GMC Golden West Special 68 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68 50th · 03-21-2005, 04:45 PM

Got some pictures and specifications on a 1968 GMC Golden West Special truck. Maybe nothing special at all with this but I never heard of the Golden West before so I thought I would share this with you. The pictures and specs are from Motor Trend Magazine September 1968 doing a desert test on some vehicles.
Unfortunately the pictures are not so good.

1968 GMC Golden West Special $2,447 (base) $4,161 (as tested)

396 cu.in. V8; automatic transmission; air conditioning; power brakes; power steering; Golden West Package; limited slip differential; tinted glass; tachometer; radio; heavy duty suspension.

Engine displacement: 396

Bore & Stroke: 4.094 x 3.76

Hp @ rpm: 325 @ 4,800

Torque: Lbs.-Ft. @ rpm: 410 @ 3,200

Compression Ratio: 10.25:1

Steering Wheel Turns - Lock-to-Lock: 4

Turning Diameter - Curb-to-Curb: 43.8 ft

Brake Type: Power Drums

Tire and Wheel Sizes: 9.50 x 16.5

Rear Axle Ratio: 4.10:1

Wheelbase - Ins.: 127

Height - Ins.: 74.5

Width - Ins.: 77.8

Length - Ins.: 200.5

Road Clearence - Ins.: 11.6

Weight - Lbs.: 4,035

Bed Dimensions - Width: 65.0 in.

Bed Dimensions - Length: 98.0 in.

Fuel Capacity: 22 gal.

Milage: 8-10.2 mpg

68 50th · 03-21-2005, 04:50 PM

Another pic.

68 50th · 03-21-2005, 04:51 PM

Picture 3

68 50th · 03-21-2005, 04:52 PM

Picture 4

68 50th · 03-21-2005, 04:53 PM

Picture 5

69 Short Fleet · 03-21-2005, 05:18 PM

This is an interesting post, notice the "air intake vents" on the hood. Wonder if this is GMC's 50th.

toms68cst · 03-21-2005, 05:57 PM

I wonder if its some kind of special regional dealer package thing. Interesing!

Hook'em · 03-21-2005, 06:24 PM

The hood vents were the first thing I noticed. Thanks for posting the pics.

Bob Moore · 03-21-2005, 06:36 PM

I noticed the small area embossed around GMC on the tailgate. I did not know about this until 2 weeks ago. Thanks to Rod.

Great photos and interesting data.

Thanks for finding and posting this article - Bob

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 03-21-2005, 06:52 PM

I always get a kick outta lookng at old ad's about our trucks and some of the options that could have been..

**Palf70Step** · 03-21-2005, 07:00 PM

Never heard of it, but that is cool. Wouldn't be a 50th, since GMC and Chevy did not originate on the same year. But maybe a model to compete with Chevy 50th models. What ever type it was, it is a nice setup.

**Canadian694x4** · 03-21-2005, 07:09 PM

Very Cool Pics and Info! Thansk For Sharing That!

**special-K** · 03-27-2005, 11:14 AM

Hodaka 100s,GMC,and the Golden West!

**tnblazerk5** · 03-27-2005, 12:00 PM

i like the hood vents on there and i have never heard of one of them either ? can anybody find better pics of those hood vent things ?

stllookn · 03-27-2005, 12:08 PM

Hodaka!!!!!! Now there is a flashback! Campaigned a Hodaka 100 flat tracker when I was in high school...LOL!

lngbed71 · 03-27-2005, 01:13 PM

Cool nostalga, I really like old school stuff. It looks like the truck is really twisted in pic 5. Do they have that much flex??

03-21-2005, 04:45 PM	#1
68 50th Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 833	GMC Golden West Special 68 Got some pictures and specifications on a 1968 GMC Golden West Special truck. Maybe nothing special at all with this but I never heard of the Golden West before so I thought I would share this with you. The pictures and specs are from Motor Trend Magazine September 1968 doing a desert test on some vehicles. Unfortunately the pictures are not so good. 1968 GMC Golden West Special $2,447 (base) $4,161 (as tested) 396 cu.in. V8; automatic transmission; air conditioning; power brakes; power steering; Golden West Package; limited slip differential; tinted glass; tachometer; radio; heavy duty suspension. Engine displacement: 396 Bore & Stroke: 4.094 x 3.76 Hp @ rpm: 325 @ 4,800 Torque: Lbs.-Ft. @ rpm: 410 @ 3,200 Compression Ratio: 10.25:1 Steering Wheel Turns - Lock-to-Lock: 4 Turning Diameter - Curb-to-Curb: 43.8 ft Brake Type: Power Drums Tire and Wheel Sizes: 9.50 x 16.5 Rear Axle Ratio: 4.10:1 Wheelbase - Ins.: 127 Height - Ins.: 74.5 Width - Ins.: 77.8 Length - Ins.: 200.5 Road Clearence - Ins.: 11.6 Weight - Lbs.: 4,035 Bed Dimensions - Width: 65.0 in. Bed Dimensions - Length: 98.0 in. Fuel Capacity: 22 gal. Milage: 8-10.2 mpg Attached Images __________________ Mats.. ---------------------------------------------------- 1971 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper 475CBB/TH400/AC 1992 Silverado Sport Truck 1988 Silverado 2500 Ext Longbed 4x4 2001 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4 1990 Chevrolet K3500 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix 1980 Z 28 350/4-speed/AC/T-top 1980 Camaro Coupe V6/3-speed 1979 Buick Century Wagon

03-21-2005, 04:50 PM	#2
68 50th Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 833	Another pic. Attached Images __________________ Mats.. ---------------------------------------------------- 1971 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper 475CBB/TH400/AC 1992 Silverado Sport Truck 1988 Silverado 2500 Ext Longbed 4x4 2001 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4 1990 Chevrolet K3500 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix 1980 Z 28 350/4-speed/AC/T-top 1980 Camaro Coupe V6/3-speed 1979 Buick Century Wagon

03-21-2005, 04:51 PM	#3
68 50th Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 833	Picture 3 Attached Images __________________ Mats.. ---------------------------------------------------- 1971 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper 475CBB/TH400/AC 1992 Silverado Sport Truck 1988 Silverado 2500 Ext Longbed 4x4 2001 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4 1990 Chevrolet K3500 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix 1980 Z 28 350/4-speed/AC/T-top 1980 Camaro Coupe V6/3-speed 1979 Buick Century Wagon

03-21-2005, 04:52 PM	#4
68 50th Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 833	Picture 4 Attached Images __________________ Mats.. ---------------------------------------------------- 1971 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper 475CBB/TH400/AC 1992 Silverado Sport Truck 1988 Silverado 2500 Ext Longbed 4x4 2001 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4 1990 Chevrolet K3500 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix 1980 Z 28 350/4-speed/AC/T-top 1980 Camaro Coupe V6/3-speed 1979 Buick Century Wagon

03-21-2005, 04:53 PM	#5
68 50th Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 833	Picture 5 Attached Images __________________ Mats.. ---------------------------------------------------- 1971 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper 475CBB/TH400/AC 1992 Silverado Sport Truck 1988 Silverado 2500 Ext Longbed 4x4 2001 GMC Sierra SLT 4x4 1990 Chevrolet K3500 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix 1980 Z 28 350/4-speed/AC/T-top 1980 Camaro Coupe V6/3-speed 1979 Buick Century Wagon

03-21-2005, 05:18 PM	#6
69 Short Fleet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 1,086	This is an interesting post, notice the "air intake vents" on the hood. Wonder if this is GMC's 50th.

03-21-2005, 05:57 PM	#7
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,284	I wonder if its some kind of special regional dealer package thing. Interesing! __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

03-21-2005, 06:24 PM	#8
Hook'em Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Round Rock, Texas Posts: 858	The hood vents were the first thing I noticed. Thanks for posting the pics. __________________ Hook'em

03-21-2005, 06:36 PM	#9
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	I noticed the small area embossed around GMC on the tailgate. I did not know about this until 2 weeks ago. Thanks to Rod. Great photos and interesting data. Thanks for finding and posting this article - Bob __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

03-21-2005, 06:52 PM	#10
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	I always get a kick outta lookng at old ad's about our trucks and some of the options that could have been.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

03-21-2005, 07:00 PM	#11
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,845	Never heard of it, but that is cool. Wouldn't be a 50th, since GMC and Chevy did not originate on the same year. But maybe a model to compete with Chevy 50th models. What ever type it was, it is a nice setup. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

03-21-2005, 07:09 PM	#12
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	Very Cool Pics and Info! Thansk For Sharing That! __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

03-27-2005, 11:14 AM	#13
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Hodaka 100s,GMC,and the Golden West! __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-27-2005, 12:00 PM	#14
tnblazerk5 User #12137 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: kingsport,upper east tenn Posts: 11,598	i like the hood vents on there and i have never heard of one of them either ? can anybody find better pics of those hood vent things ?

03-27-2005, 12:08 PM	#15
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Hodaka!!!!!! Now there is a flashback! Campaigned a Hodaka 100 flat tracker when I was in high school...LOL! __________________ '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)



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03-27-2005, 01:13 PM	#16
lngbed71 Nothing fits but the oil Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gaston, Indiana Posts: 424	Cool nostalga, I really like old school stuff. It looks like the truck is really twisted in pic 5. Do they have that much flex?? __________________ Land of the free Because of the brave

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