1960 3/4 ton 4X4

[fritz]

Took the 1960 out today in the hills for a little overland rollin on a gorgeous Michigan spring day. Brought it in from Idaho 3 years ago and have been busy getting it running and driving. Had a little body work done and I painted it last spring the original Chrystal Green and Olympic white. It is now solid mechanically and runs like a champ. In 4 low granny it idles up 30 deg. grades. I don't think you could stop it. We regularly take it up to the lake in the summer, about a 70 mile drive trough the country side. At 50 MPH that is about as far as we have gone in one trip. We have gotten it to the point where it is reliable and have no worries of any issues on the road. I don't think we are going to do much more with it. For now I am going to enjoy driving it with my son and someday the keys are his. I am by no means a mechanic or have ever wrenched on anything. We have enjoyed learning about the truck and working on it together as a Father and son project.

Thanks to all who have helped us out with parts and guidance.
Fritz

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Great pictures! That "boy" looks like he's about ready for those keys right now, haha!

[tbucketnut]

I'd be real proud to own that early 4by4.
Thanks for sharing.

[fritz]

It's already more his than mine. I am 6'2 and he is 6'7 Big Dutch Boy! He lead the charge on all things mechanical and really was the driving force. I would suggest having things done but he would not have any of it. Recent engineering grad with mechanical degree. Loves the physical hands on stuff. Just got his first job working For Mercedes Benz in the engine test lab. Got 2 sons with engineering degrees one Chemical one Mechanical. Could not be more proud of them.....and we have a 1960 Custom 4x4. I feel really blessed and grateful. My older son and I did the same program on a 67 Jeep Super Wagoner. 7 years ago. But we wont go into that here on the GMC forum!

Now I need one that is mine! Would really like to find the same in a short box that isn't too far gone. I have seen just a couple in the last 15 years or so but they were both already redone.

Fritz

[Walys60]

Holy Smokes! That's my seat! That is identical to the original...can you tell me where you got that cover PLEASE!?
She's a beauty by the way

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[fritz]

Hello
The seat was reupholstered using vintage OEM NOS material. A very kind and help full member sent a photo of his original 1960 seat so I could have the seat done 100% original .Then I found Original Automotive Interiors north of Detroit. Tom Ames and his father had owned the business and just recently sold to SMS in Canby Oregon. Tom Had the most unbelievable selection of 100% original OEM automotive fabric you could imagine. Barn after barn full all neatly cataloged and stored. Sometime in the 50's they began going to the big 3 at model changeover and buying the unused upholstery. It was really remarkable that they had the original fabric for the 1960 GMC (both the geometric pattern and the silver) sitting on the shelf after nearly 60 years. Tom had told me that reciently GM came in and bought a bunch of 1960's Pontiac upholstery. There were no cooler interiors than 1960's Pontiac's often 4 or 5 colors and beautiful cloth seats. They bought some of the 1960 GMC fabric as well. They took all of the material and had custom furniture upholstered for their corporate conference room and lobby.

SMS may have some of the OEM material left I don't know as I have led a few members to the original source it may be gone. SMS does have reproduction material.
Good luck

[Walys60]

Amazing, that is NOS!? Wow, I see my granddad's mail carrier hat right in the middle of that seat where he always kept it.

I don't see it on their site right off. I will definitely call them. I'd take a reprod too though if they have that. Do you have any kind of 'name' or anything I could reference when I call them? I probably can just send them the picture if not, I'm sure.

Thanks again, just crazy seeing that new like that...mine is pretty well shredded.

[fritz]

I do not have the inventory number. But I do know that they have or will make the reproduction material. I was getting ready to purchase and they told me it would be 6 weeks to have it made then realized it was not original. when I found the OEM/NOS material here in Detroit I bought that. I am sure if you tell them the year and send the photos they can help out. Between the material and upholstery work, the seat was about $1,200. I am really happy with it.

[Walys60]

That's awesome. I really didn't think I was going to get the original look and was hunting for something 'close'. Thanks much! This forum is great

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[fritz]

Yes but the 60/61's are truly the best!!