Some craigslist listings feel like they need a second read, and this 1973 Chevrolet 1-ton truck out of El Cajon, California is one of them. Listed for $6,500 or best offer, it’s described as a daily-driven 454-powered truck with a clean title, current registration, and insurance. It’s also not a standard cab setup anymore, which is where things get a little more interesting. Thanks for the tip, Rocco B.!
According to the seller, this 1973 Chevy has been “chopped extended” into a 4- or 5-seater configuration. The ad doesn’t explain exactly when or how that work was done, but it does make clear this is not a normal off-the-shelf pickup. It’s listed as a rear-wheel-drive truck with an automatic transmission, gasoline fuel, and a 454 V8.
The seller says it can be driven daily and mentions a few newer items, including a new interior, stereo, speakers, and a new swamp cooler. There’s also a fifth-wheel hitch, which the seller says clips on and off. Mileage is listed at 54,000, though the ad does not clarify whether that is original mileage.
The truck is painted blue, and the listing shows the title status as clean. It is also registered and insured, according to the seller. Trade interest is mentioned as well, specifically for an older four-door Chevy dually truck.
There’s a little backstory in the ad too. The seller says the truck had previously been sold, or at least was supposed to be, but the buyer left a deposit and never returned to finish the deal. After waiting several weeks, the seller reposted it.
For enthusiasts, the appeal here is probably less about originality and more about personality. A 1973 one-ton Chevy with a 454 already has presence, and the modified extended seating arrangement makes it even more unusual. It sounds like the kind of truck that would get questions anywhere it stops, mostly because people would want to know exactly what they’re looking at.
This is also one of those vehicles where an in-person inspection would matter. The ad gives enough information to make it interesting, but not enough to answer every question. Still, if you’re into big-block work trucks, custom haulers, or oddball old Chevrolets, there may be something here worth chasing.
Whatizit? It’s a Grumman bodied Chevy C30 tractor and gooseneck trailer setup Frito Lay and other vendors used. This ambitious person took it one step further, and I believe added the rear portion. Gallons per mile when pulling something, something to consider today. I don’t see a practical use for this.
12V Cummins swap? Put the Rat in your race car where it belongs. That would take care of economy issues for the most part & make it a true tow pig. Even at half the ask tho, still a lot scratch & time taking it to the next level. You really gotta want the image this exudes.
I get the appeal tho, good room & a body that will last millenia if you keep the frame from rotting out under it.
Be curious what coefficient they obtained from the wind tunnel testing.
I’ve heard of guys doing this. A Grumman van will definitely have the room up front for whoever drives and rides in it.
The engine access is going to be a challenge. I worked on a few of them, mostly six cylinders, but some small V8s. Never a Rat Motor. I guess you could find some RVs that were far worse to access the engine to; those GMC FWD RVs with the Toronado frontends were certainly no picnic. Hopefully, you won’t need to access it all that often.
Overall, I like it…
Being a bit of an odd ball myself, I like odd balls as long as they are built right. Slowly working on my Fireville, which mated a Firebird and a Bonneville together…
Wild mix Rogue1, care to share more details, what years involved etc…
This thing is all over… It’s like the offspring of a Chevy P30, a motorhome, a Chevy C30 and a western hauler flatbed. I admire a person for daily driving this.
Not sure I like this. never saw a delivery van with swing out doors, windows that don’t open and how do you reach the door latch behind the seat? Nice idea, but I think I’ll pass.
Good catch on the non-opening windows Jim. Lots of fun at a toll booth! (Too tall for the drive up window at Taco Bell!) At least you don’t have to listen to the sliding door rattle while transversing our nation’s highways. I’m surprised that the back seat area isn’t a sleeper/bed. A little longer on the “cab” could have been bunk beds and an RV toilet and wash basin. THEN, it would make a decent racecar hauler destined to only be used on weekends (or long weekends) in the summer time.
A new swamp cooler? Best joke I’ve heard today!
It looks like it was done well originally. But has seen better days in it’s current form. I would hope that the exterior sun shade has relief holes/slots otherwise top speed is going to suffer terribly. I notice that there is no mention of fuel tank capacity. I think the standard Grumman tank was 30 gallons IIRC. That should at least get you down the road 150 miles. (lol) I thought about doing something similar with a full size “normal” van. But my body skills are not the greatest. Generally, enough engine covers remove to make engine access tolerable. But who knows what has been modified. I’ll stick with my GMC 2500 crew cab 8.1 gas with the Allison transmission thank you.
I’ve got a van like this out back with a new 454. I was going to make it into a welding truck but didn’t need it. Never thought about a puller, but then I have a Duramax so don’t really need one.
The old C.E. McCall song comes to mind…”Her shaft is bent and her rear end leaks, you can fix her quick with an oily rag. Use a nail as a starter; I lost the key. Don’t pay no mind to that whirrin’ sound. She use a little oil, but outside a’ that, she’s cherry.”
I agree it appears to be a Frito-Lay Grumman with the cab extended. No thanks.
“Classified” is the name of the song. Great tune, love C.W. McCall.
My Nephew has a one ton ‘73 Chevalier truck. Powered by a 350 Chev. It was originally a 5th wheel puller for Frito Lay. The door windows slide to partially open. It currently has a 16’ stake bed on it. It drives surprisingly well, if you can ignore the rattles and wind noise.
I thought that I had seen one before with a matching trailer. I didn’t remember where. Thanks for the brain refresh!
This truck is interesting. I don’t know if it is just my attention deficit, but I had to read the text a few times before checking the ad, then the seller’s words didn’t help much. This is on Craigslist rather than Facebook so we can expand the photos if we have a computer screen. That helps. I do like the light blue with stripes, but I envision the truck cleaned outside and in alongside a babbling brook with some trees in the sunshine. But we don’t have that! Just envision. What is with the exhaust stacks up the back of the cab, but also dual exhaust out the back underneath? Interesting. He’s moving, so hurry.
Quad exhaust? (lol) I kind of like it just because it’s different. Although I can think of things to make it better aerodynamicly. Centurion made 5th wheel haulers out of 1 ton Econoline “cut-a-way” vans. With back seats and/or you could get a sleeper. Those cab chassis/cut-a-ways are available with a diesel or V10 gas engine. (The Savana/Express was also available with the DuraMax engine but not with the Allison transmission. )