Did truck production numbers decrease after 1972?

[Chevyland]

I've always been a 67-72 guy.
Mostly 72's
Although I do own square bodies,
I always notice there are a ton of 67-72's out there, when searching
And, only limited 73-80's

What gives?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by Chevyland

I've always been a 67-72 guy.
Mostly 72's
Although I do own square bodies,
I always notice there are a ton of 67-72's out there, when searching
And, only limited 73-80's

What gives?

Can't say. You'd think they'd have built just as many trucks, because people still need them. Maybe our trucks were so fine post 73 weren't necessary

Could be they just weren't as popular, so they let them die a natural death.

73 to maybe 76 were pretty cool trucks. My brother had a 75 SWB with a Corvette engine. It was fast.

Here's a beauty:

[el_fantasma]

Originally Posted by Chevyland

I've always been a 67-72 guy.
Mostly 72's
Although I do own square bodies,
I always notice there are a ton of 67-72's out there, when searching
And, only limited 73-80's

What gives?

I always thought they weren't as popular because of the stricter emission controls, at least here in CA. Started in 1974, right?

[jocko]

I think that back in 73, 72's weren't yet the classics we drool over to day - and just like today, people would rather have a 2017 than their old 2016. If only they'd known back then...

[James the III]

Originally Posted by Chevyland

I've always been a 67-72 guy.
Mostly 72's
Although I do own square bodies,
I always notice there are a ton of 67-72's out there, when searching
And, only limited 73-80's

What gives?

Same thing with cars.. emissions..
the model years with less emission crap was more popular and saved, and the later vehicles were not they got used up and junked..

Same reason you see tons of 70 olds cutlasses be it a base or a 442.. but the 76-77 cutlass that was America's #1 selling car but how many you see now??
Trucks, even when in normal use, the less parts and crap under hood the less cost to keep it on the road..

The mid 70's anything got no love..
Other than a few Pontiac's t/a's
Even the Camaro didn't fair well those years.. you don't see many 73-77 now..

I'd also guess that the oil issues in the 70's made trucks a drive it only if you needed one.. not a vehicle you'd buy and drive unless you had to..

[drewbert41]

Out west must be different because it is the exact opposite in my experience. Squarebodys everywhere. 67-72 few and far between and either a rust heap or 15-30k asking price.

[James the III]

Originally Posted by drewbert41

Out west must be different because it is the exact opposite in my experience. Squarebodys everywhere. 67-72 few and far between and either a rust heap or 15-30k asking price.

West more farms /etc and the need to drive a truck, wasn't an option even with the fuel problems in the 70's..

What states are these cheap square bodies in so I can go grab one..

[drewbert41]

Originally Posted by James the III

West more farms /etc and the need to drive a truck, wasn't an option even with the fuel problems in the 70's..

What states are these cheap square bodies in so I can go grab one..

Chicago Craigslist, Champaign, IL Craigslist and surrounding areas.

[special-K]

I don't know about in California, but I figure you see less 73-77s because most rusted away. The other factor affecting all of them is that there were a whole bunch made...yes, more, and for so many years. They were just taken for granted when the 67-72s were the good old trucks people really liked that only lasted 6 years. There were no real improvements to the '73-ups to take many 67-72 lovers away from their beloved trucks, just style change to a more modern look. You see more original owners 67-72s than any other vehicle out there. Special interest in 67-72s started, virtually, on day one. As years went by it only grew tear to year till all these years later we have so so many lovers. The style moved them into the future while holding on to the line that came before. Stout and tough with just enough rounded edge to be friendly looking and tough.

[n33k0]

I see more squarebodies in my area than 67-72 trucks. I've crossed paths with a couple of our trucks on the road, but it's a rare occasion. Squarebodies, on the other hand, I see a couple every day... not show trucks though, they're beat up usually pulling trailers full of lawn equipment. I'm not familiar with the styling differences for the specific years, but I know for sure they're in the '73-'88 generation.

The local craigslist reflects this, too; squarebodies outnumber the 67-72s. I feel like even the 60-66 trucks are more common on local listings... but maybe they just don't sell as quickly as the other trucks so the ads stay up longer.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by Chevyland

Did truck production numbers decrease after 1972?

No. It went up. We produced about 15 million squarebody pickups between '73 and '87.

I'm with Special K on this one - I think the squarebodies were just "work trucks" and rusted out. We used to see them around here and the only thing left of the fenders and quarters were the wheel opening moldings.

That, and the squarebodies were not yet classics like the '67-72s. In my opinion the '67-72 are still held in higher regard as classics even now.

K

[James the III]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

No. It went up. We produced about 15 million squarebody pickups between '73 and '87.

I'm with Special K on this one - I think the squarebodies were just "work trucks" and rusted out. We used to see them around here and the only thing left of the fenders and quarters were the wheel opening moldings.

That, and the squarebodies were not yet classics like the '67-72s. In my opinion the '67-72 are still held in higher regard as classics even now.

K

I'm not buying the 67-72 were classics from day one, as trucks back then were TRUCKS.. and bought and used as TRUCKS.. not a enthusiast vehicle..
That trucks became in the late 80's early 90's..
And these started to be dragged off farms, or barns..
Ask any business owner that needs trucks they hate that trucks became an "in" thing..
As the factories started building loaded trucks and started charging a lot more for them..

Working at a gas station I never saw many hopped up trucks until the mid/late 80's when the trucks and mini truck took off. Then they started showing up at cruise nights and shows..
Of course this was here.. but I have most of the mag's from the 70's-200o's
and other than the dodge little red express.. not much if any coverage on them..

If these were classic's from day one,, we'd not be able to go get a truck on a farm or a barn in great numbers. as they all be accounted for, and not avail still in numbers and cheap..

[special-K]

Originally Posted by James the III

I'm not buying the 67-72 were classics from day one, as trucks back then were TRUCKS.. and bought and used as TRUCKS.. not a enthusiast vehicle..
That trucks became in the late 80's early 90's..
And these started to be dragged off farms, or barns..
Ask any business owner that needs trucks they hate that trucks became an "in" thing..
As the factories started building loaded trucks and started charging a lot more for them..

Working at a gas station I never saw many hopped up trucks until the mid/late 80's when the trucks and mini truck took off. Then they started showing up at cruise nights and shows..
Of course this was here.. but I have most of the mag's from the 70's-200o's
and other than the dodge little red express.. not much if any coverage on them..

If these were classic's from day one,, we'd not be able to go get a truck on a farm or a barn in great numbers. as they all be accounted for, and not avail still in numbers and cheap..

I wasn't selling anything. It's a fact, whether you want to believe it or not. I lived it and that's how I know. But you don't have to believe me, just look at all the original owner trucks we have on here, local trucks cherished and cared for better than trucks 20 years newer. Yeah, trucks were trucks back then and then there was your Cheyenne Super big block shortbed with herringbone cloth seats, A/C, Cruise, AM/FM, Cruise, tilt wheel, lots of trim, two-tone paint, tonneau covers offered through GM, etc. Was a K/20 CST or Cheyenne bought for work? How about all the Custom Campers that basically only went on fun trips. There are still camper haulers out there with under 100k on them. These trucks started the trucks loaded with options thing back then. Are you kidding me? The square bodies offered nothing more other than power windows. There were exceptional trucks for sale in Hemmings Motor News in the '80s for good money. I shared the interest in these trucks with many guys since the '70s. In the '80s at the local drag strip I remember seeing a Medium Green & White Cheyenne Super (on the lot) with chromed steering column and other interior pieces that had a supercharger and nice wheels. I had seen it in one of the car magazines. Then there was the '71 issue of Car craft with a customized '71 Stepside on the cover. I mostly knew older guys with these trucks. Old Bobby King had a steel building with three Cheyenne Supers in pristine original condition stashed right along with three '57 Chevy cars, including a convertible... all sitting under blankets. I could go on and on. I don't blow smoke. I know since these trucks were a few years old I have had people telling me they had one, traded it in for a new one (out of routine), and wished they had kept the 67-72. I heard that for years and years. I've been hearing people since the '80s saying "These trucks are coming on", and me saying, "Shoot, they've been on. You're just figuring it out". Just because they weren't a hot item to some back then doesn't mean they weren't hot, it means they had their eyes closed. Mine have been open since day one

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by special-K

I wasn't selling anything. It's a fact, whether you want to believe it or not. I lived it and that's how I know. But you don't have to believe me, just look at all the original owner trucks we have on here, local trucks cherished and cared for better than trucks 20 years newer. Yeah, trucks were trucks back then and then there was your Cheyenne Super big block shortbed with herringbone cloth seats, A/C, Cruise, AM/FM, Cruise, tilt wheel, lots of trim, two-tone paint, tonneau covers offered through GM, etc. Was a K/20 CST or Cheyenne bought for work? How about all the Custom Campers that basically only went on fun trips. There are still camper haulers out there with under 100k on them. These trucks started the trucks loaded with options thing back then. Are you kidding me? The square bodies offered nothing more other than power windows. There were exceptional trucks for sale in Hemmings Motor News in the '80s for good money. I shared the interest in these trucks with many guys since the '70s. In the '80s at the local drag strip I remember seeing a Medium Green & White Cheyenne Super (on the lot) with chromed steering column and other interior pieces that had a supercharger and nice wheels. I had seen it in one of the car magazines. Then there was the '71 issue of Car craft with a customized '71 Stepside on the cover. I mostly knew older guys with these trucks. Old Bobby King had a steel building with three Cheyenne Supers in pristine original condition stashed right along with three '57 Chevy cars, including a convertible... all sitting under blankets. I could go on and on. I don't blow smoke. I know since these trucks were a few years old I have had people telling me they had one, traded it in for a new one (out of routine), and wished they had kept the 67-72. I heard that for years and years. I've been hearing people since the '80s saying "These trucks are coming on", and me saying, "Shoot, they've been on. You're just figuring it out". Just because they weren't a hot item to some back then doesn't mean they weren't hot, it means they had their eyes closed. Mine have been open since day one

x2. Well said.

By the way, I thought James post was directed at me, since he quoted my post.

Typical Sunday afternoon circa 1969. The pickup is a '69 GMC, short step, hugger orange. 6 cylinder bored to 305 cu in, 3 Rochesters on a homemade intake with Pontiac progressive linkage; dual exhaust; 3:11 low gear Saginaw four speed with a Hurst floor shifter. 3.73 posi rear axle. Steel wheels widened to 8" with the full face wheel covers. Daily driven and light hauling/towing usage.

[James the III]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

x2. Well said.

By the way, I thought James post was directed at me, since he quoted my post.

Typical Sunday afternoon circa 1969. The pickup is a '69 GMC, short step, hugger orange. 6 cylinder bored to 305 cu in, 3 Rochesters on a homemade intake with Pontiac progressive linkage; dual exhaust; 3:11 low gear Saginaw four speed with a Hurst floor shifter. 3.73 posi rear axle. Steel wheels widened to 8" with the full face wheel covers. Daily driven and light hauling/towing usage.

nothing personal, just adding to that thought..
Difference is most v8 gas hogs got parked in the 70's.. if not the first gas problem, but the 2nd parked a ton of older than 6y/o vehicles..
And the only reason you could 20-30-40 years later find one with low miles..
If there was no gas problems in the 70's most would be way past 100k miles..
The gas crunch spared a lot of the 67-72 trucks.. same with the older cars..

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by James the III

I'm not buying the 67-72 were classics from day one, as trucks back then were TRUCKS.. and bought and used as TRUCKS.. not a enthusiast vehicle..

As the factories started building loaded trucks and started charging a lot more for them..

I'm not sure of the way it was when you became interested in pickups, but the trend toward making them more comfortable and car like features begain in the mid 60's. Factories just didn't start building loaded trucks, it was consumer demand, especially with suburbanites who had more disposable income for a pickup for personal transportation and recreational use. Sure there were always business and agriculture buyers who bought them only as a tool, but the change was well before the 80's. Special K has plenty first hand knowledge of these trucks back in the day way before magazines, internet and priced out of the muscle car folks, discovered them. Yes, many people got attached to these trucks from the get go, others didn't have a clue till they were enlightened. Here a '69 when fairly new, even has red line tires, I would say the owner saw this as a classic immediately.

[James the III]

Originally Posted by factorystock

I'm not sure of the way it was when you became interested in pickups, but the trend toward making them more comfortable and car like features begain in the mid 60's. Factories just didn't start building loaded trucks, it was consumer demand, especially with suburbanites who had more disposable income for a pickup for personal transportation and recreational use. Sure there were always business and agriculture buyers who bought them only as a tool, but the change was well before the 80's. Special K has plenty first hand knowledge of these trucks back in the day way before magazines, internet and priced out of the muscle car folks, discovered them. Yes, many people got attached to these trucks from the get go, others didn't have a clue till they were enlightened. Here a '69 when fairly new, even has red line tires, I would say the owner saw this as a classic immediately.

Between 1977 and 1984 truck prices went through the roof and have kept going to the moon.. since..
I didn't say that they didn't make loaded trucks back then.. but the "buyer" the "market" was you bought a TRUCK because you needed a TRUCK.. not like when driving a truck became an "in" thing.. then as the oems slowly killed off rear drive cars, people moved to trucks..
Sure they made loaded (for the day) trucks in 67-72.. but what was called loaded is kinda comical .. it wasn't for comfort persay..
Not many 67-72 trucks rolling around with factory installed p/s, p/b, p/l ,p/w, tilt, interior trim upgrade, exterior trim upgrade, fancy wheels (covers). tinted windshield, a/c

Most of the "loaded trucks" it is automatic trans, p/s ,p/b, tilt and trim ,
Looking at what the interior option for my 71 compared to the base, isn't anything to write home about,, as far as comfort,

When the trucks started to be the "in" thing a loaded truck started to have more comfort items.. when the oem's started killing the rear drive platforms and more and more moved to trucks.. options that have been avail in the cars for decades were only now finding their way into trucks..
Using the same time period.. 67-72 the trucks were far from loaded if you compare them to the same type options offered in other vehicles.. that you could not get in the trucks.. That changed big time.. slowly in the late 70 early 80's but by 88 when g.m. started with the newest gen truck it loaded had a totally different meaning, and it's only gone higher and higher since..
To the point that the norminal price of a truck on a lot today is 45-55k
Want loaded.. 100-110k SRP..
You can't even find a basic truck on a lot anymore.. heck you'll be hard pressed to find a reg cab.. with only the basics in it and that is if you can find a reg cab on the lot..
Want a sporty reg cab, short bed v8 2wd truck.. plan on ordering it.. At least up here in the snow belt.. and they don't want to even sell them.. as the out the door price will be the same as a ex cab long or short bed 4x4..
In 2013 I looked at trucks.. a new chevy z71 reg cab short box 4x4 was more than an extra cab, higher tirm,4x4 long or short box.. with the bigger engine and stronger trans..
6 dealers and only 1 reg cab short 4x4 .. and no 2wd reg cab short to be had..
you want a reg cab short 2wd they point you to the smaller truck..
Ford was no better,, other than they didn't have a smaller truck to point at..
Forget finding one that wasn't optioned to the moon..
If you were ok with the 2wd long box work truck with v6.. great.. but they didn't want to deal on those as they know the businesses will buy them..
and it's not really a sporty truck..
I wasn't able to drive in 70, but i'll bet you didn't have to buy a truck with option group 2&3 to get the 402 bbc .
try getting a 6.0 or 6.2 or the oil burner without it loaded up..

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by James the III

the "market" was you bought a TRUCK because you needed a TRUCK.. not like when driving a truck became an "in" thing..


When the trucks started to be the "in" thing a loaded truck started to have more comfort items..

I guess everyone has there own opinion on what time a pickup truck became truck became "in".

[67ChevyRedneck]

Where I live I see a lot of square bodies daily, but that's mostly because the dang things ran from 73-87 for the trucks and I think some models (burb/blazer) ran until 1991.

That said, the vast majority I see are the later model ones at the end of the run. It does seem that the 73-80's are in limited supply. I quickly skimmed my local craigslist and there's only a handful of 73-80 for sale but a much larger supply of 81-87's.

I grew up in NY, I know these trucks rusted terribly, even compared to the 67-72's. Ironically, here in SC it's still possible to find very clean with little to no rust examples of 73-80's, and some extremely nice 81-87's, while it's near impossible to find a "rust free" 67-72 anymore. Even time has finally caught up with SC trucks.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Where I live I see a lot of square bodies daily, but that's mostly because the dang things ran from 73-87 for the trucks and I think some models (burb/blazer) ran until 1991.

That said, the vast majority I see are the later model ones at the end of the run. It does seem that the 73-80's are in limited supply. I quickly skimmed my local craigslist and there's only a handful of 73-80 for sale but a much larger supply of 81-87's.

I grew up in NY, I know these trucks rusted terribly, even compared to the 67-72's. Ironically, here in SC it's still possible to find very clean with little to no rust examples of 73-80's, and some extremely nice 81-87's, while it's near impossible to find a "rust free" 67-72 anymore. Even time has finally caught up with SC trucks.

On topic of rust, to me square bodies appear/sound/feel like thinner sheet.

[cypressbog]

China saw a huge influx of steel trade to the U.S. beginning in the early 1970's. This China steel was inferior to U.S. made steel.

[46stude]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

On topic of rust, to me square bodies appear/sound/feel like thinner sheet.

That's funny. To me, I see the exact opposite. The '67-'72s were some crappy built trucks. The previous & following body styles always seemed built sturdier. I feel like I'm in a tin can in my Cheyenne. My '64 & my '84 just came off as better engineered to me.

On another note- lots of squares got upgraded to the later sheetmetal, so that may be why it seems the earlier versions are fewer.

[JustToxic]

Square body's are huge around where I'm at. With that being said, its more '78-'85 that you find. If you find a '73-'77 it is rusted out and falling apart. Old timer at the one junkyard I deal with said that early square body trucks had junk steel and if they saw a tiny bit of salt the body would fall off. May have something to do with what "cypressbog" is saying.

[outfield]

Here in Portland Oregon I see square bodies every day, 73-79, and 80 to 87's. The 67 to 72's not some much, but on sunny days they will come out...
Portland Craiglist has a bunch of square bodys, just a hand full of 67 to 72's.

[Toms67]

I think a lot of them fell victim to the gas guzzler rebate. Went to the crusher.