My First C10 (72' fleetside) - 2,100mi drive home - Photos

[Ekliptix]

Hi, I think this is my first post on here but I've been creeping for a while.

My Dad has a black 72 big block. I fell in love with it years ago and have been looking for a C10 of my own since the start of 2013. I had my heart set on a 2 tone one, ideally red and white, but I wasn't able to track one down in the condition and price range I wanted. If finally found this one in Palm Springs, CA.

I just got back Sunday after driving 2,100mi back to Houston, TX. The plan was to avoid I10 which is boring and full of big rigs. My fellow Canadian and friend who lives in my Houston community with me shared the driving, and we saw a lot of the US including 3 boarder guard stations where they were all friendly and asked more questions about the truck then us.

Average fuel economy driving 65-75mph: 12.1mpg. Best tank was 13.5mpg. Worst was 10.1mpg.
Top speed: 97mph (gps) for a few seconds.

The truck:

1972 Super Cheyenne Fleetside
Motor: Stock 350 with edelbrock 600 4 barrel carb.
AC: Thank God, with a newer compressor.
Miles: 79,000miles now
Color: Dark olive green. Stock color.
Previous owners: 1. The owner passed and his daughter sold the truck to me through a classic car dealer in LA. There is zero documentation which I'm not thrilled with but I will be calling the daughter every 6 months to see if she's come across it.
Plans: Fix the horn (not working), put lots of miles on enjoying it. Maybe better headlights. A 5.3L vortec is a possabilty later, but I'm enjoying my first carb'ed vehicle for now. The 12mpg drive home is a distant memory already.
Note: This is my first non manual vehicle.

The planned route:


The actual route after wandering around:


Pic
Shuttle meeting us at the airport in California to head to the dealership

king it up


Driving at dawn


Happy mofo


Making miles




I've been *****ing about how ugly Houston is (damn it is), but west Texas is a lot nicer. This is Big Bend National Park.


We hugged the TX/Mexican boarder for hundreds of miles. Texas on or left, Mexico on our right, running into a ton of boarder guards/trucks/ATVs. This is looking back (Mexico on the left of this photo).


Somewhere in Arizona


One the way into Big Bend Park, TX





The Rio Grand river separating Mexico and the US.


Old ass diner. We had lunch there. I was told these buildings were sold as kits for a 'dinner in a box' promo. There were a ton of them across the US way back when, apparently.




Night driving


My co-pilot


Texas park guide showing us some road options within Big Bend Park


It rained a lot actually.


Retired aircraft carrier in Corpus Christi, TX. I've been on it before and it is freaking massive


Finally home on Sunday. 3lbs of dead bugs on the truck. Chevy Cruize is tucked in begin the truck.


Up early Monday morning to start cleaning. The result.






Paint is awesome




Miles


Good example of the color in full sun.

[tommys72]

Nice truck. ..with tilt and a tach on top of it
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[DUTCHMAN]

Hey EKLIPTIX, Great truck, great journey and nice pictures.
Enjoy your truck.

[bigmac73]

good looking truck , you never said what you gave for it ?

[del4fun]

That is one nice green fleet! How much did you have to give them?

[slow-1]

Nice truck and great story...thanks for sharing.

[SuperC10Tex]

Nice Truck! Texas is home to another beauty!!

[OregonNed]

That is a beauty! Congrats, man!

[leddzepp]

I see the license plate frame. Did you get the truck from that classic car dealer in Yucaipa? My truck came out of Palm Springs too...it is totally rust free, and I imagine yours is as well.

[Lee H]

Welcome to the forum. Nice truck!!

[docstheman]

Sweet truck. Always glad to hear another came to TX. Maybe I will get to see it sometime.

[camrycurt]

Welcome! Beautiful truck and great story. Thanks for sharing!

[Hart_Rod]

Nice truck (and vette )!

[c10Dream'n]

holy smokes, what a journey...great pics...and lastly, NICE TRUCK!!!!!!

[grancuda]

Looks like it was a fun trip & a nice truck you ended up with.
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[lil hoodlum]

Welcome to the forum!

I really enjoyed your story! Great looking truck to boot!

I have been to Big Bend National Park many, many times. It seems you drove down Highway 90 to San Antonio. Nice little drive! I grew up in Corpus Christi. The aircraft carrier is the U.S.S. Lexington, the "grey ghost."

Keith

[bodydropped68]

Awesome looks like a very nice truck and a great drive can't wait to see more enjoy and welcome to the board

[hopped up]

hey jon oro ,looks like since jake is gone to college you sold his truck! dont think hed appreciate that
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[BB72CHEVKT]

What a beauty!

[MusicMan70]

Welcome; Awesome Pics and Story as well!

[68 short step]

looks like you had a good road trip, thanks for the pics

[big_al_71]

looks like a great experience....

[Ekliptix]

Originally Posted by tommys72

Nice truck. ..with tilt and a tach on top of it
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Thanks, today I noticed the end of the indicator/signal lever has a button with cruise marked on it.....it doesn't seem to work but I'm surprised to think cruise was even around back then. Maybe a retrofit was made that I'll need to get working again.

Originally Posted by bigmac73

good looking truck , you never said what you gave for it ?

Low 20's.

Originally Posted by del4fun

That is one nice green fleet! How much did you have to give them?

Low 20's.

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Nice truck (and vette )!

Thanks. The vette felt like a rocket ship after getting out of the truck. Here's a vid at the drag strip: http://youtu.be/PS53i_h9ggQ

Originally Posted by leddzepp

I see the license plate frame. Did you get the truck from that classic car dealer in Yucaipa? My truck came out of Palm Springs too...it is totally rust free, and I imagine yours is as well.

Yep, that's the place. Mixed experience dealing with them. Anyone can PM me for more details if they want.

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Ok OP, you're already sort of breaking the unwritten code of conduct lol. That being....you came on here 6 days ago and made your first post, and haven't made a single post since.

We've seen this before, and the guy never posts again. Hope you're not one of them. Would like to see you participate more. Loved your pics and story
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Haha, I'm not going to hit and quit this board. I actually have a bunch of questions I need input on. Will start a separate thread.

[Ekliptix]

First carshow:


I want to protect the paint so I tried 3M's spray on protection kit.




Unfortunately, it didn't dry evenly. The good news is I can just pull it off without harm. 3M will be getting an email asking how to avoid this in my second attempt. I suspect they'll say "don't put it on so heavy".

[Mayo]

Beautiful truck and awesome adventure! I'd love to do something like that one day.