'65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

[Ed Snyder]

Originally Posted by Prowbar

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Well, sometimes things do not go as expected. A fire ravaged the place where I worked on the bed parts and had stored them. Luckily the pickup (without bed) is stored elsewhere, so I'm lucky I still have it.

Its not my house, but that of my grandparents. Glad they are OK themselves. That is the most important. Sheet metal can be welded onto or replaced.

The bedsides were not great but I'm guessing they are scrap now. It seems the tailgate and front panel and still salvageable. The fenders too.

So sorry to hear about your loss of bed parts, David. Thank goodness your grandparents are OK. Like you said, sheet metal can be replaced. Not so with grandparents.

I have no idea what European wrecking yards are like, but perhaps you could find a Chevy or GMC bed in one of them. I even bought a whole Chevy pickup one time, just to get the bed off of it for a GMC project (already had a good tailgate), then sold the still running pickup minus the bed. Some future owner could always build a flatbed for it. At least it sounds like you've still got a good GMC tailgate.

[Prowbar]

Originally Posted by Ed Snyder

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So sorry to hear about your loss of bed parts, David. Thank goodness your grandparents are OK. Like you said, sheet metal can be replaced. Not so with grandparents.

I have no idea what European wrecking yards are like, but perhaps you could find a Chevy or GMC bed in one of them. I even bought a whole Chevy pickup one time, just to get the bed off of it for a GMC project (already had a good tailgate), then sold the still running pickup minus the bed. Some future owner could always build a flatbed for it. At least it sounds like you've still got a good GMC tailgate.

Thanks for the reply Ed. Unfortunately European scrapyards aren't close to the level of 'goodness' American scrapyards are, most cars are empty shells unless they just got in. Finding a 60-66 pickup would be impossible unless it had some kind of accident damage - maybe. It is always worth looking around of course. Here in the Netherlands we have a couple of scrapyards that specialize in USA made vehicles.

My other game plan was to get a set of repro bedsides. They are available, and from what I've seen on the Brothers Trucks youtube channel, they fit proper and seem to be of good quality. I might start a thread in the bodywork section, pretty curious what other folka experience with these is. Hopefully they are a step up from the chinese non fitting junk. They are pricey though so there is that. As for shipping, we have a shop specializing in US pickup parts, they import parts from the USA. Meaning shipping costs would not be an issue here.

Maybe good sections of the original bedsides can still be salvaged - we'll see.
The tailgate is rare, glad to have it, hopefully the warpage is manageable.

Not planning to go with a flat bed - I like the original/factory design the best.

David

[WE7X]

Wow! So sorry to hear that!
Fire is a terrible thing to go through.
I lost a 6 person shop due to fire about 30 years ago.
Nobody getting hurt is a major plus. Tools and 'stuff' can be replaced but loosing a house and a shop space is a huge loss.
Best wished for the family and the projects.
Rod J
Issaquah, WA
1970 GMC RM-7500 410M

[Prowbar]

Originally Posted by WE7X

To view some links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Maybe you should introduce yourself with a new topic?

Wow! So sorry to hear that!
Fire is a terrible thing to go through.
I lost a 6 person shop due to fire about 30 years ago.
Nobody getting hurt is a major plus. Tools and 'stuff' can be replaced but loosing a house and a shop space is a huge loss.
Best wished for the family and the projects.
Rod J
Issaquah, WA
1970 GMC RM-7500 410M

Thanks Rod.