The year 1959 saw the most radical engineering and styling changes for Chevrolet and GMC light-duty pickups since General Motors-branded trucks were introduced to the public early in the 20th century. The 1960 model year brought the arrival of the Chevy C10 series trucks, succeeding the 1955-59 Chevy Task Force series trucks. With the introduction of 1960s styling, Chevy C10 trucks were the first Chevy and GMC pickups equipped with independent front suspension (IFS), which replaced the non-independent straight axle found on Chevy and GMC trucks from 1959.
One of the biggest trends in enjoying classic trucks is customizing classic trucks, and it has only been the past 10 years when the first series of Chevy C10 and GMC trucks have risen to their highest point in collector popularity.
The new 1960 Chevy C10 series was a radical departure with torsion bar front suspension, and then in 1963 Chevy C10 and GMC trucks adopted conventional double A-arm with coil-spring IFS. The problem with 1960-1962 Chevy C10 trucks with torsion bar front suspension is that replacement parts are scarce and expensive when found. In addition, torsion bar IFS didn’t prove out to provide the ride quality expected. In the attached photos with subheads, we will point out some of the distinguishing characteristics, both good and bad, that will help one to decide which year of the first series of Chevy C10 and GMC trucks will fit their needs best.
The year 1959 saw the most radical engineering and styling changes for Chevrolet and GMC light-duty pickups since General Motors-branded trucks were introduced to the public early in the 20th century. The 1960 model year brought the arrival of the Chevy C10 series trucks, succeeding the 1955-59 Chevy Task Force series trucks. With the introduction of 1960s styling, Chevy C10 trucks were the first Chevy and GMC pickups equipped with independent front suspension (IFS), which replaced the non-independent straight axle found on Chevy and GMC trucks from 1959.
One of the biggest trends in enjoying classic trucks is customizing classic trucks, and it has only been the past 10 years when the first series of Chevy C10 and GMC trucks have risen to their highest point in collector popularity.
The new 1960 Chevy C10 series was a radical departure with torsion bar front suspension, and then in 1963 Chevy C10 and GMC trucks adopted conventional double A-arm with coil-spring IFS. The problem with 1960-1962 Chevy C10 trucks with torsion bar front suspension is that replacement parts are scarce and expensive when found. In addition, torsion bar IFS didn’t prove out to provide the ride quality expected. In the attached photos with subheads, we will point out some of the distinguishing characteristics, both good and bad, that will help one to decide which year of the first series of Chevy C10 and GMC trucks will fit their needs best.
1963 Chevy C10 / Custom Cab Big-Window
The year 1963 brought Chevy C10 trucks major engineering changes to the frame, suspension, and base six-cylinder engine while marking the last year for a dual-pod dashboard and wrap-around windshield. The 1963 Chevy C10 grille was a one-year-only design with round headlight doors that foretold the coming of identical 1964-66 Chevy C10 grilles with square headlight doors. The base model grille was stamped steel painted white, and the Custom grille was anodized aluminum. In 2020, the 1963 has become the most sought-after first series Chevy C10 truck.
1960 Chevy C10 / Comes with V-8 or six-cylinder engine
In terms of mass appeal and resale value, the 1960-61 Chevy C10 trucks with a dual-pod hood are the least desirable, but the good news is the hood redesigned for 1962 Chevy C10 trucks will bolt on without modification. A tradition started in 1955 with the introduction of a V-8 engine option; the hood emblem up until 1961 will have a V under the Bow Tie, indicating a V-8 engine is under the hood on an unmolested example. The 1960-66 Chevy C10 and GMC trucks are the easiest of all trucks to convert from a Small-Window cab into a Big-Window cab thanks to the Big-Window indentation present in Small-Window cabs.
1961 Chevy C10 / C10 Changes for 1961
Chevrolet fired all its guns at once with the introduction of the 1960 Chevy C10 truck, so in the interest of saving production costs, Chevy made few exterior changes for 1961: adapting Bow Tie-styled turn signals, slightly different grille center, and a new hubcap design replacing the ever-popular 1955-60 hubcaps. New for 1961, Apache 10 emblems appeared on each side of the hood. The Fleetside bed was an all-new style for 1960, but the Stepside bed was a carry-over design that began with the Second Series 1955 Chevy truck and ended in 1966, with a new Stepside bed design appearing with the introduction of the second-series 1967 Chevy C10 truck.
1962 Chevy C10 / Last year for 235ci six-cylinder engine
The year 1962 saw the end of the Apache nameplate for the Chevy C10 truck. A new “Easy-View Styling” hood combined with a completely different grille provided a cleaner look that has inspired many a 1960-61 Chevy C10 truck owner to ditch their dual-pod hood once the ’62s came out. 1962 was the last year for the much-adored Chevy Stovebolt I-6 engine, standard equipment in base model C10 trucks, and also the X-braced drop-frame design and torsion bar IFS. From 1960 to 1966, there were two different cab floors, a low-tunnel for the base three-speed stick transmission and high-tunnel for the compound four-speed stick transmission. For the customizer interested in lowering his Chevy C10, the high-tunnel provides more room to tuck the exhaust up higher for better ground clearance. The high-tunnel floor also works better for automatic transmission conversions.
1960-1963 GMC / How are Chevy C10 and GMC different?
As late as 2005, GMC made heavier-duty trucks (GMC Sierra versus the Chevy Silverado). They have larger wheels, with bigger front brakes, for example. The base 235ci six-cylinder Chevrolet Stovebolt engine from 1959 carried on until 1962 for Chevy C10 trucks, while on August 10, 1959, GMC announced its new series of pickups would be powered by a 305ci V-6 engine replacing the legendary 270ci “Jimmy” GMC I-6. In 2020, the wisest engine choice for a customized 1960-1966 GMC or Chevy C10 truck is a Vortec or LS conversion—think of the Vortec as an iron-block LS.
1964 Chevy C10 / Can you find C10 body parts?
For Chevy C10 trucks built between 1964 and 1966, the exterior appearance is virtually indistinguishable. The side emblems and their placement give away the year model, but the grille and headlight doors are exactly the same. This is good for parts availability because aftermarket parts manufacturers need quantity to bring the price of manufacturing down. That said, the quality and materials of a genuine Chevrolet part are better than what can be found on the aftermarket. The gauge (thickness) of a genuine 1960 to 1966 Chevy bumper is heavier, and genuine Chevrolet grilles were made from stamped steel and painted white, or from brightly polished anodized aluminum for Custom Cab models made—but be thankful there are decent-looking aftermarket parts available.
1964 Chevy C10/ Longbed cost versus shortbed
A brand-new long bed was an extra cost option over the price of the base model’s standard short bed. It’s the way of the Chevy C10 world; the long bed option always costs extra over the price of a short bed, but a short bed is always worth more in the world of used Chevy C10 trucks. Shown is a fully loaded 1964 Chevy C10 Custom Cab Fleetside long bed. In the used classic Chevy C10 truck market, it would bring approximately $10K less than a comparably equipped 1964 Chevy C10 Custom Cab Fleetside short bed in the same condition.
1966 Chevy C10 / Backup lights standard
The fast way to identify the 1966 model year, provided the 1966 Chevy C10 Fleetside or Stepside truck is unmolested, is that the rearview will find backup lights mounted on the rear fenders adjacent on a Stepside and under the taillights on a Fleetside. A rear bumper was not standard equipment for any 196066 Chevy C10 or GMC truck, excluding the Suburban. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) optional rear bumper was available chrome-plated or painted white to match a white grille. A third genuine Chevrolet option, slang named a “camper bumper,” was the step-type rear bumper: “A rear bumper with large, flat step area is offered for all pickups.”
1966 Chevy C10 / New color names for 1966
The styling and body aspects of the 1966 Chevy C10 were generally unchanged from 1965, with the series designation plate the only way to distinguish between a 1965 C10 and 1966 C10. The surest way to identify a year model, provided a Chevy C10 truck has never been repainted, is to use the paint color. For instance, 1966 saw four former colors eliminated from the color palette and four new colors added, maintaining a choice of 15 solid colors. The new 1966 colors are Light Green, Dark Aqua, Silver, and Saddle. These colors replaced the 1965 colors of Light Green, Maroon, Light Yellow, and Fawn. Metallic enamel was used for the new Dark Aqua, Silver, Saddle, and the carryover color from 1965, Turquoise metallic.
1960-1966 GMC / Rear suspension unlike Chevy C10
Looking at the rear of a GMC truck and a Chevy C10 truck, the obvious difference is the brand names on the tailgate. The difference that doesn’t meet the eye between the two makes is the rear suspension. In 1960 Chevy C10 trucks revised the rear suspension from parallel leaf springs in 1959 to coil springs with trailing arms. Between the two, coil springs ride better than leaf springs, but burdened with a heavier load, coils springs will make the truck’s rear end shimmy and sway like a willow tree. With GMC’s reputation for work trucks, all 1960-66 GMC half-ton pickups came standard with leaf springs. Interestingly, a GMC could be special ordered with coil springs, or a Chevy C10 with parallel leaf springs.
1960-1966 Chevy C10 Truck & GMC Truck Buyer’s Guide
The distinguishing characteristics, both good and bad, of these notable GM trucks.
