A real Unicorn, Finally 71' Cheyenne Super SWB BB

[leddzepp]

There were no 72 half ton big block trucks assembled at the Fremont plant from what I have read.
Posted via Mobile Device

[special-K]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Wonder what it would look like with "full wheel" hubcaps and whitewalls?
Hmmm.

I think it would look awesome. It would sure look more original.

Originally Posted by C/10 King

Bring me the head of the person, who said "I never had a Cheyenne BB SWB"

That's not the real deal. BBC '71s didn't have the interior mirror on the hump and the seat covers were embossed walrus hide. I guess there's a slim chance someone sat in the driver seat and wore it out and someone bumped their head on the mirror.

I agree with the things Circus Wagon Jim pointed out. Yes,it's hard to varify this truck w/o a SPID,but why such a flood of doubt? When you need a radiator you need one now if that's what you drive. Trucks could use freshening up by the '80s and back then there was virtually no reproduction.I don't believe you could buy a new Harrison radiator from GM even then. I know I was having mine re-cored if the tanks were good. Seat covers came out at the tail end of the '80s. Before than I'd have mine roll 'n' pleated. No attempt to look original. Just a necessary repair doing what I liked best to go with the hopped up look.Although many of us cherished these trucks as aging gems back then,the attention to keeping 100pt original wasn't prevalent. I always called them hybrids because nothing is taken from the all GM vibe...just a few moderate upgrades. I didn't really see any clones being built. If this truck isn't an authentic big block then it will have a small hump floor. If it's not authentic it won't have the dual exhaust hanger unless it was added. I removed glovebox doors to have them chromed. I saw a lot of rare trucks and never took pictures for proof. I asked a guy back in 1990 who was selling chromed doors w/woodgrain what guys do about the SPID on a rarer truck. He (Gary Terry) showed me a blank SPID and said you just use an IBM type style and make a new one. I realized then that any truck I saw in the future could be a clone. So,no SPID or 20+ year old reprint...I'm sure there are ways to make one yellowed and aged.

Look! This is the third page I've had to ask this on..."IS SHE SINGLE???"

[DANTIP]

My doubt is rooted in the missing SPID from a painted (original-looking) glove box door. It is difficult to imagine that someone took the time to remove and discard an original SPID (especially a very well equipped truck). People that make significant changes to trucks often remove the SPID (that is simply my experience).

Another point, MANY people are making "Tribute" SWB BB trucks, in fact I believe over 95% of the trucks I have seen advertised as SWB BB trucks are former small-block or former LWB BB trucks. There are Real-Deal trucks out there (I know of probably 8-10 of them) but they are EXTREMELY unusual.

I count myself in the dozen or so people on the board that could positively ID a real-deal SWB BB truck (especially a '72). The earlier years are a not as easy to confirm.

Last point, a VERY well done "Tribute" SWB BB truck does bring very good money (even in this economy). There have been 2 very nice absolutely non-original SWB BB trucks on Ebay within the past week that have bid in excess of $28k (one went to $33k and did not hit the reserve).

[special-K]

Well,I'm one of those dozen and neither of us have seen the truck. One thing I still don't see being taken into account is the fact this truck has been in this form for at least 20 years. You've bee around,so put yourself back then and go by what you saw then. For me that adds a slant that I wouldn't give a truck built in the more recent past.. I have not only seen and done chroming on glovebox doors from well optioned trucks. I have also done and seen done paint when the SPID was removed. We hear of body shops losing them on member's trucks right here. Another point is if this person wanted this truck to be a convincing clone they could just as easily do a counterfeit SPID. The knowledge has been out there over 20 years. The fact that this truck is used as a driver by an 80ish year old woman plays into even more slant towards this truck being real. The clones (I don't use newfangled BJ terminology) that are being referred to seem to be ones done to sell.
I have a fairly rare '71 Fleetside K/10 SWB with original paint in the interior that I bought in '06 stashed. When I opened the glovebox door a month or so ago the SPID fell off. I guess I can artfully glue it back up. But,maybe if I restore it I'll just get a fresh one made or just leave it without one. I'll still have it to hand a buyer as proof. Maybe this person has the one that came off of this truck. We just don't know so many things. So,I won't argue yay or nay over what I think from seeing a few pictures. I am just wondering how some here can be so convinced with as little to go on as I do. I think it's "possible" this is an true BBC Cheyenne Super SWB and tend to believe it is likely. I also realize I could be wrong. I just don't have enough to go on to say for sure. It's definitely not 100% original.

[DANTIP]

I'm going out on a limb and GUESSING the cab, engine, and transmission are from a 3/4 ton. I am also guessing that the VIN plate does not have original rivets through it or the VIN shows it's a 3/4 ton. I further guess that the dual exhaust brackets are not on the frame. Before someone else noticed the 3/4 ton brake booster and associated braces, I thought the SPID could have delaminated and became lost. Certainly, someone could have replaced the 1/2 ton booster and braces with 3/4 ton parts, but not likely. I suspect we are looking at a combination of trucks. I don't want to come across as too skeptical, but I have seen too many fakes and I would bet this is not authentic.

[DANTIP]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

Bring me the head of the person, who said "I never had a Cheyenne BB SWB"

I think I know that truck (see post #91)!! Did it come out of Canada? I know that one is the REAL-DEAL!! I'll bet your VIN ends in 418.

[1956cameo]

Sorry C-10 King! Even in black!

[abebummy26]

That truck is most definitely drool worthy. One of my favorite colors in these trucks.

[DANTIP]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

There were no 72 half ton big block trucks assembled at the Fremont plant from what I have read.
Posted via Mobile Device

Leddzepp, I had never heard that no '72 1/2 ton big block trucks were assembled at the Fremont plant but it makes a lot of sense. Did you know that '72 1/2 ton big block trucks were not able to be sold new in California? They did not meet California emission standards even with a smog pump. Stands to reason that they wouldn't produce them in Fremont.

[Grande Rojo]

I'm new to the 67-72 trucks and dont know if this has been noticed but the third picture fender emblem shows its a 8-400 as in 400SBC but it obiously has a big block in the pictures. A nice truck no doubt' either way.

[sameyrasmea72]

Originally Posted by Grande Rojo

I'm new to the 67-72 trucks and dont know if this has been noticed but the third picture fender emblem shows its a 8-400 as in 400SBC but it obiously has a big block in the pictures. A nice truck no doubt' either way.

That is correct. Even though they were really 402s, the emblems read 8-400.

[Grande Rojo]

Originally Posted by sameyrasmea72

That is correct. Even though they were really 402s, the emblems read 8-400.

This site is so educational.
Thanks

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by special-K

Like I said,"Is she single????"

Tim, I don't even know her name.

Originally Posted by DANTIP

I think I know that truck (see post #91)!! Did it come out of Canada? I know that one is the REAL-DEAL!! I'll bet your VIN ends in 418.

Maybe you do know it, I sold it to a guy in Canada after my "Classic truck" photo shoot, It was on the cover of Classic Trucks Feb 97, along with my two supers and CST, Boy! I"m getting old.

Originally Posted by abebummy26

That truck is most definitely drool worthy. One of my favorite colors in these trucks.

Do you mean the black one? Stupid me! I should have kept it.

[abebummy26]

I meant the copper actually but the black truck is awesome too.

[BadaSs_Cal]

I saw a little old lady at Oreillys a few months ago with a very similar truck. I saw her drive off with it and thought that was the coolest little old lady ever.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by sameyrasmea72

That is correct. Even though they were really 402s, the emblems read 8-400.

Yes, mine too. It is a 70 model CST that came with a 396 but came with 400 badges.

[sameyrasmea72]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Yes, mine too. It is a 70 model CST that came with a 396 but came with 400 badges.

I am not positive, but somebody on here will know, but I think 68's and 69's were true 396's. In 1970 I think they went to a 402. I know the SPID still list it as a 396 maybe into 1971 but they are actually a 402.

I know (or am pretty positive) if you had a 70 Chevell it is actually a 402. They still called it a 369 for mostalgic reasons.

[DANTIP]

Jason,

You are right. The 396 was 1969 and earlier and the 402 was 1970 and later. I at one time heard this was done because engines below 400 cubic inches were going to be held to a more strict emission standard. Google and I can't find this to be fact. Here is an explanation of the 396 and 400 label I did find.

Introduced in 1970, the 402-cubic-inch (6.6 L) was a 396-cubic-inch bored out by 0.030 in (0.76 mm). Despite the fact that it was 6 cubic inches (98 cc) larger, Chevy continued marketing it under the popular "396" label in the smaller cars while at the same time labeling it "Turbo-Jet 400" in the full-size cars

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by DANTIP

Jason,

You are right. The 396 was 1969 and earlier and the 402 was 1970 and later. I at one time heard this was done because engines below 400 cubic inches were going to be held to a more strict emission standard. Google and I can't find this to be fact. Here is an explanation of the 396 and 400 label I did find.

Introduced in 1970, the 402-cubic-inch (6.6 L) was a 396-cubic-inch bored out by 0.030 in (0.76 mm). Despite the fact that it was 6 cubic inches (98 cc) larger, Chevy continued marketing it under the popular "396" label in the smaller cars while at the same time labeling it "Turbo-Jet 400" in the full-size cars

I heard this for years but it was hard for me to believe because my spid actually has 396 c.u.


I replaced my CST emblem to 396, just thought they were cooler. If I ever restore it I will probably leave them too.

[RenoKeene]

I heard this story from a retired GM line mechanic. There was a memo released that called for the 396's to be punched .30 over for the first run of 1970 blocks for the El Camino. Somehow this memo made it to the truck line and by the time the mistake was discovered it was too late. That is why no 8-402 badges were cast and there is no mention of a 402 on any truck SPID. The 8-400 badges were for the small block 400. Even the factory decal on the driver's side valve cover said 400 (I have only seen one of these). I have no idea if this is true or not but always found it strange that there is no 402 badges or SPIDs.
Anybody else heard this? I do know the mechanic is for real.
Reno

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

I heard this story from a retired GM line mechanic. There was a memo released that called for the 396's to be punched .30 over for the first run of 1970 blocks for the El Camino. Somehow this memo made it to the truck line and by the time the mistake was discovered it was too late. That is why no 8-402 badges were cast and there is no mention of a 402 on any truck SPID. The 8-400 badges were for the small block 400. Even the factory decal on the driver's side valve cover said 400 (I have only seen one of these). I have no idea if this is true or not but always found it strange that there is no 402 badges or SPIDs.
Anybody else heard this? I do know the mechanic is for real.
Reno

There was a whole thread devoted to this debate recently...

The most plausible explanation I have heard was that when the 400 small block came out in 70, GM did not want a Big Block (396) with less cubic inches, so they were punched over to make them a 402.

[Dieselwrencher]

The story I heard was that when GM casted the 396 blocks, the casting was bad and there were pin holes in the cylinder wall areas and they had to bore the cylinders .030 over to clean them up and not ruin their pile of blocks. Supposedly they had 10,000's of blocks they melted down and were tired of the wasted material, time, and money lost. If I remember correctly GM had to change their engine program due to emissions in 69 for 70 up, and the block casting was changed from the 66-69 blocks at this time.

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

Very nice looking truck!!!!

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

And just because it doesn't have an SPID dosen't mean it's not the real deal! I've got two 67's that look like there has never even been an SPID stuck on them, original paint and no old adhesive anywhere to be seen.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

The story I heard was that when GM casted the 396 blocks, the casting was bad and there were pin holes in the cylinder wall areas and they had to bore the cylinders .030 over to clean them up and not ruin their pile of blocks. Supposedly they had 10,000's of blocks they melted down and were tired of the wasted material, time, and money lost. If I remember correctly GM had to change their engine program due to emissions in 69 for 70 up, and the block casting was changed from the 66-69 blocks at this time.

I heard this explanation also...we may never know