1963 GMC C/K 1500 Series

1963 GMC ½ Ton Short Bed Fleetside Pickup  It was the C/K series of trucks that replaced the Task Force line of trucks, and the first to not be given a tedious generational name.  At the same time, GMC began using their own designations to differentiate from Chevrolet, utilizing four digits to represent payload ratings such as 1000 for ½ ton.  K was used for GMC on 4x4 trucks only.  For consignment, a 1963 GMC ½ ton short bed fleetside pickup presenting as a great build, a spectacular street rod which left no stone unturned during the build, finished less than 300 miles ago.  Exterior There are a few colors that stand out as hot rod, resto-mod, or street rod favorites and Candy Apple Red is near the top of the list, if not heading it.  The tri-coat here is two stage goodness that's deep and even and offset by the large chrome bumper, the shiny headlight bezels, and the thick grille bar that connects the dual headlights, a potential GMC field mark in this generation.  The 17-inch Vision Legend Series wheels, 5 spoke and chrome, vie for your attention too and wear 40 series tires with a date code of late 2021.  In profile, the truck hunkers down on the wheels and overall square shape is augmented by the forward leaning A-pillar, the extended roofline, and the body line that starts as the hood latch point and extends through the side of the bed.  The clean tail is bumperless and the bed is lined with stunning oak planks and polished aluminum rails.  The only imperfection we note is some paint runs on a lower panel.  Interior The door panels, and much of the interior carries over the candy apple paint, and a black leather insert adorns the door and frames the hardware.  Black leather bucket seats feature diamond stitched inserts and the driver's seat has power controls.  Both have a lap belt that connects on the outside instead of the inside and the diamond stitching continues on the back panel behind the seats.  Remember that forward leaning A-pillar?  It creates a curved body line with the door open and brings with it the wrap-around windshield in a fantastic design feature from GM.  A Flaming River chrome tilt steering wheel wears a showy 4 spoke steering wheel and it all leads to a polished dash insert that houses Dolphin black faced gauges in a gleaming, show quality presentation.  The center stack starts the custom console and it is where we find two more gauges, white faced this time, and a Retro Sound AM/FM radio with Bluetooth.  Between the seats, a B&M ratchet shifter, rubber booted and chrome based, is backed by a couple of stainless cup holders.  Plush black carpet covers the floor, not perfectly conforming with the body, but in clean condition and topped with protective rubber mats.  The walls, pillars, and ceiling all shine with red paint.  Drivetrain The show continues under the hood where the consignor stated 383ci stroker V8 resides and it has aluminum heads, roller rockers, a Weiand 142 polished supercharger, an aluminum radiator, ceramic coated Sanderson headers, all in a painted engine bay that is spotless.  MSD ignition sparks the beast and a 4-barrel carburetor is perched on top.  There are lots of polished components in the bay.  Setting the truck in motion is a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission sending power to a 10 bolt rear with 3.73 gears and Positraction.  Bringing the party to a slow crawl and stop will be power disc brakes in front and power drums in the back.   Undercarriage Normally the backstage area of a show isn't such a great looking place.  But the undercarriage here is very clean and there is nothing to hide!  The satin black frame guides the dual exhaust back where, following an H-pipe, FlowMaster Flow FX mufflers interrupt the volume before exiting discreetly in downturned tips behind the rear roll pan.  The new wood planks look almost as good underneath as they do on top, and a chrome differential cover adds a bit of shine.  One dro