BF Auction: 1968 Chevrolet C20 Pickup

Bid to: $500View Result

  • Seller: Bob L ehman
  • Location: Stanley, New York
  • Mileage: 123,127 Shown
  • Chassis #: CE248T124810
  • Title Status: Clean

Some classic Pickups are trailer queens, while others earn their keep as their creators intended. This 1968 Chevrolet C20 lands squarely in the second category, but its best days certainly aren’t behind it. This solid old workhorse would serve perfectly as the foundation for a faithful restoration or a custom build. It retains its original drivetrain, and the specifications would make it an accomplished tow vehicle. The owner wants it to head to a new home, listing the C20 with us at Barn Finds Auctions.

Often, a classic will appear at Barn Finds with an unspecified history. That is one aspect of this C20 that helps it stand out. Its original owner purchased and specified this White gem as a backup vehicle for his garbage haulage business. It didn’t always sit around waiting for action because it was regularly pressed into service until the original owner retired with four years under this classic’s belt. It then served as a daily driver until it passed to the grandson in the 1980s as a commuter to his farm job. However, it saw service hauling equipment around the farm, often rescuing vehicles considered more able that became trapped by mud. It appears it has hibernated since 1995, and its panels carry the bumps and bruises, confirming it has worked for a living. The bed is rough, and there is typical rust in the rockers and lower cab corners, but this C20 is structurally sound and worth saving. It retains its original trim, including the optional chrome bumpers at both ends. The glass looks nice, and the overall impression is that this Pickup has much to offer the winning bidder. However, we must delve below the surface to discover its strongest attributes.

Garbage hauling is not a job for automotive wimps, and the original owner equipped this Pickup to guarantee it was up for the challenge. The engine bay houses a 327ci V8 that produced 220hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. The power feeds to the road via a four-speed manual transmission and a 4.57 Posi rear end suspended on one-ton springs. Earning a living shouldn’t all be hard work, and the power assistance for the steering and brakes should make life easy for the driver once behind the wheel. The transmission features a “creeper” first gear, and when combined with the Posi rear end, it is easy to see why this C20 was able to rescue four-wheel drive vehicles stranded in the farm mud and snow. The owner confirms it wasn’t just rescues where this classic showed its true colors. It would also venture into locations where owners of those supposedly more able vehicles were unwilling or unable to go. This Pickup has sat since 1995, leaving the winning bidder to perform a revival. The owner confirms the engine turns but cannot locate the keys to coax it into life. The bulletproof nature of the Chevy small-block means that it may not be challenging, and even if the new owner doesn’t plan a faithful restoration, the drivetrain would be a sound foundation for a custom or rat rod build.

The original owner wasn’t afraid to treat themselves to a few creature comforts in their workhorse. They ordered this C20 with the optional Green cloth and vinyl trim, decorative pedal trims, a pushbutton AM radio, and ammeter and oil pressure gauges. The interior will benefit from a refresh, but the list of parts requiring replacement to achieve a factory-fresh state is extremely short. The seat cover has seen better days, so replacing it and the foam would be wise. The pad is cracked, but the photos suggest the remaining trim and vinyl mat might present nicely after a thorough clean. One attractive feature of these interiors is how easy they are to dismantle and reassemble. That makes them prime candidates for a DIY restoration, removing labor costs from the equation. The indications are it will take more time than money to have the inside of this classic shining like a new penny.

Classic Pickups remain one of the most consistent market performers, and it is easy to see why. They feature robust engineering, bulletproof reliability, and exceptional versatility. The world will be the new owner’s oyster with this 1968 Chevrolet C20. Returning it to its former glory would be straightforward because everything required is readily available and affordable. It would be an ideal candidate for a custom build, and its drivetrain combination would allow it to carry or tow any loads effortlessly. However, there is also something irresistible about purchasing a vehicle with a colorful history, and this C20 ticks that box. It needs someone to return it to its rightful place on our roads, and you could be the perfect candidate. So, what do you say?

Bid On This Auction

High Bid: $500 (Reserve Not Met)
Ended: Nov 22, 2023 10:30am MDT
High Bidder: BBcarguy
  • BBcarguy bid $500.00  2023-11-21 15:43:58
  • Hotgrandude
    bid $200.00  2023-11-18 11:31:31

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Yblocker

    What happened, previous comments have disappeared from recent posts.
    I’m no Chevrolet guy by any means, but I have owned a few through the years, back in the 70s, I had a 68 C10, 307, 3spd, and I liked it, last of the good ones in my opinion. I like the 67-68s, never cared for the front end of the 69-72s. As far as this one, it’s rough, it’s a 3/4 ton, and not something I would personally care about restoring. Just my opinion. I’m sure others will have other ideas

    Like 3
  2. Rick

    Makes me nostalgic for my old 69 Dodge 3/4 ton Camper Special 318 4 speed manual. That old truck was a Boss. It hauled the cab over camper like it wasn’t even there. Without the camper it was just a great truck. I was hired for a construction job once because the guy liked my truck.

    Like 5
    • Ashtray

      I probably will always like these years of Chevies? I had a 72 Cheyenne w/long bed. It was a one owner that I bought from a good friend of mine. I fixed it up myself with new rocker panels and a paint job. Had seat reupholstered etc.
      It had so much rust underneath the chrome after I removed it all, i just threw the chrome away an left the sides and tailgate bare.
      It was a pretty 2 tone blue, AC, with AT.
      What was I thinking?
      I didn’t know at that time that it could have been shortened into a short bed version?
      Hopefully someone will give this one a little back garage body work and repaint it? Bondo (brand) would be acceptable in this case. Why not?
      I just bought a gallon of Sherwin Williams ATX green paint, with reducer, a couple of days ago. The paint and reducer was only $433.00.
      Sherwin Williams makes a budget line of paint that is cheaper than that.
      It could be a work truck again.
      Just my oponion!

      Like 4
  3. Howard A Howard AMember

    Just a good ol’ farm truck, is all. Another of my pet peeves, while very minor, like the “miles on the clock” thing, the transmission often referred to as “granny gear”, or “creeper”, is actually called a “compound low”, and for most purposes, simply a 3 speed with a low 1st that is rarely used. 3rd( or 4th) is still 1:1, and sorely needs some kind of O/D, or more user friendly rear gearing. Guy across the street from me, had one of these he dollied up to the nines,chrome pipes, goofy wheels, and I’m not sure what looks worse, that or this. To me, this is far more representative of what this truck is, just a good ol’ rattly door, rough riding, motor a hollerin’ at 60, funky farm truck, nothing more.

    Like 2

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