1963 Chevy Suburban Carryall

1963 Chevy Suburban

I bought this truck in 1998. It was stored in a barn in Cathey's Valley,CA with several other vehicles. While the barn was burning, they managed to push this truck out to safety. All of the other vehicles burned up. Seeing it out, I located the owner and worked a deal.

I was planning to do everything myself, for myself. It was my third 60-66 Subn. I had a lot of miles with them. Started slow. The truck had not run in a long time. It had a 235 6cyl and 3 on the tree. I liked the three speed, and I swapped out the 235 for a 250 6cyl. The front fenders and rockers were rusty, but everything else was pretty straight. Good quarter panels, roof edges, tail gate, rear bumper (all the stuff that matters on a suburban, as it doesn't interchange with the more common pickup trucks). Floor pan behind the seats was scaley, but not rusted through. I scuffed it and coated with a layer of fiberglass as a rust preventative.

I replaced the fenders with a set from a 64 pickup. Good fenders with no rust or dents. The driver side it somehow misaligned, so the seam at the door isnt just right, but I thought that would be ok for a 'driver'. Welded in new repro rocker panels. I started on the bodywork. I painted the interior. It came out pretty good. I couldn't seem to get the windshield pillars compound curves without running. I tried several times, finally decided that was my paint signature. I peeled out the roofing interior. The was surface rust behind it, so I painted with POR 15 to keep from rusting. Never found correct material to re-pad the roof. I painted the roof and one quarter panel, and put the project on hold for a long time.

Finally got her painted in 2007. Been garaged or covered most of the time since then. Paint has held up really well. There is on small bubble forming in the driver door lower front corner.

Side windows are new tinted glass. The front rubbers are from Steele. The back ones are a cheaper version that was all that was available 20 years ago. They were installed improperly so the corners aren't right. Should be redone with Steele rubber. Door rubbers installed but slipping out at corners. Doors are snug and tight, need a solid slam because of the new rubber and not much use. Tail gate is good latches functioning properly. Lift gate is good, strut rods good (and impossible to find). Original windshield has mild scratching but not interfering with straight ahead sight, installed with new rubber.

I rethought the engine and bought a 283 that came out of a Ford street rod. Disassembled enough to check everything. It was good. It had a fuel sucking manifold, so I put on an Iron Corvette manifold and a 4 bbl carb. Rams horn exhaust manifolds. No exhaust pipes yet.

Original front seats. Driver installed, needs recovering, but the pattern is there to match. Have the passenger tip seat, just set inside. Also have a full wide 'third' seat needing recovering.

Dash needs reassembly. I have the original gages with idiot lights as well as a needle set, and I also thought about modern upgrades, so buyer decides.

Havent done much underneath. Pretty dirty, but solid. One of the cab supports has a rust hold (behind driver) but the rest are good. I haven't done anything to suspension, so front end kit is in order. Fuel tank was cleaned and coated. I have new master cylinder, brake line, and shoes to redo the brakes as stock, but there again, never decided. Disc conversion, booster upgrade, or stock. I think Id keep the drums but convert to a dual master cyl. Parts are there for stock. Buyer decides.

Front bumper is new. Rear is fresh rechromed original.

Tires are a good matched set of Michellins. Original wheels powdercoated white.

1998 CA Title in my name. Registered as Non-Op with no fees due.

I live in a remote area. You can get your truck and car trailer in, but no turn around for semi-trucks. If shipping, I can trailer to Mariposa to meet the carrier. Please make arrangements in advance.

doesn't want to shift right now and stuck in gear as the shift rod gromets are missing. Ive ordered some and hope to install before it gets picked up.

See more pics roysvintagecars

barefoot gas pedal not included.