1972 Motor Trend truck review - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hgs_notes · 11-07-2009, 07:56 PM

I got this magazine off ebay and thought I'd share. It's not the best scan, but I think it's readable, for the most part.

**Palf70Step** · 11-07-2009, 08:11 PM

I am old. I remember reading that when it was new

Thanks for the scan & post.

71swb4x4 · 11-07-2009, 08:33 PM

The 360 in that Dodge really held it's own. It totally wiped the Chevy with the 350 and wasn't much behind the GMC's 402.

Zoomin · 11-07-2009, 10:29 PM

10-11 mpg, all while cranking out a 10 second 0-60.

I think mine still gets those numbers after 37 years.

unclewatts · 11-08-2009, 02:55 AM

Too bad they tested the Chevy with only a 2 barrel. Made it look wimpey.

*highperf4x4* · 11-08-2009, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomin

10-11 mpg, all while cranking out a 10 second 0-60.

I think mine still gets those numbers after 37 years.

My truck had the highest car of the year score!!

**special-K** · 11-08-2009, 10:24 PM

I don`t get it.Where`s the Ford?Why GMC,Chevy,Dodge,IH and not GM (either GMC or Chevy),Dodge,IH,Ford?

**Palf70Step** · 11-08-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I don`t get it.Where`s the Ford?Why GMC,Chevy,Dodge,IH and not GM (either GMC or Chevy),Dodge,IH,Ford?

They were already in the junkyard by then :

matthufham · 11-08-2009, 11:19 PM

wow, they mention the speedometer error. times have changed

unclewatts · 11-09-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I don`t get it.Where`s the Ford?Why GMC,Chevy,Dodge,IH and not GM (either GMC or Chevy),Dodge,IH,Ford?

You have to drive the truck to test it. Nobody wanted to drive a Ford.

*highperf4x4* · 11-09-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclewatts

You have to drive the truck to test it. Nobody wanted to drive a Ford.

**special-K** · 11-09-2009, 08:25 AM

It does send the message that Motor Trend puts the Ford in another class,whether lower or higher.It`s not like they didn`t have a spot for them in their 4 truck test.So,why test two that are virtually the same to fill the 4th spot?
Even back then,I didn`t put any stock in what Motor Trend said or did.Figure they named the AMC Matador 'Car of the Year".

I think they were trying to help AMC stay afloat.And,in this test they were getting a couple more bucks from GM.

screamin_c10 · 11-09-2009, 09:25 AM

I love how the GMC and Chevy are so similiar that they switched the photo captions....edito must have been asleep at the wheel...LOL

Thats some pretty cool nostalgia

rwolf9653 · 11-09-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

Figure they named the AMC Matador 'Car of the Year".

This made me chuckle.

hgs_notes · 11-09-2009, 09:47 AM

If it's anything like today, the magazines test what the manufacturers send them. Ford probably didn't send them a truck to test is all. I thought it odd that they had a writer with absolutely no truck experience write the article.

If you look at the spec sheet, they list both GMs as having the same final drive ratio of 3.73, both have TH trannys, but they had had completely different speeds at all RPM's.

BTW, the previous year car of the year was the Chevy Vega. Hows that for journalistic integrity?

FLDBRED · 11-09-2009, 12:18 PM

Great post,thanks for sharing!I can't believe they are that slow,my s-10 is quicker!

69GMCLonghorn · 11-09-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I am old. I remember reading that when it was new

Thanks for the scan & post.

I was BORN when this was written!

69GMCLonghorn · 11-09-2009, 03:27 PM

Hey, I don't suppose you have one for the 1969 trucks???

Also, how interesting is it that they didn't include FORD in that test... It probably broke down on the way to the test... HAHAHA

*highperf4x4* · 11-10-2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

If it's anything like today, the magazines test what the manufacturers send them. Ford probably didn't send them a truck to test is all. I thought it odd that they had a writer with absolutely no truck experience write the article.

If you look at the spec sheet, they list both GMs as having the same final drive ratio of 3.73, both have TH trannys, but they had had completely different speeds at all RPM's.

BTW, the previous year car of the year was the Chevy Vega. Hows that for journalistic integrity?

The trucks had different wheels and tire sizes.

What is wrong with a Chevy Vega? I had '76 myself. Tranny bolted right up to a 350. I had a friend that put a nova front end under his and dropped a 396 in it. Lotsa fun.

hgs_notes · 11-10-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

The trucks had different wheels and tire sizes.

What is wrong with a Chevy Vega? I had '76 myself. Tranny bolted right up to a 350. I had a friend that put a nova front end under his and dropped a 396 in it. Lotsa fun.

Good catch on the tire size, I missed that. As far as the vega goes, I've got nothing against them. But there wasn't a single other car in 1971 that was better? I was 4 at the time and not really paying attention yet to what was on the road, but come on, that's the best new car?

Heres the list of all the previous winners. There are some real poor selections in there.
2009 Nissan GT-R
2008 Cadillac CTS
2007 Toyota Camry
2006 Honda Civic
2005 Chrysler 300
2004 Toyota Prius
2003 Infiniti G35
2002 Ford Thunderbird
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2000 Lincoln LS
1999 Chrysler 300M
1998 Chevrolet Corvette
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
1996 Dodge Caravan
1995 Chrysler Cirrus
1994 Ford Mustang
1993 Ford Probe GT
1992 Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan
1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LTZ
1990 Lincoln Town Car
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC
1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
1986 Ford Taurus LX
1985 Volkswagen GTI (eligible due to it being built in VW's now-defunct Pennsylvania plant)
1984 Chevrolet Corvette
1983 AMC / Renault Alliance
1982 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
1981 Chrysler K Cars, Dodge Aries / Plymouth Reliant
1980 Chevrolet Citation
1979 Buick Riviera S
1978 Chrysler, Dodge Omni / Plymouth Horizon
1977 Chevrolet Caprice
1976 Chrysler, Dodge Aspen / Plymouth Volare
1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2
1974 Ford Mustang II
1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
1972 Citroën SM (An imported vehicle that was selected overall "Car of the Year")
1971 Chevrolet Vega
1970 Ford Torino
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
1968 Pontiac GTO
1967 Mercury Cougar
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado
1965 Pontiac Motor Division
1964 Ford Motor Company (Not for the Mustang)
1963 American MotorsRambler
1962 Buick Special
1961 Pontiac Tempest
1960 Chevrolet Corvair
1959 Pontiac Motor Division
1958 Ford Thunderbird
1957 Chrysler Corporation (all makes:Plymouth , Dodge, DeSoto , Chrysler , & Imperial ).
1956 Ford Motor Company
1955 Chevrolet Motor Division
1954 No award
1953 No award
1952 Cadillac Motor Division
1951 Chrysler Corporation
1950 No award
1949 Cadillac Motor Division

*highperf4x4* · 11-10-2009, 01:59 AM

Yeah good point!

70gmcjimmy · 11-10-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I don`t get it.Where`s the Ford?Why GMC,Chevy,Dodge,IH and not GM (either GMC or Chevy),Dodge,IH,Ford?

Hey K and all'

It also says the Chevy tested had 1450# coils and the GMC had 1750# leafs so both of GM's rear suspensions were tested. Incidentally it sounded like they liked the GMC's leafs better!

I have to go with 70Palfstep on the F%*d theory, or maybe fomoco didn't buy an ad in that months magazine!

Later---DAC

11-07-2009, 07:56 PM	#1
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	1972 Motor Trend truck review I got this magazine off ebay and thought I'd share. It's not the best scan, but I think it's readable, for the most part. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

11-07-2009, 08:11 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,220	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review I am old. I remember reading that when it was new Thanks for the scan & post. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-07-2009, 08:33 PM	#3
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review The 360 in that Dodge really held it's own. It totally wiped the Chevy with the 350 and wasn't much behind the GMC's 402. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

11-07-2009, 10:29 PM	#4
Zoomin Man of Mini-Talents Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 4,295	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review 10-11 mpg, all while cranking out a 10 second 0-60. I think mine still gets those numbers after 37 years.

11-08-2009, 02:55 AM	#5
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review Too bad they tested the Chevy with only a 2 barrel. Made it look wimpey. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

11-08-2009, 10:24 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review I don`t get it.Where`s the Ford?Why GMC,Chevy,Dodge,IH and not GM (either GMC or Chevy),Dodge,IH,Ford? __________________ "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 ~

11-08-2009, 11:19 PM	#9
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review wow, they mention the speedometer error. times have changed

11-09-2009, 08:25 AM	#12
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review It does send the message that Motor Trend puts the Ford in another class,whether lower or higher.It`s not like they didn`t have a spot for them in their 4 truck test.So,why test two that are virtually the same to fill the 4th spot? Even back then,I didn`t put any stock in what Motor Trend said or did.Figure they named the AMC Matador 'Car of the Year". I think they were trying to help AMC stay afloat.And,in this test they were getting a couple more bucks from GM. __________________ "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 ~

11-09-2009, 09:25 AM	#13
screamin_c10 I dun gradjiated collij!!! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: St. Helens Oregon Posts: 1,751	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review I love how the GMC and Chevy are so similiar that they switched the photo captions....edito must have been asleep at the wheel...LOL Thats some pretty cool nostalgia __________________ Built NOT Bought. Viper Red 1971 LWB C10 355 Vortec W/700R4 4/5 drop AKA Screamin' You are missed! 2006 F150 XLT 5.4L Triton Rollin' on 22s the "F1" 67 C20 PS/AC/327/TH400 we call 'er "Bessie" 67 Malibu PS/ZR1-LS1 Brakes/350 Vortec/700R4 2/2 drop on 18" 338s - Tracy's "Boo" Boosted '67 Cougar EFI 5.0 HO roller motor/T5/8.8 Tracloc/ 4 wheel disks - "Project Panther" 79 Honda Z50 - stretched, cafe'd and hotrodded 125CC Lifan/5spd FEAR THE MONKEY! Last edited by screamin_c10; 11-09-2009 at 09:26 AM.

11-09-2009, 09:47 AM	#15
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review If it's anything like today, the magazines test what the manufacturers send them. Ford probably didn't send them a truck to test is all. I thought it odd that they had a writer with absolutely no truck experience write the article. If you look at the spec sheet, they list both GMs as having the same final drive ratio of 3.73, both have TH trannys, but they had had completely different speeds at all RPM's. BTW, the previous year car of the year was the Chevy Vega. Hows that for journalistic integrity? __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

11-09-2009, 12:18 PM	#16
FLDBRED Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CENTRAL,NJ Posts: 586	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review Great post,thanks for sharing!I can't believe they are that slow,my s-10 is quicker!

11-09-2009, 03:27 PM	#18
69GMCLonghorn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Porter Ranch, CA Posts: 978	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review Hey, I don't suppose you have one for the 1969 trucks??? Also, how interesting is it that they didn't include FORD in that test... It probably broke down on the way to the test... HAHAHA

11-10-2009, 01:59 AM	#21
highperf4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 4,709	Re: 1972 Motor Trend truck review Yeah good point!

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