New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167615611.jpg

First a bit of history. I grew up restoring first gen Firebirds from my Dad and other 60's Pontiacs and then around the time I graduated high school, I made kind of an odd pivot and got into building turbo Volvo's. I'm still a bit of a Volvo fanatic, they are fun for me because they don't really have the same kind of aftermarket following that bigger brands do. It's evolved from junkyard tech into many of us becoming adults who work in engineering fields and making amazing parts for those cars.

BUT... my Grandfather had this 64 C10 since 68. I've ridden in it many times as a kid and even though I'll admit, I'm a bit of an anti chevy snob (I *was* a Firebird guy after all) always had a soft spot for the trucks. Rebuilding this truck was my Dad's way to learn cars as a kid and Grandpa has kept this in the garage since he bought it. I literally have a log book with every tank of gas, maintenance etc dating from 68 to about 3 weeks ago.

Now for the sad part, I inherited this truck about 2 weeks ago. I'm thrilled to have it and glad there wasn't any drama around that but you know how it is. That being said, I know he was excited knowing that I'd keep it going for another 250k miles!

So I have plans for it but I'm also right in the middle of another Volvo build so I'm trying to avoid the cardinal sin of having two project cars apart at the same time LOL. I'll probably just continue to lurk around till I finish the other car up. OK, enough talking, here's some more pictures.

http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167615613.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167615615.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167615614.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167615619.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167615622.jpg
Original color there on the firewall. He had the truck painted in 69 by a buddy but it was clearly worth all of the 25 dollars he paid for the job :lol: That being said, doubled up paint is a lot of why the truck is so solid. Looks a lot better in these photos than the paint does in real life though ;)

http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167615624.jpg
My own kids get to enjoy it too (4th generation to ride in this truck!)

Here's a few past adventures
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/9355416.jpg
My DD in high school
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/9356186.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/9356206.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/39160943.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/39160947.jpg
First turbo volvo
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/85650338.jpg
second. Believe it or not but this one dyno'd 453 at the wheels.
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/48475267.jpg

BTW the fun thing is my day job is www.kauerguitars.com so I'll have to build a matching guitar for the truck when it's done :D

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Those two Firebirds are super slick looking! Grandpa's '64 looks very solid. Keep driving it and enjoy the memories you made with him. I'm not so sure about the Vulva's, though. :)

Actually, that little mustard colored one in the last photo looks fun. The others remind me of Alan on Two and a Half Men.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

If you put enough attention as you've done on the other projects , you'll have one nice looking truck. Not to say it isn't nice right now.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

I’d leave it just the way it is, the memories you make will be priceless!!

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

It's tempting but it's just not in my nature ;)

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

If you put the Volvo parts outside no one will bother them.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

very solid looking truck.......welcome and congrats

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Oh wow that volvo is a sleeper!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Welcome to the forum :D

Grandpa's '64 is quite a nice looking truck. Plus all the past memories and future memories with your kids make it all the more special. Very nice Firebirds too!

I'm not much on Volvo's but I can appreciate the thought, planning and work that goes into them.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

It would be cool to see some old family photos with it in it.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Welcome aboard. Great looking truck and history. Your other rides are very nice. I also have always preferred the Firebird over the Camaro.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Thanks! The volvos are fun for me because they are a challenge and just something you don't see every day. Plus Volvo seems to have a rule: 90% well thought out or over built, 10% dumb idea. The trick is to shave the 10% out ;)

I'm hoping to find photos like that too. I have to dig thru their photo albums here soon.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Wow, that is a nice truck. The only thing I would do is upgrade the brakes.
Welcome.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Nice looking truck for sure man! I would be tempted to let that thing alone as nice of shape as its in, that or just make it so it can be returned to stock if you ever feel like it. On the firebird and volvo front my feelings are if you are a true car guy brands and engine type arent really a factor in liking a car or not, I have had tons of subaru's , toyota trucks, suzuki samurais etc but my first car and still favorite is a 69 Chevelle SS and loving that car has never stopped me from enjoying my other projects. (though $$ has stopped me from enjoying the Chevelle for now sadly)

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

I might be in the minority, but keep the ladder rack (camper rack?) ! Campers, racks, service beds etc are kind of the "in" thing right now. Keep the outside the same, throw a drop on her, and your good to go.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

The P1800 is sweet! Nicely done. The appeal the boxy Volvos must be an acquired taste, one of which, despite the fact that my very first car was a 71 144S, I have not yet acquired. LOL. Those Firebirds are close cousins to Camaros, so we are family.
The truck looks solid. No doubt whatever you do with it will be on the money!

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Thought that name looked familiar. (TBricks) awesome truck.
You can post Volvo stuff here as in Alternate Tinkerings if you get the bug.
Love the Firebirds too.

Subscribed, anxious to see the changes,

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

I actually have the camper shell for it. It's probably going to stay like this for a while. It'll actually be great for when I make lumber runs for work. It's not in the long term though for it.

:D It'll be a while, still have that 245 to finish. I'm actually going to do this truck to match the wagon, might even be a half decent tow vehicle for it. Could look cool with the truck and 245 on a flatbed matching.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Good to see you over here Doug. Did you ever finish that 245 for Theresa? I'm out of the Volvo game myself, been playing with Jeeps then built a Chevelle for my mom and now a '64 C10 for me.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Was this an original California truck I noticed the blue plate

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

As cool as the Volvo's and Firebird's are every family needs a truck. Welcome.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

That's a good point. Asked Dad about it and I guess it was something about when my grandfather added a camper shell to it in the early 70's and needed to go from commercial plates to passenger plates (or vice versa), he got updated plates. He was a police officer so he probably knew the rules and he was a stickler for them.

No, having kids and buying a new house put a pretty good slow down on it but it's over at the body shop. I actually took the truck there over the weekend to check on their progress and to motivate them a bit ("heres the next project. Be a shame if I had to go somewhere else" LOL).

http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167290927.jpg

I've gone from passive to pushing them a bit to have it ready for color by end of the year.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Nice Truck the way it is but I can see wanting to do something with it.
Blue Plates came out in the 70's. A truck needed commercial plates but if you put a camper shell on it you could register it as an automobile instead of a commercial vehicle and get away from paying a weight fee. If you remove the camper shell you will have to register it as a commercial vehicle again or you can get pulled over and cited. Don't ask me how I know. :D

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

The story goes that he got pulled over whilst holding a beer (shame shame) and the plates changed registered immediately. :lol:

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

That's as cool as can be...from the wagon wheels and whites to the rack. I'd upgrade the brakes like Ken said and leave it the way it is.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

I'm certainly enjoying it as is for the moment. Been using it for my day job doing lumber runs and storing customers guitars ;)

http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167742579.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167742580.jpg

The wife's been enjoying it too
http://www.pbase.com/dkauer744/image/167771124.jpg

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Your truck is a true gem!

I wouldn't change a thing!

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

:agree:

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Is your ladder rack just slipped down into the stake pockets?

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

No it’s actually bolted thru the top of the bed rails. Would have been cool if it was in the stake pockets but at one point there was a camper shell and the rack at the same time.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Everything about this truck just says "cool". This is a truck that somebody "loved" and enjoyed owning/ driving.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Thanks! Here’s an update of where it’s at now: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=818874

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Sorry I’m revising my statement. I’m looking at it now and it does go into the stake pockets but also has a bolt on each corner.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Ok, so it's also bolted down.
I want to make something to slide in and out whenever I need it.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Great Truck, and I love the guitars!!! I wish I could play, I took 4 years of lessons and still can't play!

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

I don’t see why you couldn’t skip the bolts on this one. My grandpa was kind of an over do it guy at heart.

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Thanks!! If it’s any consolation I build them and never have time to play them any more lol

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Hello welcome to forum
I love Pontiacs and had a 1969 Firebird convertible same color with a black top. Brings back good memories.
��

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Time to update this thread! Where we left off around beginning of the year I pulled the front clip, 283 and 3 speed to freshen it up. I had a full thread here..

Since then, honestly haven't done much till recently other than just driving it but done a few things recently. First up was acquired a set of Toyota FJ steelies, painted them white and mounted up a set of 235/65/17's:

https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067943.jpg
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067945.jpg
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067944.jpg
(super cool fleet side custom around the corner from my house)

Took me a couple days to warm up to the new wheels but I'm really happy with them now. The modern center caps work well on this look and any tires beat the 20+ year old, wrinkled from sitting flat for years tires that were on there. World of difference.

Next I took the truck on my first proper road trip with it. One of my wood suppliers is in Sonoma about 70 miles from my shop.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CU3Y1E8v2Pk/

https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067952.jpg
About halfway thru filling the bed up with Thermo Pine and Roasted Ash.

Truck did great, 150 miles round trip, got 16mpg! I had to do the math 3 times, couldn't believe it. Just cruised along at 63-65mph behind a like minded semi most of one way then must have had a tail wind coming back home!

Max and I have been going out to the local cars and coffee occasionally..
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067946.jpg
though this trip I had ulterior motives i'll touch on in a minute

Went to the C10 meet at Mickie Grove Park last weekend. My kids are still small enough we can all squeeze in the truck and theres a little zoo at the park so the kids had a good time. Truck was looking good
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067947.jpg
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067953.jpg
(Also I installed a set of VintageCarLED's there, they work great and look original'ish)
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067948.jpg
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067962.jpg
I brought the bedwood guitar- not sure anyone cared but I thought it was neat.

Then the latest project relates to our trip to cars and coffee. That happened to be Max's birthday (weekend) and he out grew his bike so we went to my favorite bike shop that just happened to be the same parking lot (what a plan) and got a new bike. We're at the point where my youngest can ride pretty good now so wanted to work out a way of hauling them around better.

https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067949.jpg
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067950.jpg
This rack worked out great and I was able to just use a pair of slotted L Brackets to bolt it to a some tiedowns my grandfather drilled in probably 40 years ago.
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067954.jpg
Had some help setting it all up
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067965.jgp
https://pbase.com/dkauer744/image/172067951.jpg

That's it! It's funny for all the plans I had when I got this truck, more and more I enjoy it just as it is. Especially after doing a couple freeway trips with out issue (slow but no issue)

Re: New Guy- grandpa's truck
 

Still looks great!
Something to be proud of - especially it being grandpa's truck.