Our restoration of a classic 1969 Chevy C20

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

We’ve been super busy down at The Shop. Here’s one of the classic restoration projects we completed this past summer but haven’t had a chance to share our photos of it until now. Hope you enjoy this sweet 1969 Chevy C20!

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Starting the tear down.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Some of you can identify this as our old shop. We had to move to our new place in the middle of this project.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Everything must come out for the full paint job.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

At first glance, this truck seemed pretty straight. But upon further inspection, we found a lot of small imperfections.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

As we sanded down to bare metal, we found 3 or 4 different sections with super deep gouges in the steel. It looked like someone had tried to do bodywork with a chainsaw.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

After several long nights a lot of body work later, we finally got it smooth and ready for primer.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

The cab and bed had to be separated so we could address problems and get good paint coverage on the cab and front of the bed.

The cab and bed had to be separated so we could address problems and get good paint coverage on the cab and front of the bed.

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Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

The primer came out smooth, but we needed it perfectly smooth. Since the truck was going to be painted a dark color, the primer needed to be flawless.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

As I was sanding, this cool pattern happened and I decided to take a picture of it.

Starting to put color on the truck.

Starting to put color on the truck.

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You can't really tell in the other pictures, but the dash was cut to pieces. The owner wanted the dash back to original specs. We got a patch panel and it was professionally installed by Ken McCall of McCall Studios. Ken's welds were so clean we didn't have to do body work. All I had to do was a little sanding and it was ready for paint. Good job, Ken!

You can’t really tell in the other pictures, but the dash was cut to pieces. The owner wanted the dash back to original specs. We got a patch panel and it was professionally installed by Ken McCall of McCall Studios. Ken’s welds were so clean we didn’t have to do body work. All I had to do was a little sanding and it was ready for paint. Good job, Ken!

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Now the rest of the truck can be painted!

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Oops! Found a few spots that needed to be fixed.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

The tailgate needs fixed, too.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

One little spot turns into a big spot real fast.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Now doesn’t that look better?

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Clear coat added.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

We rolled it out to see how it looks in the sun. Sweet!

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Hard at work or hardly working? 🙂

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Soundproofing and heat protection makes a big difference. These old trucks are LOUD.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Scary time — We had to drill through our new paint job to make new bolt holes for the mirrors.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Coming back together now.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

We also painted the whole underneath side of the truck black.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Cut and polish.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Take note of the dry asphalt.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

We hung all new trim along the sides of the truck. Looks good!

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

No more dry asphalt! It started raining on us the day we pulled it out for delivery. Sad day!

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

The finished interior.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

We also installed the toolbox.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

Here’s the truck at Les Schwab Motorfest 2014. A nice sunny day and the truck looks great.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

All the Chevy fanatics out there will notice that this emblem should be blue on this truck. I painstakingly chipped off the blue paint so we could paint it green for a custom touch.

Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise Classic 1969 Chevy C20 truck restoration at The Shop Boise

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One Response to Our restoration of a classic 1969 Chevy C20

  1. Chris Sirois says:

    Beautiful truck: impressive workmanship. I am in the middle of a 1969 C10 project myself: this truck is great inspiration for simple functionality! Thanks.

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