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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lengby, Minnesota
Posts: 225
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Why are our trucks so popular?
I'm 42, so I remember when these trucks were new. I remember in High School how much I liked this body style and how during these years, there were comfort and safety changes beyond belief, but why is it that the next two generations are loving these trucks as much, if not more than my own generation? 1967 brought about drastic body style changes for Ford and GM, but the earlier trucks also look good. My personal opinion is this. Since 1972, there has not been a GM truck that looks as sleek and areodynamic as the 67-72. They seem to have become bigger and more square over the years. When I was a child in OK, we drove trucks because we were always needing to haul stuff and trucks were cheaper to purchase. I have owned over 200 vehicles in my time and about 80 percent of them have been trucks. I would like to hear the opinions of all ages.
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Jackson, New Jersey
Posts: 1,560
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
heres what i suspect in many cases but defenatly not all
and i here it at the shows and meets all the time MY DADDY HAD ONE WHEN I WAS KID maybe this might even be what pushed me in this direction when ever i drive my 67 3 on the tree i rember when i was a little kid my dog would run and hide under the bed when my old man was 5 blocks away on his way home. this usualy ment the dog did something bad earlyier in the day and he knew pops was gonna give em a beaten when he got there. we couldnt here the truck untill about tree blocks away that specific whine of the 3 speed tranny gave us all the warning that the old man was comming
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2004 Silverado 2500HD Crewcab 4x4 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 1971 CHEYENNE LWB (THE LOVE SHACK) 1967 c-10 lwb (THE FARMERS DAUGHTER) Last edited by jc; 03-13-2006 at 10:13 PM. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Beeville, Texas
Posts: 1,943
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I remember when I was a kid I loved riding in the truck because my Dad was always borrowing it from Grandpaw to haul stuff because he didn't have a truck. Whenever he needed it he'd say "lets go borrow Grandpaw's truck". I remember every time we used it, the gas tank was almost empty and we'd go put maybe 2 or 3 gallons in it when we were done. I basically grew up around this truck so I had to have it after it had been retired to the field. GM knew what they were doing when they built the 69's and 70's!
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RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck Last edited by Robert1970C20rstbukt; 03-14-2006 at 06:29 PM. |
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#4 |
Aluminum slot wheels rule...
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 6,212
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
They were real trucks. They looked good and you could beat the living hell out of them without hurting them much. (true for 4x4s anyway)
IMO the reason they looked so good is because GM was doing good making and selling sedans, musclecars, coupes, etc. They had a good set of designers/engineers who designed the looks for all those cars, so when it came time to build a pick-up truck, they knew what to do and how to make it look good. Just the way I view it, but I didn't grow up in the era of these truck either. |
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#5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Wakaw, Sask, Canada
Posts: 3,180
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I think they are so popular because of their appearance. To me, they look better than any other style, and I am not brand loyal at all. Everything just seems to flow right, have the right curves, and the best color/trim combos. I have seen many perfectly restored Fords and an occasional old Dodge, and they just don't look as good to me as a 67 swb fleet or a 2 tone 72 swb with upper and lower trim.
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"You can take the man out of PA, but you can't take PA out of the man" |
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#6 |
Post Whore
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Owensboro KY
Posts: 11,905
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
Well the first truck my dad had that I remember was a 1986 Ram 50, don't really care to restore one of those although the 82 scottsdale he had I wouldn't mind getting one like on day. I don't know what it is about these trucks but I have ALWAYS loved the 71-72 trucks but after getting mine i am starting to like the 67 and 68 as well still don't like the 69-70 as much as the other two but i wanted to get a camaro for a project car found my truck listed in the camaro catagory on E-bay put in a a lowball bid and 7 days later had to go pick the thing up. thought about just putting it back on in the right catagory but the left front brake locked up went to fix that and a week later had the damn thing down to bare frame. now i am hooked!
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Drew '71 Chevy 350/TH350 Hugger Orange Currently just a rolling frame, body work soon to follow!!! Check out my Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212927 Daily Driver: 1997 Chevrolet S-10 with more gears than pistons ![]() |
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#7 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,218
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
My take on this is GM was in the beginning of building less of a plain old work truck and a more refined comfortable all around truck. With a wide variety of power trains available they were still tough trucks but with the nicer trim and interiors the trucks were welcome in other than work situations. One of the most beautiful trucks of the 67-72 era is the 72 Chevy, ALL black with ALL the trim. It's just hard to beat that one for looks.
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: south carolina
Posts: 658
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I'm 35 and about 12 years ago I started liking these old trucks because a coworker had one that he had bought brand new when he was younger.(he was in his mid 40's) anyway he had restored it and it looked great and ran like a scalded dog, his was a longbed also,my oldest brother bought one around then wihch ended up being the one that I bought and that caught on fire recently.(its on the road again, My other older brother owns it now) Funny, that truck was owned by me and three of my brothers and is still running and looking good despite having caught fire.Anyway I just like the looks of them and they ride pretty good considering there age.
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1972 chevy cheyenne 10,nothing special at the moment,Its a work in progress, Working on the engine, paint and body,engine, paint and body,now its the suspenion, ahh hell I'm about tired of working on it. Maybe it will be a rat rod. ![]() |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oak Creek, WI
Posts: 29
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I am 38 and have a couple olds cutlasses, one for me and one for my wife. I had to get a truck just cause they are cool. No story, nothing. They just look awesome and to me is what a truck is all about, 70 gmc 3/4 ton.
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#10 |
Active Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Lonsdale, MN
Posts: 109
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
Hey I'm 26 My grandpa bought a '67 brand new for his business, now I'm in the process of restoring it and using it for mine (more for a estimate truck than a work truck). I really like the look of these trucks, and lets face it where are millions out there and parts are pretty east to come by. Unless your from MN looking for a desent cab...
Thanks, Paul
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'67 Chevy LWB (Running) '67 Chevy LWB (Not Running) '70 Chevy LWB (In Pieces) '72 Chevy LWB (In Pieces) |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Glendale Arizona
Posts: 747
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
Well I am 17 and I bought my truck because I love classic pick ups, and the best looking classic in my eyes is a 67-72 truck. Something about the body, interior, and no emissions crap really makes these truck classic.
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"A true hotrodder wouldn't be content untill he had created a car so violent, so hairy, so totally sick that the very act of dropping the hammer would result in instant death. Anything less results in the need to go faster." - Tony DeFeo |
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#12 |
4 eyed fever
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Eureka, Nevada
Posts: 500
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I've been wanting one of these trucks since I was about 20(in 1980). It's a combination of things, but looks is at the top of the list. I need a truck, I need 4wd, I can actually work on these things, they are tough as he!!, parts are plentiful and inexpensive, and it's the best looking body style ever, IMO. It's got everything I want and need.
Al
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1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!! |
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Spokane , Wash.
Posts: 790
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I'm from the era , we drove to high school in a 68 cst when it was pretty much new . Red c10 cst 327 / t400 , what a beautiful truck , it was my best friends dads , he'd let us take it to school if he needed something picked up in town . The minute we were outta sight we'd pull over and flip the air cleaner lid over , made it like an open element air cleaner , man thet quadrajet sounded great . I've owned at least 25 of these trucks over the years , i just like the memories. I've waited along time to find the 68 bb cst i have now , i'll keep it forever
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Can-Am Motorsports 37 Chev Coupe 331 4 speed 5.13 posi . ex-gasser . 64 Biscayne 409 2x4 4 speed 4.11 posi 65 Nova Wagon Drag Car 383 t400 (Dragin-Wagon) 68 c10 cst 396 t400 a/c buckets lwb 4.11 posi (SOLD) |
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#14 |
Junior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wilmington DE
Posts: 218
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
Im 41 , when I was 15 my best friend got his dads 70 .That was a great time fixing it up and driving to school .. Im on my 6th 67-72 truck . I think they are the best looking truck out there.......
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#15 |
Just like to part out trucks!!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles
Posts: 27,396
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
My first truck in 1979 was a 69 GMC 6 cyl 3 speed, then I had a 70 chevy 327 3 speed in 1980. My dad was a Chevy dealer, so I had access to most years up till 1984, I liked these years the best then and still do today.
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67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure" |
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#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: British Columbia CANADA
Posts: 118
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I'm not a Chevy guy at all, infact I have worked as a mechanic for Lexus for 16 years and think they are the best built cars in the world and my last truck was a Toyota. That said, I really like these old trucks and after driving expensive luxury cars all day I can't wait to drive home in my 71. I think I am quietly revolting against the modern over complicated cars and trucks. It also helps that the body lines are great and you can't beat the sound of a V8. Headers and dual exhaust in 2 weeks, I can't wait.
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1969 C20 Customer Camper CST, 396, TH400, Factory A/C, Olive Green. |
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#17 |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
First off, I'd have to say GM took a lot of cues from a 67 for the 99-02 Silverado and they are a beautiful and sleek looking truck and if gas is still around in 20-30 years they will be the "new old truck" to restore.
I'm not a "My daddy had one when I was a kid" person, I'm a "My grandaddy had one when I was a kid" person. He had a 1 ton dually yellow and white 72 Custom with a flatbed stake rack. Spent MANY years loading winter firewood onto the bed of that truck. We beat the piss out of it, and it never complained. It was retired in the late '90's due to severe rust issues (NY truck) and I pirated most of the interior out of it. Also, you can buy ALMOST EVERY SINGLE PART for these trucks IN STEEL. I think some of the exceptions are a cab, cowl, 67/68 grill, and longbed bedsides. If you want to restore an old truck would you rather do a 67-72 where you can order every part you need from a catalog or would you rather restore and old dodge.... good luck finding parts on that one.
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Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride ![]() American Born, Country by the Grace of God ![]() 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NB
Posts: 3,367
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I had never heard about such a awsome style truck until, oneday looking
through a auto trader I saw a pic of my truck in primer with no windows and I said to my self I gotta have that wonderful thing of a truck. So I sold everything I could came up with $3000 and begged mom for $1000 and away I went to get it........12 years later and $10000 it is almost done.... I look it over everday and can't get enough of it.......
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1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD |
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#19 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: southern pa
Posts: 698
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
Because my first ride was a 70 c-10 350/3 on the tree, Orange and rusty but that f-er ran strong (headers 2 1/2 duals, 650 holley offenhouser intake,365 hp vette cam). Cant tell you how many RR tires were on that truck.,
eveyone at my high school called it "fast orange" made Irocs and 5.0s look silly. It would clean you out. after 3 years of daily beatings (nothing every broke!! just the once evry 6 month linkage bind on the 3 speed) I gave in and bought a Monte SS. |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 2,145
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
My Dad wanted one of these just after he got his new 66 Chevy custom cab and as a 8 year old I can remember when the 67's came out how he pointed out all the nice car like features that came on the 67's. A whole older now generation launched this body style since they were more car like with air conditioning and automatics and the big move for campers and by early 70's the 5th wheel camper. Then the thing that kept these in the premium spot light was when the boxy 73's and 74's came out, new problems of peeling paint and almost immediately the early rusted above the wheel arch boxsides and fenders dogged that body style. The clean, rocker rust only problem of the earlier 67 - 72 bodystyles lt made these trucks a premium long lasting value. That tough lasting body part never faded and later the 73-87's took their hit again with the firery outside the frame gas tank problem. Even the gas tank in the cab 67-72 never got much critism. So they always were a favorite from a much improved pickup in 67 to why the standard was so high that the 73 up styles couldn't compete with.
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'66 CST BBW swb fleet 327 fac ac '67 CST 4x4 swb 327 stepside project '72 Cheyenne K20 50k original '72 Cheyenne Super K20 project '73 Sierra swb 4x4 frame off in paint stage '74 Cheyenne Super swb w/16k actual '71 & 72 Cheyenne K10 4x4 swb's '70 426 HEMICUDA conv SHAKER 4 sp Dana 60 '60 Impala conv 327 PG fac ac loaded 3rd owner '72 GMC K2500 4x4 '59 Apache CST BBW fleetside swb 283 '73 ElCamino SS LS1 T56 true SS bucket tach '76 ElCamino SS 52k survivor '87 Grand National 41k True 2nd to last built in 1987. '86 K30 454 SRW fleetside CA since new '88 Trans Am GTA 39k bought new 2018 DEMON plum crazy @ 840HP! "Need for speed" Last edited by HOTFUN; 03-14-2006 at 10:23 AM. |
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#21 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,229
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
it's just a culmination of great design, performance, and affordability. because it was the first gen of trucks gm planned on selling to peeps who would not be using them for work, they decided to put a little more thought into it. comfort, style, ruggedness. it's all there. all things considered (except anyone over 6ft.) Borrowing the '71-72 eggcrate grill (also used on the camaro) from ferrari paid off in spades. it's just a well done design. plus, like you guys said, parts are plentiful, considering you can still get many of them from the HELP! section at the auto parts store.
Last edited by cstanley; 03-14-2006 at 10:20 AM. |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Arvada Colorado
Posts: 1,321
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
My opinion is that one of the reasons these trucks are so popular is because of the way that they drive....its not something that I can really put into words though. Kind of like the Harley sticker: If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand.
I have had 4 1970 trucks and they have all driven great! They just make you feel good when you are driving them....until you have to pay the gas prices that is.... ![]() ![]() ![]()
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Larry 1949 Willys CJ2A, Kubota Turbo Diesel engine, Warn Overdrive, 11 inch brakes, 12volt, Warn M8000 Winch "Little Green" 1970 Rustoleum Roller Red C20 Custom Camper 454 TH400 "Big Red" 1971 K20 6.2 Turbo Diesel 4x4 4spd Ranger Overdrive "Pumpkin Wagon" 2005 VW Beetle Diesel 44+ MPG "Silver Bullet" |
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#23 |
Jamie Hyneman is my twin
![]() Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: La Junta, Colorado
Posts: 705
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
My grandpa gave my dad a 64 short step with a converted doghouse for a tool box. It even had shingles. Dad traded that for a 1971 4x4 with tow hooks (if only I'd known). That's the truck I learned to drive in. I can remember him making me go from first to fourth, changing gears every time we passed a telephone pole. Then back down to second and stop. Then do it all again.
I've had a Chevelle coupe, a Nova station wagon, and drive a fuel effecient 97 bonneville. None of these will haul a load of firewood, and only the Nova was as simple to work on. These trucks are sleek enough to be beautiful when restored, and tough enough to work like a hammer. How could you go wrong.
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Justin SOLD 1967 K10 Fleetside, 283, Front and Rear Posi SOLD Color Wiring Diagrams Now in High Resolution V8 and Cab and Cab and Chassis |
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#24 |
Gone Fishing
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Fort Worth, Texas 76135
Posts: 12,361
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
I think they are the best looking trucks ever made. They have nice curves and lines. Can be used for work or pleasure. They ride good and can be customized to whatever extent you want to go. Lots of parts are interchangable, so you have a large selection of parts that you can use. Just the best trucks ever in my opinion
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68 Chevy Short Fleetside LSX Swap Under Way 3.73 posi 2.5/4 drop ![]() 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited 2019 Chevy Traverse Redline Edition Wifes Ride Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3483616 |
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#25 |
Old Skool Club
![]() Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas"
Posts: 10,880
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Re: Why are our trucks so popular?
Harry Bentley Bradley is the designer of record, for the '67's. He drove a pickup truck, and was one of the few in his era, who did. The "coke bottle" shape that GM had introduced for the automotive effort, was an influence, but so, too, was the changing concept of using a truck as a second vehicle. To have offered the integrated A/C, as it was, was a bit of a novelty. Not that A/C was new....which it wasn't. But, for trucks, most A/C units were add-on under-dash units, or bolted to the top of the cab for commercial units.
So, we have a more car-like truck, right? That had been equated to a "less masculine" appearance by GM and led to the new front cap design for '69, which saw another modification in '71. It's all history. I am a believer in what happens in our hobby. In the same way, the '53-56 Ford F-100's became popular because they were perceived as less truck-like, in comparison to the other offerings from GM, Dodge, International, etc. History has proven this fact with the body style now being reproduced in its' entirety. While we don't yet have steel repro bodies for the F-100's, we do have them in fiberglass. The '67-72 GM cabs are probably head for the same honor. It's inevitable. As long as there is a customer base to support the demand, they will continue to manufacture the stuff we want. When rust-free cabs are needed, I feel sure we'll have them, but probably in 'glass. I, for one, was not particularly impressed with the new body in late '66. I was still hooked up on the want list for a GTO, or a 442, or a GS. The Fairlane GT's were cool, but the Comet version was (my opinion) ugly. Mopar's were too square-looking, although the Hemi's were definately stout, albeit very rare in my circle of friends.....i.e., non-existant. The 350HP/327 Nova's were very desirable, and I would still like to have one. Nobody I ran with could afford a Vette, or a Shelby in any body style. Still, it seems that dealers were discounting 427 Cobra's because of those that lingered on the lots, not that there were a lot of them. I was in Taiwan, then VietNam, when the '69's were made, which is why I have one.....sorta. I bought a '69 for my youngest son, when he turned 16. I liked it so much, that I got one for myself. That, my friends, is why I have mine. It isn't as roomy as my Tundra, but it's a lot more fun to drive. Having restified a few other vehicles, I am enjoying my time that I spend with it. It's what we all want to do.
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Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. |
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