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#1 |
Saving 1 truck at a time!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 6,465
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Score Of A Lifetime!
As some of you may know, I am working on my 1968 50th Anniversary Longhorn. I looked up the name on the Proteco Plate and located the original owner. I called him and after a long discussion about the truck I asked him if knew what happened to the tailgate. He said he had it in his garage along with alot of other stuff..."I never throw anything away" he said! Gotta love those guys. He pulled the gate after about three days along with the swaybar, some leaf springs. He also pulled the steering wheel after a bit and repaced it. He also had the original hubcaps and some NOS trim. After months of waiting and his recovery from an operation, I got the parts today. They were much better than expected! Pics of Leo and my Dad and some of the parts. They are so nice I almost hate to put them on the truck...LOL! I will just wait until the new paint is on there!
I have looked for 3 years for a "3-day" tailgate at garage sales but who would have ever thought that I would find the original gate from my truck in this condition?
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'68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 06-27-2005 at 12:38 AM. |
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#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Calgary Alberta
Posts: 1,936
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Got to love those old guys, never throw anything away. How long ago did he sell the truck? Great score!
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67- 72 Parts collecter |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SOMERSET KY.
Posts: 6,427
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junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. ![]() LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST |
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#4 |
Member since 2000
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico
Posts: 7,879
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I say you drop that tail gate on the wall and find another one for the truck. Awesome score! But i think what so cool about this is the way you got it.
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#5 |
Saving 1 truck at a time!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 6,465
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classicchev, He traded the truck to some folks that were doing some landscaping for him about 3 yrs. ago. They tried to hot rod the truck and pulled all the trim and bondoed the holes. They did not do much damage otherwise...it still had all the original paperwork, documents and hardware except the missing tailgate, hubcaps etc. The original owner is going to give me pictures of the truck when it was new!
Alexis, I wanted to do a 100 pt. restoration but am thinking I would like to "over restore" it now. That would mean better paint than original. In that case I will hang it on the wall and finish another gate for the truck...SICK! What amazed me was the steering wheel...it looks like glass. I wish my digital camera was better! The wheel is just incredible!
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'68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) |
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#6 |
'68 C-20 396 CST CC
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 454
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Congrats on the super big score Mike!
You LUCKY dog!!! I love the hubcaps, for sure the better CAUSE THEY CAME ON YOUR OWN TRUCK!! That's a Kharma thing, fella--Chevy God's giving you gifts... Chris
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68 C-20 396/TH400 CST Custom Camper NOW W/DISC BRAKES ![]() 01 Jetta Turbo Daily Driver ![]() 84 Yamaha Virago 700 - Alaska to Florida Via Maine & Mexico ![]() |
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#7 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Yoncalla Oregon
Posts: 775
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Man, it doesn't get any better than that.
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#8 |
72 LONGHORN OWNER
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Seattle Wash.
Posts: 963
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Great score...........Mike.................That gate should hang on your living room wall......
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72-SUPER CHEYENNE/20 LONGHORN 70-C/30 DUALLY |
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#9 |
Saving 1 truck at a time!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 6,465
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Rene, Thanks, but on close inspection these caps are daily drivers...I am still looking for some "show" hubcaps...do you know where I can get some????
Leo only lives about 2 miles from my parents so I told him when the truck is done I will drive to Portland and take him for a ride in it! That will be fun!
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'68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Calgary, Alberta,Canada
Posts: 1,595
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Thats AWSOME!!! The old guy must be proud someone like you has the truck now??
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I know what your thinking.......I have ESPN. ![]() Sometimes it's easier to do things the hard way. ![]() Fesler Built 1968 Chevy C10....Must resist the urge to mess with it!! ![]() ![]() |
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#11 |
Half a bubble off!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Winfield, Ks, USA
Posts: 5,588
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Great score and cool story to go with it! Did he say why he took those parts off in the first place? Especially the sway bar.
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Just call me LB. ![]() '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads. |
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#12 |
Half a bubble off!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Winfield, Ks, USA
Posts: 5,588
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Oh, and by the way, in that pic your Dad and Leo almost look like they could be brothers. No offense meant, that was just the thought that entered my mind when I first looked at that pic.
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Just call me LB. ![]() '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads. |
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#13 |
Saving 1 truck at a time!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 6,465
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barn9, He pulled the sway bar and springs since the ride was too harsh! He pulled the tailgate to put on a canopy w/door (topper for you East Coasters). He never loaded the truck and the box was covered so it is pretty nice. They do look alike, don't they...LOL! My Dad is 80 and Leo is 78!
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'68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) |
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#14 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field
Posts: 5,597
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That has to be the best truck story I ever heard. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy either!
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#15 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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dude, it was awsome whan you told me about it, and even more awsome seeing the pics!
What do you want for one of the hub caps? (since you want better ones) If you won't hang the stuff up on the wall...I will! |
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#16 |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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That's just bada$$!
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. ![]() We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
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#17 |
Just here to help
![]() Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Norwood,Mo
Posts: 3,893
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Awesome story and a great find Congrats!!!!
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#18 | |
67 is sold
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Troy, Michigan
Posts: 6,738
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Quote:
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#19 |
I make Models
![]() Join Date: May 2005
Location: Bucks, PA
Posts: 626
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I just love the stories that are attached to some projects.....Awesome score...sounds like you picked up a new friend in the deal....Paul
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#20 |
User #12137
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: kingsport,upper east tenn
Posts: 11,598
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man talk about lucky !! you truely are !! and i wouldnt use the stuff on my truck if they were mine the would go on the wall for art
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#21 |
Lovin' Arizona Since 1961
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Camp Verde, Arizona
Posts: 173
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Man, that is AMAZING! Congrats! H.
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"Religion is like a toothbrush: Everybody should have one, but I don't want yours" - Will Rogers |
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#22 |
Saving 1 truck at a time!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 6,465
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Thanks for all of the words of encouragement guys.
I looked for a 50th Anniversary Longhorn for 3 years but was still on the fence when I found this one. Thanks to elkhunter (Mark) for rescuing the Longhorn from his neighbor (who acquired it from Leo) and trading it to me for my '68 GMC short fleetside. This restoration, back to stock, is really turning into an adventure, especially searching for all the stock parts to put back on the truck. I intend to keep everyone posted on the progress. Thanks to Andy (Longhorn Man) for his encouragement as well on this project. It is going to take quite a bit of time to get this one done but it will be an enjoyable journey...LOL!
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'68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) |
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#23 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Williston, ND
Posts: 2,999
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WOW! That's awesome. Not too many of those finds anymore. Congrats on the parts and hope you have fun restoring that rare pickup
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68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi |
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#24 |
"Trucks with Class"
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA
Posts: 8,132
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Those parts are so nice, I actually thought it was an "honor" to see them in person yesterday. Great pieces and a great story. Love them Longhorns.
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Port Alberni British Columbia
Posts: 249
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Dude that is an excellent story.When I bought my truck 8 years ago the guy had tons of parts left over(he said he bought 8 trucks to take parts off,1 he got just 4 the door panels!)Anyways after buying it and him seeing me around town looking after it we just kept in touch and became good friends.He then gave me a ton of spare parts.These trucks have a way of helping making and meeting new friends.
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