1965 Canadian built C20 Alaskan Camper

[60-66]

I just recently Picked up an interesting 1965 C20 originally built in Canada. The original owner ordered this truck as you see it and was to be used primarily for camping. So he outfitted the truck with a 1965 Alaskan Camper. The owner now 93 in 2007 , sold the truck , truck then traveled to Kentucky where it was preserved by a collector who recently passed away. This truck is a nice original plain Jane with Z62 Custom Comfort option, Power Steering , Power Brakes ,Windshield washers, Hi note horn , 283 4 speed . The 283 still has its original dated plug wires , many original hoses , clamps and markings. Truck has 33,000 miles and is original paint.

Being a Canadian built truck , theres quite a few interesting distinctions from a USA built truck. One I found interesting is the steering wheel. Instead of painting the wheel like Chevy did to match the interior Fawn color , the wheel is molded in a very close color or as I now have to say "Colour". All the tags , three, on the truck are unique to Canada including a cowl tag similar to what you see on a car of this era, Vin tag is in a different location and aluminum instead of stainless and the usual paint tag by the vent just states the GVW. The 283 we are used to seeing script valve covers , these are plain , flat smooth covers with the decal in the middle on the drivers side. The air cleaner is one that I have not seen before , maybe others here have ? Little things like the radiator cap 13# but made in Canada stamped in it with no "AC" stamp. Theres a few other small details but thats all for now.

The Alaskan camper itself is in surprisingly good condition and has been on the truck since new , truck was always stored in doors. Owner added a fishing pole tube on the passenger side and some loops I need to figure out. Gun rack inside , a cloth compartment behind the seat to hold extras such as an Ax. He also added a roof rack, Im assuming to hold extra fishing and camping gear. On each side of the camper in the bed are compartments for additional gear. One thing , I know is going to make two people on here cringe , is the step to get into the camper , its bolted directly to the original paint tailgate. I believe this was done because this is a 10 foot Alaskan instead of an 8 foot camper.

Heres some pictures. All I've done so far is a quick wash , air up the tires and take it for a ride !! Shifts and runs like new , steers easy and stops very nice for an old truck. Even the Michelin tires were made in Canada !

[Brad54]

That's awesome!

I see the HD upper radiator hose; did they also have a solid lower radiator hose when you got the upper?

-Brad

[60-66]

Thank you Brad.

That upper is standard , all 63-66 V8s had them from new , many were replaced with a solid rubber because the tubes would rust and leak over time. Lower is just a rubber hose.

[padresag]

pretty nice!
ron

[jocko]

That's a great rig. Big Alaskan fan, but I always struggle with the open areas exposed to allow it to slide in (i.e. behind the wheel wells) - and it's visible from the side as well on a 10 footer. But wow, the idea is sure growing on me. I'm semi-lookin at a slightly newer but very similar Alaskan right now (8') - and your pics help out a lot. The whole thing looks awesome, congrats!

[jayoldschool]

Wonder why they put the radio under the dash when all they had to do is pull the plate?

[TJ's Chevy]

Mint!!!! Nice find!

[60-66]

Originally Posted by jocko

That's a great rig. Big Alaskan fan, but I always struggle with the open areas exposed to allow it to slide in (i.e. behind the wheel wells) - and it's visible from the side as well on a 10 footer. But wow, the idea is sure growing on me. I'm semi-lookin at a slightly newer but very similar Alaskan right now (8') - and your pics help out a lot. The whole thing looks awesome, congrats!

If I understand you correctly Jocko , this has little doors with locks on the sides in those areas. Its open beyond that for more storage.

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

Wonder why they put the radio under the dash when all they had to do is pull the plate?

My guess is he ordered it without a radio , the underdash radio is a 1962 Impala radio and it works ! But thats going to go in place of an NOS radio kit I have saved for just this kind of truck !

[62stepside longbox]

Beautiful rig, I'm really liking the fact that it's Canadian, I see it's still wearing its original 65 Alberta plate. Being a 65 shouldn't it have the earlier style armrest? And yes I definitely recognize that oil bath air cleaner, it's identical to the one on my Canadian 261.

[DPowers]

Cool rig

[oem4me]

Awesome! Looks damn good for actually being used in situations like pictured below. Oh, and NO STAINS inside the camper ..now that's a rarity!

[Captainfab]

Very nice

[pimpston65]

i really like the storage compartment up top!!!

[vince1]

My truck has the same GSL plate on it and the dealership is still there in downtown Calgary.

[60-66]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Beautiful rig, I'm really liking the fact that it's Canadian, I see it's still wearing its original 65 Alberta plate. Being a 65 shouldn't it have the earlier style armrest? And yes I definitely recognize that oil bath air cleaner, it's identical to the one on my Canadian 261.

Hi Nik ! Actually 1964 was the last year for the two piece White base fawn top arm rest 985629. The solid fawn armrest started in 1965 986303 and was used to 1966 , then in 67 and 68 same exact arm rest but they changed the accessory part number to 986971. Good to know on the air cleaner. Any info on the steering wheel ? Jon

Originally Posted by DPowers

Cool rig

Thanks !

Originally Posted by oem4me

Awesome! Looks damn good for actually being used in situations like pictured below. Oh, and NO STAINS inside the camper ..now that's a rarity!

I figured you had seen previous pictures Bruce . That was in 2007 when owner number two drove the truck from Alberta to Kentucky and washed it immediately after getting it home ! . Yes Im very happy with the condition of the camper inside , cant wait to clean that up. Number two was a huge vintage camper nut.

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Very nice

Thanks Captain !

Originally Posted by pimpston65

i really like the storage compartment up top!!!

Yeah , I like the purpose but not so much the look , may pull that off some day , we'll see.

Originally Posted by vince1

My truck has the same GSL plate on it and the dealership is still there in downtown Calgary.

Any info Vince on GSL ? Like to find out as much as possible about the trucks history. Im going to do the GM of Canada research also.

[63burban]

Jon,, don't take this the wrong way but I hate you ! *****in ride dude!

[vince1]

http://www.gslgmcity.com/

I had considered driving mine into GSL and ask them if it still had any warranty left on it.

I have the same style air cleaner on the 250. That steering wheel, along with everything else on your truck sure is in better shape than mine. The manual steering really caused mine to be ripped apart.

Enjoy your truck.

[Clyde65]

That is the coolest truck find I have seen I think! I love those campers and the truck just tops it off so well!! And the condition! Hats off to all owners for taking such good care of her!

[wjjeeper]

And another Alberta truck that has gone south.....

[wjjeeper]

Just noticed you even have an ice scraper behind the seat. Lol

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by jocko

That's a great rig. Big Alaskan fan, but I always struggle with the open areas exposed to allow it to slide in (i.e. behind the wheel wells) - and it's visible from the side as well on a 10 footer. But wow, the idea is sure growing on me. I'm semi-lookin at a slightly newer but very similar Alaskan right now (8') - and your pics help out a lot. The whole thing looks awesome, congrats!

I would LOVE to find an Alaskan for the '62 K10 LongStep I'm about to start.

I'd Travels With Charlie that thing all over the country! (hunting, fishing, and towing my nostalgia drag car)

This is just an awesome truck you've found, 60-66. Absolutely beautiful. Please take it camping once in a while and enjoy the throw-back experience and vintage luxury.

-Brad

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Yeah , I like the purpose but not so much the look , may pull that off some day , we'll see.

There's nothing like opinions from afar, but that roof rack is quickly growing on me. At first, it had to go. Now, I'm seeing it as part of the wicked cool package.
Just squint a little ...can you see it? lol!

[60-66]

Exactly ! This truck was setup to be used. Thats why its so cool (to me) . A back pack or roof pack ?! A guy right down the block from us road a horse from Kansasville Wisconsin to Alaska , The truck just looks like its ready for an adventure like that. I really want to see Glacier National park , maybe this is my motorvation .

[padresag]

Canadian GMC also had a cowl tag

with the eng ser #
ron

[Brad54]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Exactly ! This truck was setup to be used. Thats why its so cool (to me) . A back pack or roof pack ?! A guy right down the block from us road a horse from Kansasville Wisconsin to Alaska , The truck just looks like its ready for an adventure like that. I really want to see Glacier National park , maybe this is my motorvation .

Read "Travels With Charlie."
Then get a laptop, because you're gonna be gone for a couple months...

I just can't imagine anything cooler than taking that out west and going big game hunting, or fly fishing, or driving it up the eastern seaboard to Newfoundland and going moose hunting.

In the meantime, that'd be spending a lot of time on the lake-side camp sites around here, with my little fishing boat beached outside the window.



-Brad