Regional differences

[Bob Moore]

After looking at Col. Mustard by Dion I got to thinking. Here in the NW it is very rare to find 6 cylinder trucks. Almost exclusively small blocks. I think I have found more BB trucks in the junkyards than 6's. Not that there are many BB here, just very few 6's.

Also notice a lot of the 6's in farm country - Midwest.

Have you guys found other regional differences?

Just curious - Bob

[PanelDeland]

I know most of the farm trucks I've seen are 4 speed trucks.Also it seems most of the fleet trucks (company,utility,and civil service) seem to be 3 on the tree.Also I don't remember ever seeing a 3/4 with a 3 on the tree,and only a few auto's.All of the 6 cyl trucks I've seen were standard shift.All of the c-30's were standard shift 4 speed.
Some of this may be due to the fact that the standard can be more easily serviced by the average farm mechanic of the era.

[pebbleboy]

Originally Posted by Bob Moore

Have you guys found other regional differences?

Just curious - Bob

RUST

[chevybill]

I think most regional differences of the trucks could be traced to regional differences in income of the truck buyers. Here in north MS, almost all you find are stripped down models with a 6 cylinder. There used to be a couple of original CST trucks here locally and I have not seen either one in almost 10 years.

[woodridge]

I've seen one 69 longhorn that was three on the tree and three c-30's that were auto's,one was a 292.

[HeavyD]

Tons of 6 cyl up in my area.

[mblackburnjr]

It seems like you are more likely to find a 67/68 with a 6cyl 3 spd combo around here. Maybe everyone is just pirating the older sb stuff!

[Bob Moore]

That's something I forgot. Trannys. Almost ALL autos in the NW. very few sticks. I like the comment about farmers(mechanics) being able to fis the standard transmission.

Anybody else?

[Fred T]

Around here most who bought a pickup couldn't justify the added expense of the larger motor/tranny. A lot of sixes with 3 speeds were stocked by the dealers. Purchases were made by farmers and guys working at the aircraft factories, who drove them to work and used them to haul stuff on the weekend. Most of these guys had a family car, which was the vehicle with all the comforts, and was usually the wife's vehicle.

When I bought my 74 new, all the dealer had on the lot were 1/2 tons with sixes and 3 speeds. I bought one of the two that had radios. Anything above that was a special order truck, which took 1 to 4 months to get from the factory.

[TP from Cntl PA]

Here it seem most of the trucks were 250/3spds. Every 1/2 ton we bought had them in, and they were ALL plain jane pickups.............Used on the farm, and heck we bought them and they were STILL used on the farm.

I did buy a C-20 locally with a 350, even though it was a Cheyenne, it was still a plain jane truck IMO. They didn't even opt for the 4spd even though it was a contractors truck, 3 on the tree.

Had to go to Utah to get a K-20 with a big block................

The strange part is every truck I bought with something other than an Inliner under the hood I tore the engine out to put an inline back in it because I really like them. The K-20 is getting retro-fitted at the moment. C-20 got the Cummins.

I wish the V-6's around here would be easier to find in pickups, but GMC's weren't a big seller here. I really like them as well.

One thing I do like, finding an auto equiped truck from the factory is nearly impossible.................Which is ok with me, rather shift my own gears.

[mbgmike]

You have to remember that auto trans had not been around that long in the 60's. Remember the dodge trans in the 50's? I think it was called a dynaflow. It was a mix of automatic and three speed. Many people just did not want one regardless of income level. Why would a farmer want an automatic? Most farmers I knew had gobs of money but they really weren't into fixing stuff unless it really needed to be done. Most of the Grain hauling trucks were 6cyl w/manual trans that way you could stop the damn thing easier by leaving it in gear and shutting the engine off. They did not seem to want to fix brakes. Anyone remember that Cadillac offered a 3 spd trans in a coupe deville up until something like 72. That was for the farmers. also the amish farmers would buy a black one with no options

[Daubs]

My first truck was a 71 Chevy C-20 with 250 6cyl and three-on-the-tree.