1963 GMC Ton Short Bed Fleetside Pickup
It was the C/K series of trucks that replaced the Task Force line of trucks, and the first to not be given a tedious generational name. At the same time, GMC began using their own designations to differentiate from Chevrolet, utilizing four digits to represent payload ratings such as 1000 for ton. K was used for GMC on 4x4 trucks only.
For consignment, a 1963 GMC ton short bed fleetside pickup presenting as a great build, a spectacular street rod which left no stone unturned during the build, finished less than 300 miles ago.
Exterior
There are a few colors that stand out as hot rod, resto-mod, or street rod favorites and Candy Apple Red is near the top of the list, if not heading it. The tri-coat here is two stage goodness that's deep and even and offset by the large chrome bumper, the shiny headlight bezels, and the thick grille bar that connects the dual headlights, a potential GMC field mark in this generation. The 17-inch Vision Legend Series wheels, 5 spoke and chrome, vie for your attention too and wear 40 series tires with a date code of late 2021. In profile, the truck hunkers down on the wheels and overall square shape is augmented by the forward leaning A-pillar, the extended roofline, and the body line that starts as the hood latch point and extends through the side of the bed. The clean tail is bumperless and the bed is lined with stunning oak planks and polished aluminum rails. The only imperfection we note is some paint runs on a lower panel.
Interior
The door panels, and much of the interior carries over the candy apple paint, and a black leather insert adorns the door and frames the hardware. Black leather bucket seats feature diamond stitched inserts and the driver's seat has power controls. Both have a lap belt that connects on the outside instead of the inside and the diamond stitching continues on the back panel behind the seats. Remember that forward leaning A-pillar? It creates a curved body line with the door open and brings with it the wrap-around windshield in a fantastic design feature from GM. A Flaming River chrome tilt steering wheel wears a showy 4 spoke steering wheel and it all leads to a polished dash insert that houses Dolphin black faced gauges in a gleaming, show quality presentation. The center stack starts the custom console and it is where we find two more gauges, white faced this time, and a Retro Sound AM/FM radio with Bluetooth. Between the seats, a B&M ratchet shifter, rubber booted and chrome based, is backed by a couple of stainless cup holders. Plush black carpet covers the floor, not perfectly conforming with the body, but in clean condition and topped with protective rubber mats. The walls, pillars, and ceiling all shine with red paint.
Drivetrain
The show continues under the hood where the consignor stated 383ci stroker V8 resides and it has aluminum heads, roller rockers, a Weiand 142 polished supercharger, an aluminum radiator, ceramic coated Sanderson headers, all in a painted engine bay that is spotless. MSD ignition sparks the beast and a 4-barrel carburetor is perched on top. There are lots of polished components in the bay. Setting the truck in motion is a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission sending power to a 10 bolt rear with 3.73 gears and Positraction. Bringing the party to a slow crawl and stop will be power disc brakes in front and power drums in the back.
Undercarriage
Normally the backstage area of a show isn't such a great looking place. But the undercarriage here is very clean and there is nothing to hide! The satin black frame guides the dual exhaust back where, following an H-pipe, FlowMaster Flow FX mufflers interrupt the volume before exiting discreetly in downturned tips behind the rear roll pan. The new wood planks look almost as good underneath as they do on top, and a chrome differential cover adds a bit of shine. One drop of oil on the pan represents all errant fluids we were able to find and the wheel components are clean as a whistle. Coil overs occupy the QA1 suspension in front and a 4 link with coil overs is found in back.
Drive-Ability
Comfortable seats and a clean cabin provide the perfect perch for carefully piloting this ride out of the garage as the dual exhaust announces its presence with authority. And so does the supercharger which stands at the ready to enhance the decent power and acceleration provided by the unboosted V8. Needless to say, it rides more like a car than a work truck from the 60's, tracks well, accelerates with ease, and handles nicely. On our short excursion, we note the tachometer was not working, the wipers didn't wipe, and the horn did not blow. All other functions work as expected. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Vintage trucks come in more variety of alterations than your average sedan or coupe of the same era. They can be lifted, lowered, hot rodded, resto modded, painted to the hilt, or left in patina, providing a flexible platform for your ultimate truck vision. Here's one you might share, a spectacular show truck with some polished muscle under the hood, some glossy wood in the bed, and a sorted interior that needs nothing. Take a bite of this Candy Apple Red treat from GMC.
1001PG1251A
10-1/2 Ton
01-115" Wheelbase
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
G-1963
12571-Sequential Unit Number
A-5,000 GVWR
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
