Where/How did you find your Truck ?

[Tropical Snowstorm]

My first Green and White 72 Cheyenne I got in high school back in 99 when the newspaper was still the place to find vehicles. My dad and I went to look at it and came home with it that day. I wasn't sure if my dad was serious about helping me out with it or not so I pulled the trigger on the first truck we looked at. Ended up being a long but great project and cut my teeth in the automotive world until someone had to have it more than me... stolen in April of 2007 and never recovered.

My second 67-72 was a 71 SWB base model truck I found on a local forum and picked up only to sell it back to the guy I got it from. It has a 2002 chassis and running gear in it last I heard.

My current Wheatland/White 72 I found on eBay. It had been listed several times over and had no bites. I kept an eye on it and after the third re-listing I sent the owner an email and he accepted my offer. I drug it home in 2008 and have had it ever since.

[EdSevered]

I've told this story in another thread...so forgive me if you've already seen it. It's too darn cold to do anything but talk about my truck, or read about others.

We got our first C-10 early last month. It's a '71 Chevy Cheyenne LWB with an '87 350/350, 73K original miles. (pic below) My original intention was to use it as a fun daily driver to replace an '84 GMC Vandura conversion van, and quit putting so many miles on our '06 Honda Element.

Since we got it, I just been tinkering in the garage on the weekends to get to know the thing and bring my knowledge and skills back up to speed. So far, I've replaced the old leaky Q-jet with an Edelbrock 1406, put in a fuel regulator, new plugs and wires, oil change, etc.

I must give my wife props, she is an excellent money manager, far better than I am. And she's not a cheapskate. She has made some truly amazing things happen with our meager salaries and I have learned that if she says we can't afford it, we can't afford it.

Anyway, when I first found the '71 on c-list, I carefully broached the subject with my wife and laid out my case for going into the nest egg. You all probably know the drill, "easy to work on", "parts are everywhere and cheap", "better gas mileage than -insert other beater with a heater here-", "you keep telling me I need hobby", etc, etc. She begrudgingly accepts the idea and gives the non-committal, "you know we really can't afford this, but okay, we'll look at it, NO PROMISES, ". And I was sure that she meant the "no promises" part. So on the fine Saturday morning of October 5th, we and the dog pile dog into the Honda and take the 50 mile drive to check the thing out.

When we get there, it turns out I knew the guy selling it, you know, friend-of-a-friend. He and I spend about two hours bs'ing about people we both know, cars, trucks, politics, yadda-yadda, while I look it over we talk about the truck for maybe 15 minutes. My wife quietly spends time with the dog, they go for a walk, play in the yard. Finally, he and I get to brass tacks, we haggle on price a bit, we agree on a price, with the caveat that my wife is fine with it. I go over and talk with her, with a tone in her voice I can't read, she says "how much?", I tell her, she says "it's up to you". Oh boy, I don't know what to think. I give her another chance to kill the deal, "are you sure?", she nods. OK, I pull the trigger, the seller and I shake hands. He asks, "how much do you want to leave for a deposit?"

My wife walks up and pulls a wad of crisp Benjamins out of her purse, and hands them to me not saying a word. "What have I got myself into?", I wonder. After 12 years married, I've never seen her act like this. I count the wad, it is the exact amount he and I agreed upon.

(Now I am simply wasting too much time at work, with this...but I gotta finish)

We drive separate vehicles home and don't really discuss this event later in the day. Still bewildered, and starting to get really bugged, the next day I ask her about it. She says: "I knew we were going to buy it, the second you showed me the pictures online. I fell in love it as soon as I saw it. I hope you'll let me drive it sometimes." I was dumbstruck.

To finish up...At her request, the truck has gone from being an intended DD (drive it until the wheels fall off) to winter storage, only top-shelf parts, "you shouldn't put too many miles on it", "yeah, power windows and locks would be cool", "you should do the manifold, valve covers and radiator, before you finish with the carburetor, you're just going to have to take it apart again". How did I get so lucky?

Sorry this post is so long, but that's our story. So, here's OUR '71 Chevy Cheyenne:
Attached Images

[Already Gone]

I just want to thank everyone for positing and sharing their stories. No story is too long or too short, they are just great reading, so keep them coming!!!

[vectorit]

Every old truck and car I have "found" has always been just dumb luck.

The last one, which I shared here was a 1970 k10 was discovered during a business meeting. I was sitting in the office of my client talking business, when I noticed a picture of his family on his desk. In the background there was a 1970 K10... I asked about it, he told me all about it. At the end of the meeting, he said he was shopping for a new truck and could use extra down payment cash. The rest of the conversation I think everyone knows.

I didn't need the truck, but it was cool and I always wanted one like that. SO I bought it, had some fun with it. Sold it later, because it was not getting along with my Suburban sitting in the driveway

When one has an eye for these trucks, they just stick out in your everyday life. Like the one I found years ago as I was kicking back with friends at a back yard grilling get together, and I saw the roof of a 67 SWB in the neighbors yard. When I mentioned it, my buddy said... "Oh that POS? I wish my neighbor would find someone to buy it so I don't have to look at it anymore..." Yep, that's how I have found just about all of the cars and trucks I have acquired over the years.

[texjake]

I had seen this '68 truck on many trips out to the gun range sitting out at a farm house & just never really stop by to ask about it & figured it might be too expensive or that it wasn't for sale. But one day I finally had the time to stop & check out the truck. What sold me on the truck was when I raised the hood and notice that it had a big block & auto trans with AC, PS & PB & no rust. I contacted the seller and beat him up on the price until he came down from $4500 to $3000. I paid the man, grabbed the keys & title & drove it home, it was mine now! Yippee Ki Yay!

[67&72]

My first 67-72 was a solid dark green deluxe trim white top 70 long 1/2 2wd with 32K original miles. Late 2000, I was asked to come to an estate auction to look at it to give them a possible price range on it. It was stored in the shop and was a very original and complete truck but was running a bit rough from sitting. I told them it would need a little tune up and clean up to give a true value. They were not selling it in the auction. Coincidentally, I was looking to buy a house with some property and a shop and this place was perfect. I asked and they said it was going to be sold but not right away but they would rent it to me until they were ready to sell, I jumped on it. I moved in Feb. 01 and the truck and a clean 89 Caprice that did not sell at auction was still being stored. Of course, I now had a chance to check the truck out top to bottom, I definitely wanted it! It took several months but I finally made a package deal for the truck and the Caprice. Fixed up the Caprice and sold it. Used that money to buy gas tank(rust) and all other parts for fuel system and tune-up as well as rally wheels w/tires etc. Truck ran and drove like a new one. I decided to buy a new truck(my 02 GMC HD DMAX I still have w/44K) so I sold the 70 for down money and it went to Washington State in late 01.(that is another story)

My white(orig. orange) 67 SWB 230 6 cyl. 4 spd. 90K was next. Found it in local shopper called "GOOD NEWS". It was hidden in the back in the "too late to classify" section. Drove up with Dad and bought it and drove home with one stop for oil since it was coming out at the back of the motor pretty quickly driving at highway speeds. I got a 72 LB stripped roller given to me for the 5 lug discs, etc. Sold the package deal as a father/son project.

My 72 LB was a nice truck mostly original except for motor. It was the dark green white center and top 2 tone w/deluxe trim. I had put a V8 in an 88 S-10 blazer and was driving to work. A guy I knew had the 72 for sale but I had not asked price. He approached me to see if I would trade even his truck for my Blazer and of course, I did it, no brainer! I fixed it up a little and detailed it up and sold it to a guy in Pennsylvania several years ago and he still owns it and loves it!

Finally, this Saturday I contacted a guy with an ad on CL for a Muncie 4 speed w/bellhousing and shifter/linkage. I went to look at it and bought it and looked into his carport on the side of his shop and there it was, a 67 SWB w/factory V8 auto. He said he had sold it to a buddy but it was for sale. Contacted him and made a deal and bought it that same night. It is still 6 lug but came with a 71-72 complete 5 lug rear and most parts to change front to 5 lug. I have wanted another one for a while, but have not really been looking, and this one just fell into my lap! Made for a very good day, got a great deal on a Muncie and what I consider and even better deal on the truck since I would not have known about it if I had not found the Muncie!

[SeniorVerde]

I was having lunch with a pal I hadn’t seen in a while. We were catching up and talking about what we’d been up to. He asked me if I had found a home for the blower motor I had been putting together since high school (’97). I told him that I’m waiting for the right ’67 small window, manual, shortbed, with power brakes.
My buddy says, “wow.. it’s going to be a while, huh?”
“Been 12 years so far, but I’m not going to spend the money until I can start with exactly what I want this time.”
So, we leave the restaurant and are riding in his car to go visit another old pal who lived in the area.
Turning a corner, we see this with a for sale sign on it.


"You want me to stop?"

Sure enough, '67 shorty, small window, 3 speed (now a 5 speed) and power brakes already converted to disc!

[Codez67Chevy]

My uncle always had this old truck sitting out in a field. Once in a while he would drive it around. I never knew at the time what kind it was but I really liked it and wanted to drive it. One day I asked him if I could drive it? He said if you can get it to start just keep it in first gear and slowly let the clutch out. He sat next to me and I got it rolling. I initially was taught how to drive with my grandpa in his old CJ7 but I learned way more driving that old truck. When I hit 15 my uncle gave me that truck. Sure does have a lot of sentimental value to me. Love that old 67.

[SeniorVerde]

My '71 sat for at least 10 years, neglected in front of this house that was on the way to a friend's house.
I had stopped before to see if it was for sale. I knew it wasn't doing much in it's current location, so it might go for cheap, but you know how some people can be weirdly sentimental. So I would check up on it from time to time. Even took the long way home just to see if all was well whenever I was in the area, but there was never anyone home.
One day I happen to be cruising by in my '67 and the guy was finally out in his driveway, putting some hokey hand-painted for sale sign on a stake in one of the bed rail holes.
I locked up the brakes and backed up and pulled into his driveway. The owner was laughing and shaking his head, and new he had caught a fish with the first cast- as he put it.

He told me he was the original owner, and had used it for a work truck for many years and then something quit and he just parked it. He wanted to fix it up, but didn't know how. He said I can take it for $500 if I promised to bring it buy when I had it fixed up again. (showing up in my '67 probably helped the sale). I got it to run, but the brakes were gone. He even called up AAA, telling me he gets a free tow a year, so he'd just have it flat bed hauled to my place. What a guy! I heard he moved to Sun Valley Idaho, so when the big block is in it, it's road trip time!

[NobleSix]

bear with me.... my sister is what you would politely call a people person.

the 69 sat literally across the street from me for a few years, beginning in '03 when we moved in. i sat and dreamed and wondered, and thats about as far as it went for a while. in 07, my sister was dating a guy who had a buddy who was a buddy of another guy who owned it. long story short, and a few buddies later, she ends up married to one of the buddies of the guy who owned it. while sitting in the garage and b.s.ing over a few beers, we struck up a deal: $100 whenever i could get it to him and hed sign over the bill of sale he had. later that day we pushed it into my yard. a few days later i went to the dol to ask what my next step was, and they ran the registration etc. turns out, he had no legal claim to the truck, and i was happy i didnt actually pay the guy the money. so i followed the directions given to me by the dol, and tried to contact the last titled owners to no avail. so legally i can register it in my name for a few years then apply for a title. a few years and a few policy changes later, the title arrived in the mail december of 2013. shes mine, all mine for the low cost of tabs and a registered letter.

i also replaced the battery+cables, alternator, waterpump, and discovered that the head gasket was blown and it took the block and head out right betwen cyl 2 and 3. $250 on craigslist for another 292, a new set of gaskets, and she was back on the road!

[NobleSix]

my 67 is kind of a neat story. when i had the 69 road worthy, i would just drive it around the neighborhood, wandering aimlessly for hours on end. during my meandering i saw a very neat looking 67 that was a little lower with tinted windows and aluminium wheels. the thing that caught my eye the most was the sticker that said " fook your riceburner " it made me chuckle. so i forget exactly what year it was, but i was working with this kid for a while, then i sought employment elsewhere. that kid i worked with, also worked with a good friend of mine and was wondering if anyone he knew wanted to buy an old 60's chevy truck. a few txt messages later, and a starting price of $300, i went to go take a look. lo, and behold! she had somehow migrated clear across town. he said she wouldnt hold a charge and wouldnt run despite all he had done to it. one look under the hood told me everything i needed to know. this kid had no clue what he was doing. talked him down to $100 and 2 packs of marb 100's and shes been sitting in my garage, graciously donating organs to the 69, awaiting her turn in the sun. shes a real looker for an ol gal, but her body desperately needs some tlc. i only hope i look and function as good as she does when im her age.

[c20pickup]

my mom found mine. along side the road in town

[Already Gone]

Are we done, there has to be more stories.

[Matt Cramer]

Had a big block '90 Suburban that was used to haul stuff, but my wife had a lot of landscaping and gardening projects that would do better with open air hauling. One day she spotted a '72 Chevy truck parked outside a mobile home just outside of Porterdale, Georgia with a For Sale sign in the window. I came by to look at it and the owner said he was selling it because he wanted something bigger. "Like a big block Suburban?" I asked. We ended up working out a trade deal.

[Already Gone]

Thanks for the stories everyone.

[1969_CM2590D]

I sold my Smart convertible exactly a week before Christmas last year. For many years I knew what sort of truck I'd want and had a sort of hierarchy in my head while I looked. I drive my company car about 90% of the time (free gas, service, insurance, etc), and was thinking of a backup vehicle to replace the Smart. A truck was the way to go, and I knew what the prefect and "near perfect" truck would be.

With the Smart sold on Wednesday, I looked Thursday locally in KY on CL and found nothing. I then thought I'd check out the Athens, GA CL as my sister lives about twenty miles from there.

I found my perfect truck- the pinnacle of desire for me- 67-72 base model GMC V6 3/4 ton, granny 4 speed and stripped (no radio or lighter!)with only functional HD options. This one was a 1969, the last year for the V6 in a pickup from the factory.

I couldn't have done better if I'd got caught in a time warp and ordered at the dealer (OK, I would have went for power brakes and a gauge package...).

I called about it that night, got intrigued enough to drive down that weekend for a look.The truck was as stated- surface rust only and low miles (40,900),with excellent original vinyl seat and dashpad. We dickered for about 30 seconds and settled on the price. Gave up the cash two weeks later.

The thing i'm most amazed by was findibg this truck on the first search. I figured I'd spend several months or even more than a year- even then it might only be near perfect, I'd have to settle.

As found...

[supercheyenne]

Twas Friday Sept. 6, 2013 at approximately 2pm. I checked Nextech (Classifieds website) and the ad said "1967 narrow bed pickup - $2000" with a phone number. The ad had been up for 18 minutes and I had visitors who had just pulled into the driveway when I told my wife I had to call!

The guy on the other end of the phone knew about cars but he wasn't really an expert on old chevy trucks. He description over the phone left alot to be desired but in hindsight I think we was just trying to be honest and describe all of the trucks faults. Talking to him I figured out this was a short bed truck and it was located 200 miles away. I work 2nd shift (remember it's Friday afternoon) so I asked the guy if I could come see it on Saturday. He agreed to a mid day meeting. I told the wife "I think this is a wild goose chase but lets just go for a Saturday drive".

Now I get off at midnight and I have to get some sleep. go rent a trailer, and then drive 200 miles within the next 12 hours. I forgot to go to the bank so I had to scratch as much money together as I could so I had $1400 cash. Sometimes my enthusiasm leads me to make poor decisions. But I make it on time. I call the guy when I'm within 30 miles of the truck and he informs me he will be a no-show due to a family emergency. But the truck is out in the open and I'm free to inspect it. When I pull up visually I tell my wife "If the frame is rust free and straight, this is the truck!". Upon closer inspection it basically has rust issues on every panel but it's a 20 footer.

After a thorough inspection I call the guy and say "I see a $1000 truck"... He says no BS I'll take $1300 cash. Keep in mind I mistakenly only brought $1400. It was meant to be! I said I'll drive 30 miles to his location and hand him the money. I get to his house and he informs me he's a car dealer and he has to charge me 7% tax (he's actually a Harley dealer but the law still applies)... The total? $1399.45 (I'm not making it up) I let him keep the extra 55 cents.



BTW, it was 100+ degrees and I had to winch the truck onto the trailer with a come along.

Side story. I almost ruined the deal with my big mouth and creative thinking! When he told me he had to charge me tax I suggested renegotiating the deal where I paid $100 for the truck and $1200 for the radio. This was an attempt to avoid taxes on my part. Well the guy got offended and basically told me to get lost and that he had a sight unseen offer of $1400 while I was driving to his house! I had to calm him down a bit and admit my foolishness so we could move forward on the deal.

Lessons learned. Once a deal is a deal, just shut up and pay the guy. Also never get too greedy, it might bite you in the butt.

[fleetside71]

Bought from my bosses brother at are sister company. .saw it sitting in yard til 1 day I noticed the hood open and noticed it had a straight six. .we talked and agreed on $650 and I towed it home. .following weekend the project started. .
The day I towed to how it sits 2day. .

[JCD]

I was 7 years old in 1969.. was given a huge set of Hot Wheels in that 'Mag Wheel' case from my favorite uncle. My dad brought home all these Hot Rod pictorial magazines of the day, and the 24 year old brother of my sitter had a dark Aqua 1967 Barracuda that he'd trailer to the strip behind a 1969 El Camino.. apparently it wasn't strong enough, or maybe it wasn't big enough.. but he quickly got himself a brand new 1970 C20.. He took me for a ride in that Barracuda, and it all came together for me at the same time.

Been hooked ever since.

Today I have a 67 Formula S Barracuda..
An El Camino.. and the truck..
I started looking for a 1970.. but this '72 presented itself to me..
Rust free, rebuilt motor and trans.
Something I could drive and beat on, and not have to wipe with a diaper.

J.

[Mike_The_Grad]

Got my '72 c/10 long bed from my then girlfriends father. Was the first vehicle I owned, and was 17 at the time. Got it for $1000. My dad gave me $500 as a down payment/graduation present. Working part time and going to community college, was hard on the wallet. I had saved the last $200, and was gonna give it to her dad on his birthday,just a coincidence, pulled out the wad of cash right there at the dinner table. He gave me this look of pride which I will never forget because it made me proud also. He gave it back and said, "buy something nice for the truck." I still own it and am in process of restoring it.

[Lemield]

I was browsing auto trader online when I saw my 1970 C20 Custom camper with a Mitchell Safari camper on the back. I went and looked at it and bought it from the 2nd owner. It's been a good old truck.

I had been looking for a 4x4 for a couple of years and had looked at a lot of bummers. I then saw my 1971 K20 on Craigslist at John Elway Chevrolet. I called to inquire about the truck and was told it was a diesel conversion and that it was really nice. Sure, I thought. Nice is a relative term. But I went down to look at it anyway. As soon as I crawled under the truck and saw that it has zero rust, I knew I was going to buy it. The test drive was just a formality. The original owner (in his 90's) had traded the truck in so he could get a new Duramax. The K20 has original paint, zero rust and an SM465 4spd, Ranger overdrive and a 6.2 turbo diesel. I just love it. Sometimes you find exactly what you are looking for.

[slow-1]

This is a good reading thread, thanks everyone for sharing.

My Grandfather bought "Ole Green" in the early 70's, no one in the family can remember if he bought it new or used, and I never thought to ask him...guess it doesn't really matter.

I used to spend several weeks with my grandparents every summer and can remember riding all over Rowan County (NC) with my Grandfather at the wheel. I remember the way the clutch pedal creaked as he gently worked the 3 on the tree shifter. I remember sitting next to him, being his "intermittent" wiper operator when it was drizzling.

When it came time to head to the beach for the family vacation, I always rode in the back with my younger brother...I'm sure it was miserable hot inside the camper shell, but all I remember is the sound of glass packs rumbling as we traveled. If it got to be noon while we were on the road, it was Beanie Weenies and saltine crackers on the tailgate sitting beside the highway (all 2 lane then).

When I turned 16, my Grandfather sold the truck to my Dad for $1k and when I got out on my own, my Dad signed it over to me.

When I run into folks I know, they ask how my wife and 3 kids are, and they ask me how Ole Green is doing.

[seankanzig]

I found my first a 69 c20 (sitting on a swb frame with a step side bed on it), about sixteen years ago when I was fourteen. My neighbor's soon parked it in his back yard. Of course I didn't purchase it until this year. This truck is actually the reason that I fell in love with this vintage trucks.

[colgad]

I answered an ad in Craigslist for some tailgate chrome. When i got to his house I found out he was moving to Key West and selling everything. There sat a 72 swb 4x4 in the garage with a perfect cab but all apart, it had been there for 16 years. We worked out a price of 2500 and that included a 350 that he had just had a speed shop rebuild. I said Ill be right back with a trailer and a friend.

[Already Gone]

I'm really glad to see this thread back up because I love the stories.