1963 GMC C1000 is One Cool Cruiser with Modern Power

Antique GMC truck is slammed on a custom chassis and powered by an LS3 mated to a manual gearbox.

GMC Trucks back in the 1960s were built to be work vehicles, but in the modern era of hot rodding, the possibilities are endless. Many are restored to a custom look, some are converted to drag-style trucks with big, fat tires out back and some receive a lift kit and big tires all around to create a classic off-road beast. Finally, some are dropped to the ground to create a slick cruiser, and that is the route taken by the owner of this 1963 GMC C1000.

This truck was discovered and shared by the folks at Motor Trend when headed to the 2021 Hot Rod Power Tour. Owned by Barry Higgins, this antique pickup is a thing of beauty, combining the vintage look with modern suspension and drivetrain bits.

Customized 1963 GMC C1000

When looking over this 1963 GMC C1000, the first thing that you likely noticed was the slammed stance. Higgins mounted the antique body on a custom GSI chassis that is mated with an air suspension system. That allows him to slam it to the ground for pictures, while it will still lift to a comfortable level to hit the road. It also has a classic, windowless bed cap, similar to what would have been used by a mobile food vendor back in the day.

The paint looks amazing and according to Motor Trend, it is original with the exceptions of a few spots that had to be touched up over the years. The chrome trim and bumpers also look great, and considering the age of the truck, the odds are good that it had to be refinished at some point. In any case, this truck looks amazing from the outside, with a clean, classic look with the modernized slammed stance.

The real surprise is that this 1963 GMC C1000 is powered by an LS3 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. There is no list of engine features, but we can see that it has a Holley EFI fuel induction system, headers and a low-rise intake manifold that works with the orange-and-black paint scheme to give this modern engine a classic look.

Stock Lines Inside and Out

This 1963 GMC has a cap, a custom chassis, suspension and engine upgrades, but the majority of the rest of the truck is stock. The sheet metal is original and the cabin looks like this truck could have just rolled off of the assembly line. It has a large, thin-grip steering wheel, a one-piece bench seat in blue vinyl with blue plaid center section and an array of aftermarket gauges that maintain the old school look. It even has the classic AM radio, with the only modern aspect of the cabin being the custom shifter.

We have included a few pictures of this 1963 GMC here, but click here for a ton more pictures in the piece from Motor Trend.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com