The beauty of a workhorse is that it can lead multiple lives, helping owners across generations tackle tough jobs from hauling waste to the town dump to carting building supplies for a renovation project. Unfortunately, that means these dependable rigs are used up by the time it reaches its fourth or fifth owner. That’s not the case with our latest Barn Finds Exclusive, which is a genuine one-owner 1985 Chevrolet C20 pickup with lots of recent maintenance work and a full respray in its original color.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Wilson Wright for listing his handsome rig with us. The C20 is located in Lee, Massachusetts, but did not perform winter duty, which likely plays a big role in its impressive cosmetic condition. Per Wilson: Bought new. Rebuilt and installed 454 around 10,000 miles. In barn or shop during winter. Used for towing a car trailer. Changed oil every 3,000 miles. Transmission oil and filter every summer.
Finding one of these classic Chevy pickups with its original owner is truly a feat. The rebuild of an already dependable motor should provide the next owner with plenty of reliable miles; speaking of which, the truck has a mere 109,289 miles on the clock. Wilson has made a few additional improvements which should make this C20 quite pleasant to drive: Changed rear gears from 4:11’s to 3:70’s. Added gas tank on right side, with cross-over tube. Extended mirrors to accommodate a trailer. Brakes at least 75%.
While the C20 isn’t exactly rare, finding one in such nice condition certainly is. There’s one noted accident in its past, which resulted in the driver’s door being replaced. Otherwise, this appears to be a no-stories example with some heavy lifting already done as it relates to cosmetic and mechanical improvements: Drivers door replaced from parking lot accident. I painted truck as well. Recently replaced mufflers, rubber floor cover, and matting, dash, heater core. After-market a/c from the dealer at time of purchase. Added radio. Be sure to reach out to Wilson via the contact form below if you’re interested.
Location: Lee, Massachusetts
Asking Price: $8,000
Mileage: 109,289
Title Status: Clear
If you have a classic that needs a new home and would like to sell it here on Barn Finds, you can read more about getting it listed here!
A workhorse and a great pick up.
The addition of the extra fuel tank extends the range as the mileage is 10.
Ten miles per gallon. Period.
But if pulling a horse trailer, or using it as intended as a work truck, nothing finer!
Love it and if I did Not already have a 80 Silverado and a 79 GMC k25 in my driveway i’d be all in on this nice example
Nice truck and 8K seems reasonable for it’s condition, the only issue I would worry about is MPG on that 454.
The cats need to go in the recycle bin. So glad I live in a smog exempt state.
Hmm, the price of my ’77 GMC short box just went up. ( if you can’t beat them, join them, apparently) I will say, it’s a great truck, and this still qualifies as a truck, not a car with a box, like today. My 350 gets about 10-12, a carb rebuild may garner another 1 or 2,(driveway rebuilds rarely do anything, and rebuilt carbs are $300 bucks, $450 for a new one, that buys a lot of gas) I can’t imagine what this unit gets. In case many of you have forgotten what it’s like to drive a vehicle that gets 10 mpg, it’s a hassle. Always staring at the gas gauge, afraid to press the foot feed any farther, as the needle is dropping fast enough as it is.(there’s a direct connection between how far the gas pedal goes down, to how fast the needle drops) I use mid-range gas, $3.39 in Colorado, I’d think this would need premium, another .25/gal. $20 bucks doesn’t go far. Again, great trucks, and you’ll get to know the local gas station cashier by their 1st name.
Hello Howard, Thanks for the comments. Yes, the truck gets 10mpg towing. If I went 55mph, I could squeak 11-12. Does take regular gas. But when the pedal goes to the floor, it takes off with the trailer. My ’08 Tundra only gets 10mpg as well. So for all the electronics, I did expect better.
Yeah, I wouldn’t want to feed this truck on a daily basis, but if you need to haul heavy stuff you can’t do much better. This one is very appealing, and brings back a lot of memories of gathering firewood as a kid. We’d stack on as much as could possibly fit, the 20 series trucks shouldered it well.
My 76 C1500 454 managed 12 to 14mpg, and it didn’t seem to matter wether I was pulling a trailer or not. This truck looks amazing, especially being from MA. Well worth the asking price in my opinion.
Had an ’87 C10, similar miles and condition (straight/clean but had one repaint, blown-up 305 replaced with a stock 350 in virtually undetectable fashion). I sold it 2 years ago for $2000. Am starting to think I gave it away!