The 1985 GMC lineup.
Last week I posted about my Elky, and how that 1974 El Camino influenced my user name here at Curbside Classic. In that post, I bid farewell to Elky as I traded it to my son in law, Dylan, for another classic of his. And as I said I would, I’m updating you on what I got next.
So what did I trade it for? I’ll show you.
Boy, did I goof up or what! Actually these are Before pictures. The After pictures are following.
I’ve told you before that my son in law does good mechanical plus paint and body work, and here is proof. Certainly not perfect, but better than good enough. So after owning this El Camino for 6 years…
… I traded up for this.
At Lake Medina. Yes, this is really a boat launch to what should be a lake.
It’s extremely hard to pick a favorite model of Chevy/GMC trucks. I guess it’s not hard to say the third generation of C/K trucks is the most popular since GM made them like forever, from 1973 to 1990. My research tells me GM designated this series the “Rounded Line”. Say What? Whatever. Everyone else in all the world knows these as Squarebodies so we’ll leave it at that.
Besides replacing the damaged parts as evident in the before photos, Dylan also refreshed the interior with a new dash pad, door cards and pull handles, and a nice vinyl front bench seat. Then he went mechanical with new tires and brakes, recharged A/C and swapped out the tired old 305 V8 with a freshly rebuilt 350 V8 with a 4bbl. Plus a whole lot more. This truck runs and drives like a dream.
Rockwell approves.
Rockwell appeared in a photo in the El Camino post, so I figured, why not show him again? And if you’ll allow me to change gears for a moment, I’ll let you know about the white 1978 Pontiac Bonneville in the background. It’s Dylan’s car and it’s been off the road for 2-3 years. It needs the usual stuff that he usually gets into, but he got it cheap ($600, I think), mostly for this reason:
Yeap, it’s got the rare Valencia interior. More on that HERE.
Anyway, back to my GMC…
I think I made a good trade, what do you think?
looks straight and clean, more power, AC, new tires and brakes? Whats not to love? My other comment would be the presensce of the valencia interior is more than enough reason to keep that Pontiac. Assume the interior is ….presentable?
Like that long bed. Looks like most of the new trucks have the short beds. Separates the men from the boys.
Those trucks are wonderful. I see them all the time here in Houston. With the kind of maintenance that you do it should last indefinitely. Enjoy!
The popularity of the squarebody trucks makes them great classics to own today. I’m pretty sure you could start with a frame and a title and buy every single part you need to build a whole truck out of it. Heck, maybe you can even buy a reproduction frame.
You need some of those parts, because in areas with salt they rust badly. In the 80s a family friend in New York had a 76 K5 and rust particles showerd down every time you slammed the doors
Nice rig .
Good looking dog too =8-) .
If you’re satisfied it matters not what others think .
-Nate
It’s a great looking truck. Job very well done!
What a nice looking truck! So unlike the cartoon trucks currently sold.
Nice truck … I like those whitewalls.
I like both, but prefer the truck for the added utility and form. I also like the fact that your truck was rescued from dire straits and is back on the road.
Great looking truck, and impressive body and mechanical work. There’s a similar Squarebody that lives near me – I believe it’s an ‘83 Silverado, brown, but not the two-tone. I always admire it when I see it.
I was reading a bit too quickly and thought at first that you were saying that the truck had that Valencia interior. I actually think that could be attractive in a brown truck like yours. In a totally 70’s family room kind of way (goes well with maxi skirts, photo print paneling and avocado-green appliances). I’m sure it’s nice in the white Pontiac too.
Impressive body work on the part of your son in law! Perfection doesn’t have to be the goal; although at least in these photos the end result looks pretty darn good to me. Rockwell seems to approve.
For some strange reason GMNZ sold square body Chevys here new, 30k out the door, most of the reason I didnt buy one and I dont need one but I still like em, so do others here a lot seem to have survived some rusted out, Ive seen them in pretty bad shape too, your pickup looks great before not so much your body and paint guy is good.
Nice dog and truck! I had a ’99 Sllverado with the 305 V8. It was adequate, but the truck had a hitch. I’d think if towing power would be marginal.
It’s great having an 8′ bed.
Nice dog and truck! I had a ’99 Sllverado with the 305 V8. It was adequate, but the truck had a hitch. I’d think if towing power would be marginal.
It’s great having an 8′ bed.
Really nice Squarebody! I agree with others here that the long bed makes it a “proper”, really usable truck.
Rockwell (great dog name, btw) seems to be a happy truck bed riding K9 in both this and the Elky!
You are very lucky to have such a talented son in law.
I think you did a great swap – wishing you and Rocky many happy and safe miles enjoying your truck!