1963 Chevrolet C10 Swb Fleetside: Son Holds Onto A Truck Full Of Memories.
LeCroy’s dad, Papa LeCroy, was the second-owner of the C10 when the truck was still wearing factory fresh blue and white paint. Papa LeCroy kept the wheels rolling on the C10 ferrying little old ladies back-and-forth from hair appointments and to the Piggly Wiggly grocery story in downtown Oneonta, Alabama.
Papa LeCroy’s shuttling days and “to-do” list items soon slowed down. That’s when the son acquired the C10 from his dad in the late-1960s to use as a daily driver and to handle his own Saturday grunt work. Years went by and the truck was relegated to part-time use and a spot at the side of the driveway.
Rust-color
Parked for two decades outside has been brutal on the exterior condition of the C10. The body shows pinhole rust spots on top of the cab and everywhere below the belt line. The metal on all the C10’s body panels has to be worn thinner, even on this era of tough, thick metal trucks.
Two bright spots are the interior and the 230-cubic inch six cylinder engine under the hood. The engine bay looks better than expected. But we know that smoking problem needs a rebuild. A sheet of steel replaced the wood floor bed years ago and helps hold the truck together.
What next?
The potential and parts are available to restore the truck but it would be a long, expensive trip back to making this old Chevy a beauty again. To some, including me, the beauty in the truck is just as it sits.
LeCroy is keeping it. Each time he walks outside, the truck takes him on another trip down memory lane. I believe that is the best trip that money can’t buy.
