1972? The Last Year Of??

[Luis_gz06]

This topic might've been mentioned here before, but why I see many vendor catalogs stating that 72 Chevy was the last year of one of the most popular body trucks in AMERICAN HISTORY? Or some people say that it was the last of the ALL STEEL TRUCKS??

[lpaine]

Well, it was the last year of great style for American trucks imho.

[70cst]

Here is some interesting reading ...


http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticl...cks/index.html

[Boog]

Last year of a great body style. I know some guys like the 73 up squarebodies so I don't mean to step on any toes. Hell, I had a 78 stepper myself. But with a winning style like the 67-72 why would GM change? It was a successfull run.

[70cst]

I think each body run had its merits. Some more than others

[chewychevy67]

again not bashing squares but why 6 years of 67-72's body style then 15 (19 if you count the burbs) years of squares. that has always baffled me why the square styling lasted so long.

[1972RedNeck]

The newer ones had plastic dashes.

[Cash3481]

Early trucks changed every couple of years like the 48-52s, then 55-59s. Then manufacturers started crossing parts like the stepper beds to save money and extend their payback on r&d and longevity in a Market they already proved their worth to.

Oil prices cost car manufactures in many ways. On was cutting back on r&d for new styles, plus these trucks were selling during that time. Remember how the horsepower went south and emissions went up. They shifted their focus to to stay compliant. That's my .02 cents. My dad worked 32 years for GM so If it's GM I love em all.
Posted via Mobile Device

[67c10rustbuket]

Last year of rear trailing arm/coil spring suspension. And the best looking trucks ever

[69 gmc]

Originally Posted by 70cst

Here is some interesting reading ...


http://www.sporttruck.com/techarticl...cks/index.html

I don't agree with what they have to say about long steppers winning an ugliest truck competition, I have seen some great looking longbed stepsides.

[406 Q-ship]

May be the squares went so long because it is a cool truck too. I like all the C10 from 1960 to 1980. That is why I have a 1967 and a 1974. Whomever calls the truck after 1972 the plastic trucks has NEVER worked on a 1973 through 1987, they are just as steel as the 1960 to 1972.

[50bomb]

I like 60-72 chevy/gmc the best. Nothing older nothing newer.

[Kel's 72 GMC]

the 67-72 chevy/gmc body style is the best looking trucks GM has ever made followed very closely by the late 55-59 chevy trucks in my opinion. But i also think our trucks are popular is because 67-71 was the muscle car era and our trucks have similar drive trans and styling to what those chevelles, camaros, impalas, had back in the day which makes our trucks a great alternative for having a high price #'s matching muscle car.

[longhorn70gmc]

This is a cool thread, glad you started it!
1988 to me seems the year that the GM trucks really changed all way around. The trucks had alot of plastic in them and the body sheet metal was thin and different. I understand the why, but IMO the older trucks had allot more heavy duty steel bodies. My favorite truck years are the 67-72, but I also like the 73-87 trucks. Smogging is a big turn off for me; I stick to owning 1975 or older, so I don't have to worry about that. Having a BA in business and project management I thought about what I would do to bail my company (GM) out a couple years back and I strongly believe If GM recreated famous past body styles in limited numbers and offered them up to the public throughout the year they could test the market and find out which ones will do well. I would say the 1968 SWB C/10 would be a great start and I strongly believed it would help bring GM more customers and help save their company at the time. We all know the bailout helped them, but wouldn't it be cool to see your favorite truck return and have the opportunity to purchase it brand new; I would love it. I really think this would go well for GM just by doing it. Please keep this thread going, I know there are more great ideals or discussions about this out there.
R/
Billy

[ole dollor]

i like all of them, got to drive around Odessa Texas back in the 60's in a old 1936 chevy pickup. i loved that truck and would love to have one today. it was a short stepper and black with a red stripe around the cab. 6 cyl 3 on the floor, thats what i learned to drive....in the ally's i was maybe 13 or 14 years old...and please don't tell my mom....put a lot of miles in the back alley's of Odessa...

[FLDBRED]

We love the "looks" of our trucks, but the general public started to demand more car like features. The interiors of the next generation trucks easily showed that. My brother bought a new Cheyenne Super K10 in 1974, we were mad that they changed the looks, but the interior was awesome! I can remember closing the door on that truck and thinking nothing could e built better!

[Dieselwrencher]

I think they all suck. Go buy a dodge! They were the same for what, like 20 years?





















(This is just a joke, chill out.)

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

I think they all suck. Go buy a dodge! They were the same for what, like 20 years?

(This is just a joke, chill out.)

Wrong forum

[Luis_gz06]

Are 73-87 trucks sheetmetal thinner than 67-72?

[67chevy1series]

IMO, after 73 chevy ford and dodge werent allowed to design there own cars or trucks, the government desined the car and had the 3 detroit boys make them and but there logo on it. they werent allowed to make the engines perform like they use to and wernt allowed to make there own structure desgins or interior desgins becuase it was to unsafe or whatever the government tryed to say. last time anybody was able to make a car or truck for the public and put there own thought and inginuity and build a car that would help the public was 72. now cars are made to break and be thrown away after 100k and the governmetn is who we have to thank for ruining our cars and trying to ruin our hobby.



just realized i sounded like some kinda "anarchist" lol didnt mean to

[lap15]

Originally Posted by Luis_gz06

Are 73-87 trucks sheetmetal thinner than 67-72?

Yes, I think it is!
Just opening and closing the door on a 67-72 you can feel it's much heavier than a 73-87. I love both styles because those are the years I grew up riding in (yes- without seat belts, airbags, ABS, computers, and all of the other things we need to feel safe with now-how did we ever survive?).
1973 was when the federal government finally got it's hands around the car companies throats and started to meddle in the designs...and look at where we are today!

[1972RedNeck]

They must have really got a hold of dodge.

[suspect]

this thread should've been a poll.

[Hubscrub]

i like them all until the mean eyes 04?, the square bodies are right up there with these trucks imo. I want a square to drive daily, thinking of building one i drive a 97 regular cab currently great truck too.