Seattle has a million chevy trucks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RED72blazer · 10-29-2002, 04:45 PM

I was just reading a post about a gut that went to new york and back and only saw about 5 of the 67-72 chevys. that sucks!!!!!!!!
I see more than five going from my house to a main road. We're buried in chevys. I don't mean to brag, but within a 5 block radius from my house I know of a 67 K20, a 71 c-10, 68 c-20?(it's a beater), a 68swb (It's yellow with a blower and a 454), a 71 blazer, and a purple and white 72. I feel sorry for the rest of the country. IPeople actually give these away up here. I got my blazer for 500 bucks. If anyone wants help finding a truck for cheap let me know.

**COBALT** · 10-29-2002, 05:34 PM

Well, that's true, but what I found out when I went looking for one to buy is the trucks in our area fall into specific categories:

1. Lots of work done to it. The owner either bought it from someone who did the work (in which case its a toy), and doesn't want to sell, or they did the work themselves and want too much money for it. Generally the guys who want too much money did a poor job anyway. RARELY did I ever find someone who did some GOOD work and they want to sell. Probably couldn't afford it anyway.

2. The truck is a piece of crap. It's been so abused its only good for parts, or you know there's some serious issues with it. By the way the owner wants $2500 for it.

3. The guy is thinking about one day restoring it, so hands off. It's generally in pretty good shape, but they're not going to sell. They're just sitting on it. When asked about it they give you an ear-full that sounds suspiciously like BS. They're self-proclaimed experts. "Yeah, its one of those rare SS models. It had a 454 in it from the factory...". Um...yeah right.

4. Projects gone bad. I remember one time I was going out to work on my truck at my dad's place, and I passed two of these in less than 5 miles of road. One had been lowered by cutting the springs, and the engine compartment had been completely hacked up with some serious attempts to fill the body with bondo. The other had been fitted with fiberglass panels which didn't fit, and had 3 different kinds of primer, and still had the original never-rebuilt driveline in it. Both were being sold above $2500. It took them months to move but somebody bought them in time.

5. Rotting trucks. This is the one that makes me mad. The truck is sitting in a field, or front yard, and isn't being used and the owner doesn't want to sell. It's just rotting. I even found trucks WITH For Sale signs on it, but the owners were too lazy or not serious about selling it! Come on! Either sell it or put it under cover!

6. Finally. People like us. The true Chevy owners. They work hard at fixing their trucks, they keep them in good shape, and they have fun driving them. Sometimes they're willing to part with trucks they've held onto to act as work trucks, and THOSE are the trucks you want.

Therefore, out of all of the thousands of trucks only a handfull are for sale and in decent enough shape to restore or get good parts off of.

stllookn · 10-29-2002, 07:17 PM

RED72blazer....SSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH! You want to blow this thing before we get our trucks restored? COBALT....I have had my eye on an unmolested 3/4 t. 4x4 with winch and all the trimmings. Stopped to ask, finally, and got the story that the owner will never sell it and won't even look at it. He is doing the same with the rustic old "A-Frame" house on the property. Both belonged to his parents who died in a tragic accident so he will never go to the property or sell any of the things there. They are all in an incredible state of disrepair. Someone is renting a trailer on the property and running a business out of it and says the guy just went nuts and is wasting all these assetts. Go figure!

**COBALT** · 10-29-2002, 07:27 PM

Sounds like that guy needs a grief counselor. What you said got me thinking about estate sales. That's, sadly, a VERY good place to find good vehicles. Kinda like looking for apartments in NY - through the obituaries. It's pathetic, but that's the way life is.

The guy needs to get over it, and move on. When my sister died in '96 my parents and I sort of avoided her room for a while, until we realized that it was a complete waste. We still have a lot of her personal stuff, but everything else we either gave away, or put to other uses. I guess that's what happens when you have a family that's more practical than sentimental.

stllookn · 10-29-2002, 07:48 PM

Sorry about your sister...sounds like you and your family are dealing with it. I lost a couple of young cousins and I still think about them from time to time...hard not to. It would be tougher to lose a sibling.

I look at that "A-Frame" every time I drive to Snoqualmie and marvel at how a guy could let $250,000+ building go to seed! It would not even make good firewood now. The truck is just about grown over now too...I might just stop by again some time to really check it out to see what he wasted.

RainDog · 10-29-2002, 08:43 PM

Hey stllookn, here's what I got on the back burner--1967 C10, only 40,000 original miles, OD transmission, HD springs, orig. owner's manual, etc., 100% perfectly straight, NO rust, I just happened to notice it sitting in my uncle's neighbor's yard, walked across the street, and turns out the guy was just going to TAKE IT TO THE JUNKYARD as soon as he was done re-landscaping his mother's property and buy himself a new Toyota pickup. Told him I'd take it off his hands, so he should be calling me any day

SCORE!

RainDog

stllookn · 10-29-2002, 08:56 PM

Damn....DOG!!!!!!!! Nice score...want to double your money on that one? If you tell me it's a short fleet I'm going out in the pasture and shoot myself! So what are your plans for it!!! Post some pics of the new ride!!!!!!!!

dion · 10-29-2002, 11:24 PM

It's true, I was up there a while back and I saw them all over the place, even more than I see here in San Diego, which I didn't think was possible since I see many every day.

mikep · 10-30-2002, 01:48 AM

I see tons of them every day in Western Washington. Even the junkyards here have trucks that I wonder why they are there. Ive owned quite a few 67-72's and I have never paid more than $1000 for a decent running straight 67-72 in the state of washington. My last 69 C10 I paid $450 for and it had a damned near perfect interior and only surface rust. My current C20 I paid $500 for and the body was in excellent condition with only surface rust and it had a 396 in it when I got it . Ran great except for slight oil consumption and I sold the motor for twice what I paid for the truck.
Restored trucks are going to cost you a lot everywhere but good bases for projects are everywhere you look. Sure you see some idiot asking $2000 or more for beat up non running stepsides but they are usually for sale FOREVER. To each his own but this is the land of supply and demand.
I will have to say that if you are looking for longbed fleetside 3/4 tons that this is the place to be. I see more C20's and 3/4 ton GMC's here than anything by far.

Lippyp · 10-30-2002, 04:33 AM

I am green with envy, oh to be able to walk into a junkyard and see a Chevy (any Chevy), oh to not have to pay more for shipping a part than for the part! I guess it would be just as tough though to run a European classic in the US as running an American Classic here in the UK.

I get angry when I see classics rusting away in gardens over here, but each to their own, I think it only becomes a real issue when something is very rare, like one of the half dozen or so lightweight racing E-Type Jags ever made that was found stored in a container in the US where it had been for about thirty years, fortunately now sympathetically restored.

I understand the holding onto stuff because of grief thing though, my wife and I lost our first child last year during her birth and some of her stuff in the house we never wanted to look at again and gave away and some of it we will never throw out.

Sheesh, getting kinda mushy here!

The way I resign myself to those vehicles rusting in peace is that each one that goes to truck heaven makes your own slightly more sought after, slightly more unusual and slightly more valuable!

Pont · 10-30-2002, 06:12 AM

Well said Lippy

bouncytruck · 10-30-2002, 02:30 PM

Yes, there are a lot of old chevy's around here. In my neighborhood, there are two 2wd longbeds and in the surrounding neighborhoods, I know of 3 Blazers, 1 Jimmy, a short step, and a lwb. I see a sweet baby blue Blazer when I pass the park & ride every day and a guy at the upolstry shop next to my office has a 3/4 ton longbed 4x4 for sale (tempting).

Where are the best junk yards in the area?

stllookn- you said that the you go up to snohomish a lot? Have you been to PICKUPS NW by the airport? The owner is really nice and there are usually some nice trucks around there. There prices aren't too bad and if you aren't paying shipping, it makes them less than many of the other catalogs.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 10-30-2002, 02:45 PM

Say bouncytruck, I was up in your neighborhood yesterday and didn't even realize it. I was just off of 220th buying a 72 Cheyenne 20 Super!! (Real Sweet Truck) I couldn't bring it home because I was by myself, so I have to return up there to get it... It would be cool to meet you, see your Blazer and maybe take a peak at your neighbors truck while I am up there.... You going to be arround this weak? WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

mikep · 10-30-2002, 02:53 PM

I'd say the best junkyard for trucks and our trucks in particular is airport auto wrecking just outside bremerton on hwy 3 . Its in the back yard almost of bremerton speedway. Theyve got 20 + trucks of our vintage in pretty complete condition plus a lot of newer stuff up to the late 70's and early 80's

bouncytruck · 10-30-2002, 06:40 PM

WES - I'm usually at work on weekdays. I should be home all day on Sunday though. When are you planning on heading up this way?

RainDog · 10-30-2002, 08:38 PM

There's a pretty good boneyard down by Auburn, I think it's called AAA Auto Wrecking, right on the river, 272nd exit from 167 South. Usually have at least 3 or 4 decent 67-72's.

p.s. if anybody's ever in the Burien area, stop by Sal's Deli for lunch *grin* that's my dad's sandwich shop, been in business almost 34 years

RainDog

Hutch · 10-30-2002, 09:02 PM

Quote:

I guess it would be just as tough though to run a European classic in the US as running an American Classic here in the UK.

Yes it is tough

Cars In Barns

above site is not intended for the faint hearted

10-29-2002, 04:45 PM	#1
RED72blazer urban fourwheelin Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,007	Seattle has a million chevy trucks I was just reading a post about a gut that went to new york and back and only saw about 5 of the 67-72 chevys. that sucks!!!!!!!! I see more than five going from my house to a main road. We're buried in chevys. I don't mean to brag, but within a 5 block radius from my house I know of a 67 K20, a 71 c-10, 68 c-20?(it's a beater), a 68swb (It's yellow with a blower and a 454), a 71 blazer, and a purple and white 72. I feel sorry for the rest of the country. IPeople actually give these away up here. I got my blazer for 500 bucks. If anyone wants help finding a truck for cheap let me know.

10-29-2002, 05:34 PM	#2
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Well, that's true, but what I found out when I went looking for one to buy is the trucks in our area fall into specific categories: 1. Lots of work done to it. The owner either bought it from someone who did the work (in which case its a toy), and doesn't want to sell, or they did the work themselves and want too much money for it. Generally the guys who want too much money did a poor job anyway. RARELY did I ever find someone who did some GOOD work and they want to sell. Probably couldn't afford it anyway. 2. The truck is a piece of crap. It's been so abused its only good for parts, or you know there's some serious issues with it. By the way the owner wants $2500 for it. 3. The guy is thinking about one day restoring it, so hands off. It's generally in pretty good shape, but they're not going to sell. They're just sitting on it. When asked about it they give you an ear-full that sounds suspiciously like BS. They're self-proclaimed experts. "Yeah, its one of those rare SS models. It had a 454 in it from the factory...". Um...yeah right. 4. Projects gone bad. I remember one time I was going out to work on my truck at my dad's place, and I passed two of these in less than 5 miles of road. One had been lowered by cutting the springs, and the engine compartment had been completely hacked up with some serious attempts to fill the body with bondo. The other had been fitted with fiberglass panels which didn't fit, and had 3 different kinds of primer, and still had the original never-rebuilt driveline in it. Both were being sold above $2500. It took them months to move but somebody bought them in time. 5. Rotting trucks. This is the one that makes me mad. The truck is sitting in a field, or front yard, and isn't being used and the owner doesn't want to sell. It's just rotting. I even found trucks WITH For Sale signs on it, but the owners were too lazy or not serious about selling it! Come on! Either sell it or put it under cover! 6. Finally. People like us. The true Chevy owners. They work hard at fixing their trucks, they keep them in good shape, and they have fun driving them. Sometimes they're willing to part with trucks they've held onto to act as work trucks, and THOSE are the trucks you want. Therefore, out of all of the thousands of trucks only a handfull are for sale and in decent enough shape to restore or get good parts off of. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-29-2002, 07:17 PM	#3
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	RED72blazer....SSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH! You want to blow this thing before we get our trucks restored? COBALT....I have had my eye on an unmolested 3/4 t. 4x4 with winch and all the trimmings. Stopped to ask, finally, and got the story that the owner will never sell it and won't even look at it. He is doing the same with the rustic old "A-Frame" house on the property. Both belonged to his parents who died in a tragic accident so he will never go to the property or sell any of the things there. They are all in an incredible state of disrepair. Someone is renting a trailer on the property and running a business out of it and says the guy just went nuts and is wasting all these assetts. Go figure! __________________ '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)

10-29-2002, 07:27 PM	#4
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Sounds like that guy needs a grief counselor. What you said got me thinking about estate sales. That's, sadly, a VERY good place to find good vehicles. Kinda like looking for apartments in NY - through the obituaries. It's pathetic, but that's the way life is. The guy needs to get over it, and move on. When my sister died in '96 my parents and I sort of avoided her room for a while, until we realized that it was a complete waste. We still have a lot of her personal stuff, but everything else we either gave away, or put to other uses. I guess that's what happens when you have a family that's more practical than sentimental. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-29-2002, 07:48 PM	#5
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Sorry about your sister...sounds like you and your family are dealing with it. I lost a couple of young cousins and I still think about them from time to time...hard not to. It would be tougher to lose a sibling. I look at that "A-Frame" every time I drive to Snoqualmie and marvel at how a guy could let $250,000+ building go to seed! It would not even make good firewood now. The truck is just about grown over now too...I might just stop by again some time to really check it out to see what he wasted. __________________ '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)

10-29-2002, 08:43 PM	#6
RainDog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burien, WA, USA Posts: 391	Hey stllookn, here's what I got on the back burner--1967 C10, only 40,000 original miles, OD transmission, HD springs, orig. owner's manual, etc., 100% perfectly straight, NO rust, I just happened to notice it sitting in my uncle's neighbor's yard, walked across the street, and turns out the guy was just going to TAKE IT TO THE JUNKYARD as soon as he was done re-landscaping his mother's property and buy himself a new Toyota pickup. Told him I'd take it off his hands, so he should be calling me any day SCORE! RainDog __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."

10-29-2002, 08:56 PM	#7
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Damn....DOG!!!!!!!! Nice score...want to double your money on that one? If you tell me it's a short fleet I'm going out in the pasture and shoot myself! So what are your plans for it!!! Post some pics of the new ride!!!!!!!! __________________ '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)

10-29-2002, 11:24 PM	#8
dion 72 Cheyenne Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,086	It's true, I was up there a while back and I saw them all over the place, even more than I see here in San Diego, which I didn't think was possible since I see many every day. __________________ Burnout Idle 1972Cheyenne 1966/67Stouts

10-30-2002, 01:48 AM	#9
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I see tons of them every day in Western Washington. Even the junkyards here have trucks that I wonder why they are there. Ive owned quite a few 67-72's and I have never paid more than $1000 for a decent running straight 67-72 in the state of washington. My last 69 C10 I paid $450 for and it had a damned near perfect interior and only surface rust. My current C20 I paid $500 for and the body was in excellent condition with only surface rust and it had a 396 in it when I got it . Ran great except for slight oil consumption and I sold the motor for twice what I paid for the truck. Restored trucks are going to cost you a lot everywhere but good bases for projects are everywhere you look. Sure you see some idiot asking $2000 or more for beat up non running stepsides but they are usually for sale FOREVER. To each his own but this is the land of supply and demand. I will have to say that if you are looking for longbed fleetside 3/4 tons that this is the place to be. I see more C20's and 3/4 ton GMC's here than anything by far. __________________ No truck :-(

10-30-2002, 04:33 AM	#10
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	I am green with envy, oh to be able to walk into a junkyard and see a Chevy (any Chevy), oh to not have to pay more for shipping a part than for the part! I guess it would be just as tough though to run a European classic in the US as running an American Classic here in the UK. I get angry when I see classics rusting away in gardens over here, but each to their own, I think it only becomes a real issue when something is very rare, like one of the half dozen or so lightweight racing E-Type Jags ever made that was found stored in a container in the US where it had been for about thirty years, fortunately now sympathetically restored. I understand the holding onto stuff because of grief thing though, my wife and I lost our first child last year during her birth and some of her stuff in the house we never wanted to look at again and gave away and some of it we will never throw out. Sheesh, getting kinda mushy here! The way I resign myself to those vehicles rusting in peace is that each one that goes to truck heaven makes your own slightly more sought after, slightly more unusual and slightly more valuable! __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

10-30-2002, 06:12 AM	#11
Pont I need another Barley Pop Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,629	Well said Lippy __________________ 67 Short Fleet 4x4 04 Honda CRF450R 89 Toyota 4-Runner 34 Ford 2 door sedan - Long term project ---------------------------------------------- There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

10-30-2002, 02:30 PM	#12
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Yes, there are a lot of old chevy's around here. In my neighborhood, there are two 2wd longbeds and in the surrounding neighborhoods, I know of 3 Blazers, 1 Jimmy, a short step, and a lwb. I see a sweet baby blue Blazer when I pass the park & ride every day and a guy at the upolstry shop next to my office has a 3/4 ton longbed 4x4 for sale (tempting). Where are the best junk yards in the area? stllookn- you said that the you go up to snohomish a lot? Have you been to PICKUPS NW by the airport? The owner is really nice and there are usually some nice trucks around there. There prices aren't too bad and if you aren't paying shipping, it makes them less than many of the other catalogs. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

10-30-2002, 02:45 PM	#13
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,768	Say bouncytruck, I was up in your neighborhood yesterday and didn't even realize it. I was just off of 220th buying a 72 Cheyenne 20 Super!! (Real Sweet Truck) I couldn't bring it home because I was by myself, so I have to return up there to get it... It would be cool to meet you, see your Blazer and maybe take a peak at your neighbors truck while I am up there.... You going to be arround this weak? WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

10-30-2002, 02:53 PM	#14
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I'd say the best junkyard for trucks and our trucks in particular is airport auto wrecking just outside bremerton on hwy 3 . Its in the back yard almost of bremerton speedway. Theyve got 20 + trucks of our vintage in pretty complete condition plus a lot of newer stuff up to the late 70's and early 80's __________________ No truck :-(

10-30-2002, 06:40 PM	#15
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	WES - I'm usually at work on weekdays. I should be home all day on Sunday though. When are you planning on heading up this way? __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L



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10-30-2002, 08:38 PM	#16
RainDog Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burien, WA, USA Posts: 391	There's a pretty good boneyard down by Auburn, I think it's called AAA Auto Wrecking, right on the river, 272nd exit from 167 South. Usually have at least 3 or 4 decent 67-72's. p.s. if anybody's ever in the Burien area, stop by Sal's Deli for lunch grin that's my dad's sandwich shop, been in business almost 34 years RainDog __________________ "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats."

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