This is my favorite year (or two) for these Chevy pickups, because I’m particularly fond of that fine egg crate grille. It’s the best version of the three grille types on this generation (1967-1972), and is distinguished from the near-identical 1971 by virtue of its rear view mirror being glued to the windshield instead of hung from the cab roof.
And this one is a bit more rugged than average, being a 3/4 ton C20 with 4WD. That wasn’t nearly as common as today, although this generation went a long way towards civilizing 4WD, with a new drive line arrangement that lowered the body compared to the hi-boy 4WDs of previous generations.
This was a well-optioned truck, with the deluxe cab too.
And an automatic transmission to boot. Based on the fender call-out, this one sports the ubiquitous 350 (5.7 L) V8. Standard was the 250 six or 307 V8, the 350 and the big 402 were optional, as well as the long-stroke 292 six.
Chevrolet finally went to steel beds in this generation. This one looks like it’s survived the Oregon winters pretty well, but then it probably had a camper on its back at least some of the time.
The proof of that are those two big hod-downs on the side of the bed. This would have made a fine camper-hauler, even if it’s not a Longhorn model, but then that unique version with an 8 1/2 foot bed was not available as a 4WD, I’m pretty sure.
Note: a rerun of an older post.
Nice truck, had a ’68 C10 that I wish I never sold. Automatic transmission was still a rare option in 72. Aftermarket front bumper set up for a winch. I never could understand the rear bumpers that were 2/3 the height of a license plate, the top third of the plate bent up or mashed down.
I’m daydreaming right now I’m wearing a flannel red plaid shirt, while gently guiding her with a load of firewood up an evergreen lined road to an Oregon mountain cabin on a blustery day with the heat going strong and the 350 purring. I live in near tropical S FL, often I like to vacation somewhere cold.
That whole generation is my favorite.. It’s a real treat to see a nice working survivor, especially in the rare 3/4 ton 4×4 form. Even all the accessories are from the period, down to the Navajo blanket seat covers. A little rough riding and slow by modern truck standards, but I’d be real happy to live with that.
I’m not familiar with the reinforcement of the top bed rail from the front to the center stake pockets shown in the image of the inside of the bed. Was that unique to the Camper Special package, was it an aftermarket product, or did some make it himself? In any case, it looks well done and probably is a good idea that would benefit any truck that was expected to be used hard.
I think that bracket may have been to mount the spare tire.
Note the hole in the center piece where you could run a bolt out through the wheel to secure it.
My uncle restored a 71 or 72 4wd Chevy truck almost like this one back in the late 90s. 8 foot bed, cant remember if it was a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton.
I do remember it not having a single straight body panel on it. And spray painted “farm truck” on the tailgate, it hadnt been registered for years. No rust, good solid cab but I think that was the only body part he didnt replace.
It stayed the factory hugger orange with white roof but did get a mild lift, 31″ or 33″ tires on white wheels. Out came the old 6 and 4 speed, in went a 350/700r4 so you could drive it at 75-80 without it flying apart. Cool truck, gave it to my cousin who still has it
Correct on Longhorns being 4X2 only. The 72’s also had unique molded plastic interior door panels. I think wood-floor beds were still optional on the Fleetsides, Stepsides had wood floors all the way up to 1987.
Nice original truck.
I like this generation of Chevy/GM trucks, they still look decent and are much more to my taste than modern Super Sized pickups. Even though my experience was with a fleet C/10 with 250 six, I looked forward to driving it more than the Dodge D-100 with /6, which though solidly built, still had a rigid leaf-sprung front axle and handled accordingly.
Another nice survivor .
Makes me miss my 1969 C/10 shortie / stepper, I got burned by a restoration shop and sold it on .
These were excellent drivers with fantastic heating and fresh air ventilation, my ’69 was AC equipped .
-Nate