some observations about the 67-72 community

[RedZ71]

from the reading ive done and observations of other modern chevy owners, i think ive come to some conclusions about how the next 30 years might look for chevy lovers.

first, observations of the current 67-72 community:

1) of the 67-72s, the 67-68s seem to be the real prized treasures.
2) the 69-70s are appealing, but possibly for other reasons. historical record's sake, family lineage sake, or perhaps something im not hitting, but not with the appeal the 67-68s or 71-72s have. this causes me to wonder how many 69-70s get their grills/clips changed out for one of the other styles.
3) 71-72s seem to come in ahead of 69-70s, perhaps only for their more agressive or stylish look.

i also own a 99-06 body style silverado. as time passed, with the 2003 (i believe it was) front end came out, there was quite a bit of lower opinions from some, but many purists would still way "well, it IS a chevy, lets try to love it anyway". so, based on what i have observed of modern chevy enthusiasts, i make these predictions:

based on:
- observed behavior of 67-72 community
- observed behavior of modern community
- my personal opinions, which i personally have a respect for all chevy trucks, even tho i too wasnt sure how i felt about the 03 front end when it came out.

so, that said, my predictions of the future of the chevy truck community over the 99-06 model years:

1) 99-02 might turn into the prized favorite, much the same way the 67-68s appear to be. like the 67-68s, they have a close overall resemblace to the model run's family, but the front ends are have a fair styling difference.

2) 03-04 i think will one day be recieved with the same middle othe road that i obverve with 69-70. when the 03 front fascia came out, not many people liked them, but personaly, they have really grown on me. i really love to see these dropped down low. i think they may still not be the favorite of the modern comnunity, but they may still hold some importance some day as a member of the 99-06 family (and might be dowgraded or upgraded to 99-02 or 05-06? ...who knows).

3) after 3 years of wish-wash enthusiasm over the 03-04, the 05-06 really seemed to jump out and win back those who didnt favor the 03-04. realistially, they are really quite similar, but with the 05-06 the styling is just a bit more agressive and meaner looking.

so, in my opinion, i see history setting up for a repeat. i think the styling cues have seemed to follow the same path from both the designers, and th way they have been received by the chevy truck communities.

thoughts? and even tho i dont own a 73-88 or a 89-96, i have a feeling that if you dig down, you might find similar behaviors of those owners/communities.

[eedgell]

You might be on to something! I think GM will have come full circle when they offer us the solid front axle again as factory, something simmilar to f*** super duty. Something tough and straight forward like GM has always been. Let spicer/Dana live!!!!!!

[sodak69c10]

agree, even somthing basic to work on would be nice too

[seanu]

I think someone's got to much time on thier hands..lol (jk)....

Well personally the last Chevrolet truck I really liked..was the 89-96 body style..I like everything before that...and everything past that..I haven't been a big fan of...and I def. agree that any 4wd should have 2 solid axles...not just the rear...

[corn]

I agree that you might be on something! I love my 69 & wont be swapping it for any other front end other than a NEW 69 front end. I also like any of the newer trucks older than '99. Its really hard to say what will be popular 20 years from now. Maybe edsels?

[creeldaddy]

i have a 72 and will probly swap it out for a 69 or 70 front clip maybee i am just an odd ball

[Pyrotechnic]

I was just talking to my dad about this the other night about the 99-07 trucks. I think they will become classics later on because it was only an 8 year run.

The thing is though, MOST of these trucks are extended or crew cabs. Very few are regular cab short beds, and even fewer are equipped with V8's. I think the regular cab short bed trucks will be worth most. Who knows though, the extended and crew cab trucks might be worth just as much or more.

[shaneschevys]

I do not think any thing 88-07 will ever be worth any thing. I am not saying they are not nice trucks. I think they are cheaply made & not made to last. I just don't see these trucks being worth any thing later on. Just my opinion.

[Slammed70]

Originally Posted by shaneschevys

I think they are cheaply made & not made to last.

My dad has an 89, 312K miles.....never even had a valve cover off. Only thing we have done was replace the map sensor...and convert it to R134. Still drives it daily.

[lilred67]

Originally Posted by Slammed70

My dad has an 89, 312K miles.....never even had a valve cover off. Only thing we have done was replace the map sensor...and convert it to R134. Still drives it daily.

as much as i like the '67-72's, i would be willing to bet there has never been more than a hand full go 250,000 plus miles and not have a major overhaul.
the fuel injected motors '87 and up might be harder to work on but they last longer.my '97 gmc has 172,000 miles on it with no major repairs,and uses very little oil.most 60's model cars/trucks motors was wore out at a 100,000, and used plenty of oil......... imo

[BurnoutNova]

Originally Posted by lilred67

as much as i like the '67-72's, i would be willing to bet there has never been more than a hand full go 250,000 plus miles and not have a major overhaul.
the fuel injected motors '87 and up might be harder to work on but they last longer.my '97 gmc has 172,000 miles on it with no major repairs,and uses very little oil.most 60's model cars/trucks motors was wore out at a 100,000, and used plenty of oil......... imo

very true, but alot of it is the oil they used then, having carbs (not as clean running) ect.

my s10 blazer is just about to roll over 220,000 miles, and runs perfect, it is due for some valve seals though

[CG]

I personally don't think any domestic vehicles newer than MAYBE late 70's (72 would be the newest for me) will ever be considered a true classic. Yes I know a 25 year old vehicle has classic status. I cant think of a single domestic car or truck 80 and up I would consider buying because it has a cool factor of some sort and may have some future collector value, well the exception to the rule would be the newest corvettes.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

It takes time for a classic to gain the lasting demand that the 67-72 Chevy/GMC trucks have come to be aquainted with. I feel todays truck is trying to accomidate all. Well this can be a successful marketing strategy today it can effect what will be a classic tomorrow.

A point to be considered is that a classic isn't created it is owed mostly to style, design and consumer acceptance not only when the vehicle was new but long afterwards. This places consumer demand on a product that the manufactorer no longer provides a product for. The 67-72 trucks have succeeded where many others will fail.

esll.

[sleepyboy]

Originally Posted by CG

I personally don't think any domestic vehicles newer than MAYBE late 70's (72 would be the newest for me) will ever be considered a true classic. Yes I know a 25 year old vehicle has classic status. I cant think of a single domestic car or truck 80 and up I would consider buying because it has a cool factor of some sort and may have some future collector value, well the exception to the rule would be the newest corvettes.

What about Impalas or Grand Nationals??

[BurnoutNova]

Originally Posted by sleepyboy

What about Impalas or Grand Nationals??

and 78-81 malibus? those are nice looking cars

[Slammed70]

I love the 69-70 front ends....big and menacing looking.

[RedZ71]

all interesting comments. of course, im projecting 30 years into the future, wondering how we might be thinking about the current bodies.

to the person who said they dont see much future appeal to the 99-06 bodies, i wonder what the opinion was in about 1975, when considering the 67-72s? i bet the favorites were the 40s or 50s back then.

[GMC Jim]

The last model of the series of most any vehicle has a good chance to make it to the 'classic' stage. IMO, the 1966 and the 1972 trucks would fit into this category

[weasel29gm]

If you think about it a 67 is 40 yrs old. But when you think 67 its not old. Certain years will always be classic but in years to come newer years will take place. Thats the way its always is. Think of it this way we try to build our years to ride, run and drive like a new one 40 yrs from now our grandkids will pull a 99,03,07 etc out wash and wax and drive. If they can afford $ 6-7 bucks a gallon for gas!!!

[alschevy]

i love the 1967-1972 chevys trucks and the 50s and 40s and i also like all
of gms cars and trucks and 1967 chevy truck should have been its year
bye its self

1967 chevy one ton wrecker

[dan42]

I would agree on the '05 and '06 being the best looking of that run. Don't forget that the early '07's are similar to the '06. My work buys at least 10 chevy pickups a year, because they sell them at around 80,000 miles, and guys are on a rotation as to when they get their truck. They've been doin' it since the mid 70's. Pyro is right - most of them are extended cabs anymore, it's hard to find shortbeds. We have a couple shortbeds and they have really grown on me; not to the extent of our years, they are timeless, but they are still the best looking trucks out there. So far, I really don't like the new ones, but who knows, that may change as you get used to them.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

Back then in 1975 what were they saying about 67 to 72 trucks same as (50 years ago) what were they saying about a 50 3100 P/UP, 57 Vette, 57 Chevy, a 59 Caddy, I remember everything but the words classic and investment opportunity. If this were not so there would have been more survivors today. People bought and drove what they could afford or if money was not the main concern what they liked. Much as we do today.

My point .... buy what you like and if tomorrow it's a classic this is a cherry on top of your slice of the cake of automotive pleasure.

esll.

My first car was a 57 Chevy that cost me a whole $500.00 .... not the one in the picture but still a very nice car none the less. If the word classic was being used I would still have it today and I would be up a lot more $$$ then $500.00.

[cameeks]

I have to dissagree with the front end part. I think the '71 - '72 grills in my opinion looked off to me. I really never liked them. The '67 - '70 look alot cleaner.

[67 cst swb]

Well, here are my thoughts...
First... the 67-72's have a couple things going for them, they are the last years of the pre-smog era. True some had smog emissions, but not the power robbing emissions... then just a new look, completely different then anything previously built.
Second... they in my opinion are the 55-56-57 Chevy's of the truck world, They were such a departure from the norm. When you look at 1953 or 1954 model year cars, then think about how the market reacted to the new styling of the 1955, then found out it was available with a V-8, I bet the market almost couldn't contain themselves... Well here is our trucks... replacing the 60-66 style trucks, which are cool but very 60's truck in styling... then out comes this sleek, smooth car-like bodystyle. Then in '68 is offered with a Big Block... optional tilt steering, etc... Wow... Just as the car world will never see an era as popular as the 55-57 Chevys, I dont think any truck will come close to the popularity of these 67-72's...
Thirdly... My personal favorites, in order are: 67-68 Front End, 71-72 Front End, then 69-70 front ends.
Lastly... My favorite truck of recently was a 2000 Silverado Ext-cab shortbox 2wd... ordred it with 3.73 posi and loaded... Should have never sold it... in the last 10 years I've owned 5 of the 88-07 model year trucks... a 90, 98, 00, 02, and currently a '06... I personnally still like the 99-02 grille and hood style best, they resemble the 67-68's to me, then the 02-03 HD front ends resembled the 69-72 style hood and grille to me. I don't greatly like this cat-eyes like front end of the 03-07 front end's...
Well that's all for my opinion...

[68K20 x Drill]

IMO 67-8 had the best hood. It still looks modern which is why the late model HDs brought it back and look good. The look was accentuated by the clean lack of sidemarkers.I like the early Chevy grille, too bad it never had dual headlights. I am also a fan of the later eggcrate style. As for newer models, I'm kind of fond of the '93 era trucks sitting low on wide steelies