1968 K20 Panel Firetruck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MattPSU · 01-15-2021, 08:33 PM

A few weeks back a friend of mine saw this truck at a fire truck service shop. We were firemen together in my younger years, and he knows I have a passion for old Chevy trucks, so he had to share it with me. I had to know more so I called the shop owner to see what I could find out. Long story short, I now own it!

It's a 1968 K20 Panel truck that was converted into a mini-pumper by Bruco in Altoona, PA for the Blairsville, PA Volunteer Fire Department. It served them for years and was donated to Aultman, PA VFD to replace one of their trucks when their station burned down. Several years later it was traded to a fire truck repair shop for their services, and it sat in the owners yard for the last 10 or so years. It's a 4x4 with a 327 and 4 speed manual transmission. It has a 250gpm pto driven pump and at one time it had a 300 gallon water tank and hose reel. The tank, hose reel, siren, spot lights and radio were kept by the Aultman VFD.

It looks like there were only 68 4x4 K20 Panel trucks made in 1968, so I'm thinking it's pretty rare. I'm guessing only a few were turned into a firetruck. This may be the only one.

My father and grandfather both served as fire chief in my home town (North Apollo, PA) and I was a volunteer fireman when I lived there as well.

Now I own Carolina Truck Shop which specializes in restoring and customizing 1960-1999 Chevy & GMC trucks. I've always wanted to combine these two interests and own a classic Chevy firetruck.

We plan to repair all of the rust while keeping as much of the original paint and patina in tact. It'll then be used to promote my business at car shows, parades and other events.

Enjoy!

**lks dcvn** · 01-15-2021, 09:22 PM

Pretty neat!

**Joesjunk** · 01-15-2021, 09:27 PM

Nice find, and yes only 68 made. I had this retired fire department one a few years ago.

**57NAPCO** · 01-16-2021, 11:20 AM

...and you sold it ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joesjunk

Nice find, and yes only 68 made. I had this retired fire department one a few years ago.

tim_mc · 01-15-2021, 09:24 PM

very cool!

Lee H · 01-15-2021, 09:35 PM

Nice. Brings back memories. I was a volunteer fire fighter in eastern Nebraska at about that time. We had 4 early 70s C20 4x4s, pump truck, weed truck, couple utilities.

**DeadheadNM** · 01-15-2021, 10:02 PM

Great find. Good luck with the build. Here’s a similar one: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=678516

truckster · 01-15-2021, 10:26 PM

Nice score. It looks like it has a standing platform on the back.

toms68cst · 01-15-2021, 10:35 PM

Super rare and a great history on the old truck. Congrats on your find. I'm anxious to see that truck get fixed up.

**special-K** · 01-16-2021, 06:20 AM

Yes sir, great rare find indeed. It seems unusual to have built a pumper from a panel truck. I wouldn't be surprised if it is the only one.

palallin · 01-16-2021, 10:45 AM

Any idea what was in the hole in the radio delete?

01-15-2021, 08:33 PM	#1
MattPSU Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Lyman, SC Posts: 734	1968 K20 Panel Firetruck A few weeks back a friend of mine saw this truck at a fire truck service shop. We were firemen together in my younger years, and he knows I have a passion for old Chevy trucks, so he had to share it with me. I had to know more so I called the shop owner to see what I could find out. Long story short, I now own it! It's a 1968 K20 Panel truck that was converted into a mini-pumper by Bruco in Altoona, PA for the Blairsville, PA Volunteer Fire Department. It served them for years and was donated to Aultman, PA VFD to replace one of their trucks when their station burned down. Several years later it was traded to a fire truck repair shop for their services, and it sat in the owners yard for the last 10 or so years. It's a 4x4 with a 327 and 4 speed manual transmission. It has a 250gpm pto driven pump and at one time it had a 300 gallon water tank and hose reel. The tank, hose reel, siren, spot lights and radio were kept by the Aultman VFD. It looks like there were only 68 4x4 K20 Panel trucks made in 1968, so I'm thinking it's pretty rare. I'm guessing only a few were turned into a firetruck. This may be the only one. My father and grandfather both served as fire chief in my home town (North Apollo, PA) and I was a volunteer fireman when I lived there as well. Now I own Carolina Truck Shop which specializes in restoring and customizing 1960-1999 Chevy & GMC trucks. I've always wanted to combine these two interests and own a classic Chevy firetruck. We plan to repair all of the rust while keeping as much of the original paint and patina in tact. It'll then be used to promote my business at car shows, parades and other events. Enjoy! Attached Images __________________ Matt Criswell - Lyman, SC 1972 Chevy Cheyenne SWB - Build: Porterbuilt State 1 Front & Rear, Bolt in Notch, McGaughys 2.5 Drop Spindles, Boyd Welding Fuel Tank UPSTATE SC GM TRUCK CLUB: FACEBOOK WEBSITE

01-15-2021, 09:22 PM	#2
lks dcvn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 4,348	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck Pretty neat!

01-15-2021, 09:27 PM	#3
Joesjunk Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Independence MO. Posts: 7,708	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck Nice find, and yes only 68 made. I had this retired fire department one a few years ago. Attached Images __________________ 72 3/4t Custom Deluxe 402/auto 66k Original paint 71 3/4t 4x4 Custom Deluxe 10k original miles Original paint 71 3/4t Cheyenne 402 70k original paint 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 72 3/4t 4x4 Custom deluxe 91k original paint 72 Cheyenne/30 Dually 69 Camaro SS396 4-speed 13 GMC 2500HD Duramax I bought new 05 Jeep Wrangler "Willys Edition" 12k miles (I bought new) 85 3/4 ton 4x4 Scottsdale 33k miles original paint 86 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 454 restored 80 1 ton 4x4 SRW Silverado 9,434 original miles!! original paint 95 GMC 1 ton dually 4x4 my dad bought new 95 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4, regular cab 454, 31k original miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 6.0L 67k miles 2002 2500HD 4x4 regular cab 8.1L 28k miles 2003 GMC 2500HD 4x4 regular cab Diesel 93k miles 67-72 Parts for sale

01-15-2021, 09:24 PM	#5
tim_mc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: St Peters, MO Posts: 444	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck very cool! __________________ 1967 C20, 350 SBC w/Comp roller cam, 700R4 w/3.42 posi, PS, 4-wheel PDB, Old Air AC & GM Tilt column.

01-15-2021, 09:35 PM	#6
Lee H Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upland Ca Posts: 4,147	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck Nice. Brings back memories. I was a volunteer fire fighter in eastern Nebraska at about that time. We had 4 early 70s C20 4x4s, pump truck, weed truck, couple utilities. __________________ 1972 C10 SWB, Air, PS, PB, 350/350THM. Second owner. 1965 Corvette roadster, 44K miles, 327/365 SHP, 4 speed, side exhaust, knockoffs, teak, second owner (bought in 1970), Have ALL numbers matching components. My frame off restoration thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556703

01-15-2021, 10:02 PM	#7
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,449	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck Great find. Good luck with the build. Here’s a similar one: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=678516 __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland

01-15-2021, 10:26 PM	#8
truckster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,978	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck Nice score. It looks like it has a standing platform on the back. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

01-15-2021, 10:35 PM	#9
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,296	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck Super rare and a great history on the old truck. Congrats on your find. I'm anxious to see that truck get fixed up. __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

01-16-2021, 06:20 AM	#10
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck Yes sir, great rare find indeed. It seems unusual to have built a pumper from a panel truck. I wouldn't be surprised if it is the only one. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-16-2021, 10:45 AM	#11
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,238	Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck Any idea what was in the hole in the radio delete? __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.



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