GMC K10 Panel

[60-66]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Very nice inside and out. Is the interior painted with Nissan Sunlit Sand?

The Nissan color is too gold . I've used it once before , it doesn't match the factory Fawn color at all. On this truck I did not paint the back half , yet . The interior roof and panel , wheel tubs are still original paint. TCP Global has the correct paint in Lacquer or Enamel. We used Lacquer in this truck on all Fawn surfaces , mainly because of the low gloss straight out of the gun. The TCP paint matched the original interior color that I didnt paint, perfectly . The rear panel doors pictured above are TCP paint but the jambs and walls are original paint yet for a better comparison .

[yote1234]

That is JUST SO A W E S O M E. i love that color and the perfection you are pouring into it. your a master restorer. beautiful...

[factorystock]

Beautiful job on the interior, thanks for additional photos. Jon, your probably already aware of this, but others may not be, your GMC appears to be equipped the the chrome front end equipment option. This option could be purchased on a deluxe ( base model) that normally would have had a painted front end. The full "Custom" trim would have came with cloth-vinyl seat, white door panels, arm rests and the "Custom" emblem. These era GMC's literally can be built a variety of different ways from the factory.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Beautiful job on the interior, thanks for additional photos. Jon, your probably already aware of this, but others may not be, your GMC appears to be equipped the the chrome front end equipment option. This option could be purchased on a deluxe ( base model) that normally would have had a painted front end. The full "Custom" trim would have came with cloth-vinyl seat, white door panels, arm rests and the "Custom" emblem. These era GMC's literally can be built a variety of different ways from the factory.

So , Factorystock , I finally received the vinyl material for my 66 GMC from SMS . I've been debating on exactly which way to go with the seat material since I've had so much time to think about it. Interior fabric questions have come up now and I've been researching Data books and GMC parts books. I cannot find evidence of GMC Panel truck bucket seats getting a Custom Seat cloth. Even on Chevrolet panels which my brother had a 65 Custom, it had a vinyl bucket seat . This truck of mine left the factory with a Suburban seat ,which was a special order, but I really feel Panels never had Custom cloth seats. Any thoughts ? Or Factory photos of 66 Panel or other year interiors ?

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 60-66

but I really feel Panels never had Custom cloth seats. Any thoughts ?

IMO, I believe you are correct. The panel was considered a hardcore business type vehicle where the vast majority of buyers were more interested in seat durability than comfort. I agree, info on panels is much more difficult to find, pretty much clumped together with the surburban. This '66 literature photo is very telling though, shows a "CUSTOM" with usual bright exterior features, but, low and behold, the seat is the all vinyl. However, I would never say never, the "CUSTOM" cloth seat of a surburban could have been "SPECIAL ORDERED" even though it may not have been a regular option.

[60-66]

GMC Panels seem to be the toughest to find any information, or survivor pictures of. Thank you for that picture . Next question for your library . 1966 GMC Custom seat cloth , Having a debate with 55-72 GM trucks , Steve M, on when they started using that material . I have a 1965 that is low miles with it but we also know the Colored Green seat pattern was used in 65 , thats the same basic pattern from 1962-1965 . So thats making the conversation about the Fawn material interesting . Ill post photos .

[60-66]

This we know was used 1962-1965 in GMC .

[60-66]

And This is 1965-1966 but was it used in 1964 ? That we cant find proof of

[60-66]

And heres the pattern in question ? Is it 1965 ? This picture is from a 1965 Suburban that has had multiple changes and could have been swapped into the truck ?

[factorystock]

All '62-'64 GMC customs had the same color coordinated vinyl cloth seat upholstery and pattern in Delta Green, Terrace Blue, Varsity Blue and Silver Fawn (first photo). In '65 the custom upholstry pattern was changed to a plaid design and came only in Medium Fawn (second photo). In '66, the custom came in dark fawn vinyl with plaid pattern (third photo). Not sure if the '65 plaid cloth is the same brownish color as the '66 plaid cloth. The deluxe '62-'66 seats were all Medium Fawn vinyl with charcoal trim, however the '62-'64 all vinyl simulated stitching pattern was different than the '65-'66 all vinyl simulated stitching pattern.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 60-66

And heres the pattern in question ? Is it 1965 ?

It is a '64 Silver Fawn GMC seat.

[60-66]

Interesting , my old 65 GMC Custom had the Delta Green seat in it and this truck wasn't played with . But when it comes to GMC , Im seeing overlap in several areas and titled years not matching with actual driveline dates . The F series 1964 1965 1966 GMC is not always black and white like a Chevrolet it seems . Thank you again for your insight .

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 60-66

But when it comes to GMC , Im seeing overlap in several areas and titled years not matching with actual driveline dates .

Thats the truth, the overlap always throws a monkey wrench into the debate, especially on those units very early or very late into the model year. Notice the arm rest, it is the color coordinated '64 style. Most people, including myself, have a tuff time distinguishing a '64 from a '65 GMC.

[gmtech68]

If you really want to confuse the issue, look into a Canadian GMC. Serial number is between the driver's door hinges. I don't think the V-6 was even available. Coil springs seem to be the norm on 1/2 and 3/4 tons. Mine has a body colored firewall and box floor. There seem to be a hundred other things that are different that are not immediately obvious.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by gmtech68

If you really want to confuse the issue, look into a Canadian GMC. Serial number is between the driver's door hinges. I don't think the V-6 was even available. Coil springs seem to be the norm on 1/2 and 3/4 tons. Mine has a body colored firewall and box floor. There seem to be a hundred other things that are different that are not immediately obvious.

Canadian GMCs were based off of a Chevrolet platform . They used Chevrolet dash knobs ,steering wheels for a Custom ,same frame and engines etc and in some the 60-61 style GMC gauges in later 64-65 years . Yes the can be confusing

[60-66]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Thats the truth, the overlap always throws a monkey wrench into the debate, especially on those units very early or very late into the model year. Notice the arm rest, it is the color coordinated '64 style. Most people, including myself, have a tuff time distinguishing a '64 from a '65 GMC.

One thing Ive noticed in 1964 GMC vin tags are spot welded , 1965 GMC round rivets and 1966 rosette rivets . But , here again theres overlap

[factorystock]

Another clue as to whether your panel was ordered as a "custom" or ordered with separate "custom" features would be the absence of white door panels, right side sun visor and "Custom" emblems. Again, not really sure of how "custom" panels were built and not a big fan of brochure illustrations that have been doctored for use year after year as a source of credibility. Build sheets and or dealer invoices seem to be the only way to shed light on this obscure subject, unless another survivor panel appears on the scene, but won't be holding my breath for probably one of the rarest of the rare GMC models.

[Ledslinger]

As noted, your panel seems to not be a full custom, but ordered with a chrome grill and bumpers. The seat is a bigger mystery, as it seems to not be the material found in a 1964-66 Suburban front bench and jump seat. Your seat is the same as my 1962 GMC K1000 Suburban with Deluxe interior. I'd guess the seat was installed in place of the factory panel bucket seats some time after delivery, either from NOS or a used Suburban source. That may mean for full orginality, buckets would have to be installed, but I wouldn't. I'd reupholster the bench/jump seat in either Deluxe or Custom vinyl of that year. Probably custom. That seat cover would go great in my 1962 K1000.

If as you think, the bench/jump seat was ordered and installed at the factory, it is odd that it wouldn't have the same vinyl as used in that year of Deluxe interiors.

[MusicMan70]

Or Factory photos of 66 Panel or other year interiors?

Here are photo/s of a 68 GMC Panel with CUSTOM badging and a Bench seat from an old eBay listing.

Not sure if this helps the discussion because of the year. I can always delete it if you wish.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by Ledslinger

The seat is a bigger mystery, as it seems to not be the material found in a 1964-66 Suburban front bench and jump seat. Your seat is the same as my 1962 GMC K1000 Suburban with Deluxe interior. I'd guess the seat was installed in place of the factory panel bucket seats some time after delivery, either from NOS or a used Suburban source. That may mean for full orginality, buckets would have to be installed, but I wouldn't. I'd reupholster the bench/jump seat in either Deluxe or Custom vinyl of that year. Probably custom. That seat cover would go great in my 1962 K1000.

If as you think, the bench/jump seat was ordered and installed at the factory, it is odd that it wouldn't have the same vinyl as used in that year of Deluxe interiors.

Interesting comments , Ive been researching this truck for many years. This truck , before I restored it , had and still has the original seat and material ( I finally have my new material exact from SMS ! after two years ) .

Both , Chevrolet and GMC Custom Panels, did not get the custom cloth seat material. Suburban yes , Panels no .

The pattern on this GMC was used 1962-1966 and is specific to Panel truck seats and a few others, called Colonial Grain Vinyl in Medium fawn with Charcoal Fawn sides. The seat itself , yes its known as a Suburban seat, but , was available from the factory under "Special Instalations" , order number E-01023 ,it was not done by the dealer , or later in its life and you can tell that by the factory welded rectangular nuts under the floor. Its 100% original to this truck .

Both my 66 GMC Data book and my Chevrolet Data books show this seat option for Panel trucks. Interestingly , you could also order the Panel Truck single bucket seat in a pickup or Suburban as well with the same special order number , GMC E-01023 or Chevrolet 9838 .

As for the Custom option , I cannot find another GMC Custom Panel, other than the 63 I had years ago , neither came with the white door panels . This is Panel trucks only now, but Yes, Custom Suburban had the white door panels as did pickups. As for the Custom side emblems behind the doors , those were filled with body filler till I find a mint pair to put on the truck. Those will be on soon . Still have several things to finish on the truck . Hopefully those get done yet this year .

I will post the seat info in the next post .

[60-66]

Heres the pictures

[60-66]

This is from the Chevrolet 66 Data book concerning the seat

[60-66]

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

Here are photo/s of a 68 GMC Panel with CUSTOM badging and a Bench seat from an old eBay listing.

Not sure if this helps the discussion because of the year. I can always delete it if you wish.

Great pictures MusicMan70 ! Its an interesting discussion to say the least. Notice on that 68 Spid Sheet it basically uses the same Special Order number as 65 66 Chevrolet 9838 for the Suburban full width seat that I posted above . Thank you !

[60-66]

Heres a great document on a 1962 GMC K1000 Panel ordered with the Suburban front seat

[Ledslinger]

60-66 - If I was out to lunch on my ideas, sorry. I hope it at least they caused you to solidify what you know. Your truck is unbelievable.

I'm also trying to keep mine original, but not restored orginal.