door amoung several others.I have one 1969 GTO,a '69 Judge in Carousel Red (Orange) that needs restored,a '69 LeMans 2-door Hardtop and a 1969 Lemans Convertible...the list goes on!
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