Lakeroadsters' Build Thread: '65 SWB Step

[vwnate1]

Puh-LEEZE !

Nate is a 12 year old internet troll who's on his mommy's computer in the basement .

 

[Rich 5150 69]

I've been going back and forth with the direction to take on widening my bed or fenders.
I like how simple yours looks, and that it gives you more bed space.
Niterider65 in the other forums made his fenders wider, - and I like that look also.
But I'm leaning towards doing it your way because of the above reasons, but also because I have an extra tailgate that I think might work well for what I'm thinking.
I want to run my idea past you - and you can correct any error you see in my thinking.
.
I'm thinking of only adding 1-1/2" to either side.
What I figured I'd do is cut off each end of my extra tailgate and weld it on to my existing tailgate to increase the tailgate's total width 3".
Then I'd use that same extra tailgate for adding the 1-1/2" to each side of the front bed panel.
Then I'd do the rest like you did.
What do you think?

You might be able to use the headboard from a fleetside and just cut it down, not sure if there is any differance between the two, and how bout cutting down the tailgate from a fleetside to work, that would really mess with peoples heads....!

 

[Lakeroadster]

You might be able to use the headboard from a fleetside and just cut it down, not sure if there is any differance between the two, and how bout cutting down the tailgate from a fleetside to work, that would really mess with peoples heads....!

Rich, Pretty much the only similarity between Fleetside and Stepside front panels and tail gates is they were made by Chevrolet....

 

[Lakeroadster]

Another Shop Truck Concept Sketch

Here's a concept sketch of lettering for my truck. McGraw's Chevrolet was the local Chevy dealer where my dad bought his '67 Impala SS. the lettering would be "distressed", looks too crisp below.



What do ya think, Yeah or Nay?

 

[vwnate1]

Truck Sign

I like it although I'd use a ' fatter ' font , more in keeping with old style lettering .
Off and on I consider having the local guys hand letter or maybe graphic my oldies , I do have the shop name and I have a couple ideas for small fun graphics .

NO decals for me .

 

[Lakeroadster]

Inner Peace

When it comes to "material stuff" it doesn't get any better than this in my little world. If I had inner peace.... I'd consider swapping it for one of these.

Big block / 4-speed please, with or without that coveted little strip of fiberglass in the back window

 

[50 Chevy LS3]

Here's a concept sketch of lettering for my truck. McGraw's Chevrolet was the local Chevy dealer where my dad bought his '67 Impala SS. the lettering would be "distressed", looks too crisp below.



What do ya think, Yeah or Nay?

I like it alot. Gonna hafta fade out the letters some, but, very cool. Check in to the old way of writing phone numbers with 2 letters or words.

 

[Lakeroadster]

............ Check in to the old way of writing phone numbers with 2 letters or words.

I don't think they were still doing the "BR-549" phone no. thing in the mid '60's... well at least not in Troy, Ohio... but I could be wrong?

I do recall that they weren't using area codes... unless you were dialing long distance. I also remember being on a party line: pick up the phone to make a call and your neighbors were already on the line....

 

[vwnate1]

Nice Photo !

But no , I would not trade my truck for any year / model 'Vette .

Party lines were fun right until Granny caught me listening in to the gabby neighborhood Ladies .

When I were a laddie in Rural New England , you only needed to dial the last four numbers as long as you were calling in town .

My 'phone # begins with SYcamore-1 .

 

[50 Chevy LS3]

We were still doing it that way here in Indiana until about 1972. I still say it that way occasionally just to freak-out my kids.
I think you need to go ahead with the lettering, then buy or build a trailer so you can haul around that 1969 427 Camaro that you also need.
Seriously, I think an old vintage Airstream single axle camper would be VERY cool hooked up to your truck.

 

[50 Chevy LS3]

Kinda like this...

 

[Lakeroadster]

Interesting dialogue in regards to the old phone numbers. I really like the SYcamore-1

......... I think you need to go ahead with the lettering, then buy or build a trailer so you can haul around that 1969 427 Camaro that you also need.
Seriously, I think an old vintage Airstream single axle camper would be VERY cool hooked up to your truck.

Funny you say that... I've got this old warhorse in the garage... but it ain't no trailer queen:

​

I can't take much credit for my '69 SS. I found it locally and all I have done is install new rear leaf springs, the traction bars, a set of Tri-Y Thorley headers, Purple Hornie header mufflers, a NOS Realistic FM Converter, a colum mounted tachometer and of course the American Racing Torque Thrust TTO wheels, a repro chin spoiler and the big and little BFG's. Being a child of the 60s and 70's it is a time machine that returns me to my youth each time I drive it.​

I have a design for a portable sheet metal louver press that I had considered building and putting in the back of the truck... Have Louver Press, Will Travel. Figured I'd be a big hit at the local car shows ;-)

 

[50 Chevy LS3]

VERY COOL, with original 1970s stance, Camaro! Traction bars and all.
John, you appear to have a very good life.
A louver press would make you popular, might even give you some good retirement income. I don't even know where I'd go to get louvers pressed here.
A cousin of mine is PAYING to have others rebuild a 1968 SS-RS 396 Camaro. He is NOT a auto-enthusiast, just wants to "flip it" for profit. He said he didn't even care if he drove it, just wants the money.
I'm a free-market capitalist, but, that just makes me sick.
P.S. our phone numbers started with OLiver 3. I wonder who got to pick the words to go with the number.

 

[Lakeroadster]

OLiver-3 and SYcamore-1 nice.

.... A cousin of mine is PAYING to have others rebuild a 1968 SS-RS 396 Camaro. He is NOT a auto-enthusiast, just wants to "flip it" for profit. He said he didn't even care if he drove it, just wants the money......

Sounds like a cool project, but with the $ per hour of a good body shop, a good mechanic and the $ of good repro parts all I can say is that he is going to lose his A$$ on the flip......​

Here's the Louver Press I designed...

 

[LostMy65]

Here's a concept sketch of lettering for my truck. McGraw's Chevrolet was the local Chevy dealer where my dad bought his '67 Impala SS. the lettering would be "distressed", looks too crisp below.



What do ya think, Yeah or Nay?

I like it.
For me, a faux-tina truck needs some kind of door art. It's my plan to get my company name and info on my door some time.

 

[olddaze]

This is my favorite build thread. Fine job with the details. Working on bringing back a '59 Chevy step-side myself.

 

[Lakeroadster]

This is my favorite build thread. Fine job with the details. Working on bringing back a '59 Chevy step-side myself.

Welcome and thanks for the kind words. Have you started a thread for your '59? '55 thru '59 are my favorite body style.

I've still been toying with side trim & door art concepts using Microsoft Paint and AutoCAD, here is my latest one:

 

[50 Chevy LS3]

HA, HA, ACME, thats funny...BEE BEEP.

 

[Lakeroadster]

Custom Side Trim

Mocked up actual side trim.. I like it.... time to start drilling holes.

​

Update 09-22-2014: Photoshopped the trim to be slanted at the rear to match the rear fender angle

​

 

[50 Chevy LS3]

I like the trim, also, I think the slant at the rear looks real good. I'm curious, were did the trim parts come from? I really like the distressed door art idea. I'm bettin' you don't miss the time-clock. Nice you have COOL things to keep you busy.