If you aren’t familiar with the term “day two” it basically means a vehicle that was driven from the dealer the first day and on the second day, the owner started making changes and upgrades. Most associated with a ’60s or ’70s muscle cars, day two modifications might be Cragar wheels with wide tires that replace ugly steel factory wheels or an upgraded carburetor/intake/exhaust. While the “day two” term isn’t usually associated with pickups, this 1973 Chevrolet C20 seems to fit the meaning perfectly. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid near $4,000. Located in Fort Harrison, Montana, the truck spent most of its life in Eastern Washington state. Let’s take a look at this awesome “day two survivor” and thanks to Pete M. for the tip on this ride!
According to the seller, they purchased this truck from the original owner who owned it from new until 2019. There is a ton of original paperwork that goes with the truck, which backs up the story. You can see the slotted mag wheels are period-correct to the 1970s. When combined with the KC driving lights up front, you can see this is a true day-two survivor.
The interior appears fairly stock except for the dash and seat covers. The saddle-blanket seat cover was a very popular accessory when this truck was new and a lot of owners wasted no time in protecting their new upholstery with one of these covers. You can also see some switches and indicator lights on the left side of the steering wheel. I’m guessing these are to control the KC lights, rear lights, and camper accessories? Overall, the interior looks like it’s in great shape and other than a few little things the ad mentions, it doesn’t need much work at all.
The engine is the original 350 cubic inch V8 with an RV cam and headers. The seller says it starts and runs well with no noticeable smoke or noises. The gears are 4.10s, so it probably has some good get up and go. Like the interior, the ad mentions some small maintenance items that will need to be addressed along with a few electrical gremlins.
Here you can see the paint on the top of the tailgate is faded, which shows up on the sides of the pickup box as well. I’m guessing it is from having a camper on it most of its life. Overall, this looks like a fun project that would be perfect for a light restoration or to drive as-is. What do you think of the “day two” style of vehicle?
Nice truck, naturally, I’d say that. While the 4:10 gears are the right choice for pulling something, and with that hitch, it was no rowboat, but gonna holler on the highway, and consume fuel accordingly. I have 3:70’s in mine, and still turns 2800 on the highway and mid teens( downwind, it is square), and a big difference in ride with a 3/4 ton. I never heard the “Day 2” reference, but this truck has a TON of miles serving their owners well.
The day two reference is add on’s by the owner after purchase from a dealer. i.e. wheels and tires, rv cam, headers, those monster mud flaps LOL. Things that personalize it from factory.
I feel like I have jumped to another dimension some times. In my 65 years of being a car guy I have never heard “DAY TWO”
ive got a 3/4 ton 4×4 pickup with 4.56’s . you should hear my truck at 75 mph. what a scream…literally
4 X 4, you probably have tall mud tires. What does your tack read? 4.56 with tall tires could be the same as high 3’s in the gear ratio. I use to use a formula on gust being right. Double your tack reading and add 10, should be your speed.
8r19.5 tires cooper C140’S 33 inches tall. tires are 10 years old 12 ply with still nice tread. tach was reading 3300 . how accurate i dont know. interesting formula i got to use that . thanks for the math…10 mpg . i actually expected less
Day two is most likely an up and coming buzz word. From what I see half the classic car or truck owners have a ‘day two’ piece, it should be referred to as ‘year two’ due the time it takes to get a classic up to one’s acceptable standards. Too bad it wasnt a K20. This C20 should go for 12K, expect brake and suspension work soon.
What a nice well cared 86,000 mile rig! Great write up and the “day two” reference brings back a lot of memories from my youth! Haven’t heard that in years.
I know I’m in the minority here but I really like its colors! There’s something about these poo-ish greens so typical of the early 70s that reveal what year vehicle we’re looking at.
OK, such saddle blankets are seen in just about every truck for sale, but why not just lift it and let us see how the OE cover has survived? As for the so-called ‘day 2’ upgrades I tend to be somehow sceptical towards them, as they tend to involve dubious craftmanship or electrical connections. With that said the light equipment (both front and rear) on these vehicles are far from sufficient OOTB for work truck duty
local_sherriff I looked at the linked gallery and there are pics of the seat without the cover there.
I had a summer job at a tire and wheel shop back in the late 70s, and the day two phase was somewhat of a joke when guys would come in with a window sticker still on there new ride that they drove over to us the next day for new rims and tires.
Boy does this bring back memories. Very cool survivor! I was working in a small town truck stop cafe as a high school senior in 1977. On the other side of the store, there was a huge wall of truck accessories for sale, much like on this truck. That stuff flew off the shelves! And if you ever doubt that these slotted mags were the deal back then, just watch any episode of “CHiPs”.
Great 70s color and thumbs up on the wheels
Usually “day two” mods were something simple like tires and wheels. Tearing into the engine seems a little extreme. Not a ton of rust, but look this over closely. Cab mounts, bottoms of fenders, doors, rockers, etc. As for the tires being “older”, how long has it been since you could get these tires from Sears?
Hmm. Know-one has brought up the awesome ambulance spec 120 volt outlet on the firewall.
In my opinion, better than having mag wheels. excellent for out in the woods.
I spoke too soon. Apparently it’s a 12 volt outlet…that’s weird.
Avocado green just like my parents kitchen appliances back in the 70’s! One of my high school classmate’s father has a similar truck, only it was orange and white. His father took away the keys after burning up a set of new rear tires on a month!
I had a 78 camper special same color but no white sides
The 350 blew so I found a 71 sb 400- 4bbl for it and then a little later the tranny went so I found a rebuilt th 350 . It had headers and the 4.10’s
Now, with the car drivetrain it freakin screwed
Best memory is street racing a brand new 87 Iroc and smoking it with the rusty front fenders flapping as I passed him
The look of disgust on their faces at next light was worth every scraped knuckle that truck gave me
Mine, same year, same color, same motor, same gearing but a 3 + 3, C-30. 10 MPG
i wondered who would spot the out lets’n inverter. Nice in a wrk truck. Might put smaller tire on to carry weight, save $?
I too had to hit the Googles to confirm this “day two” term. Kudos to Montana for kicking it old school.
Very popular term at mag wheel shops back in the day, heard it all the time!