The Cheyenne was a trim package on the popular Silverado pickup in the 1970s. It could be ordered with two or four-wheel drive, and with short or leg-length beds. This 1977 Cheyenne has the distinction of having once been owned by country singer Merle Haggard who had it converted into a camper. The truck is said to have some special touches applied by Merle himself and sports a later vintage V8 engine. Located in Reno, Nevada, this interesting weekend pickup is being offered here on craigslist for a lofty $75,000 which we assume is due to its heritage. Our thanks go to Barn Finder “Mikey P” for bringing this truck to our attention!
Buyers have to determine for themselves if prior ownership should come into play regarding the selling price of a vehicle. For example, we suspect a documented pink Cadillac once owned by Elvis Presley would fetch a premium over what any other pink Cadillac would bring. The seller goes into greater detail about Merle’s ownership and build of this pickup/camper than the attributes of the truck itself.
It appears that this C-10 came into Merle’s life in 1987 and not much is said about the 10 years prior. Merle was friends with the owner of Lobo Camper Mfg. Co. in California, and he had this camper designed and built to his specifications. We’re told the singer sketched out what he wanted the final product to look like and Lobo went to work. When completed, Merle dubbed it “The Camper” and could be seen driving around in it for many years to come (Merle was a California native, born in 1937 and passed away in 2016).
Merle was into the color silver and the factory silver trim of the Cheyenne may have attracted him to it to begin with. The interior of the camper is to Merle’s specs, and it looks to have held up well. Merle also had some upgrades done to the engine, although it has since been replaced with a more modern powerplant (not an LS – sorry, no engine photos provided). It even sports a Cadillac steering wheel and Chevrolet Rally wheels. The tires have maybe 1,000 miles on them.
The physical condition of the truck looks to be good, but not perfect since it was used regularly by Merle and whoever ended up with the truck after him. We’re told it runs great and no mention is made of any work that this truck will require. The seller says there is ample documentation going with the Chevy that should aptly verify its heritage from the time Merle bought it. This presents as a sweet truck and camper, but an apparent premium has been added due to Haggard’s role in it. Is that worth a larger payout in the acquisition?
I hope Merle left $50k in the glove box. That would be worth it.
Just another greedie
person tring too get rich
Wel sed
Agree the approach is greedy but I would do the same thing, don’t think being rich is a bad thing if you have something someone wants and there is an ass for every seat right…..Is he supposed to give it away without seeing if there is ONE rabid Merle Haggard fan out there that would love to have this and pay over market for it? No problem testing the market but yes, price is a bit astronomical. Not saying it is near worth that but don’t damn a guy for trying.
I wouldn’t even consider it, a little to pricey
It’s not greedy if someone agrees to pay that much. It’s simply the free exchange of goods and services for a product, i.e., no one is forcing anyone to pay that much or pay at all.
Well said
As a seller, you can ALWAYS go down, but never up.
Caviot Emptor.
Cheyenne was a trim level on a C/K pickup. It ran from ’71 thru ’82 as one step below the Silverado and earlier Cheyenne Super. It would return again as the entry level trim on the ’88 truck and until the whole model line became a Silverado.
Neat old truck that could have been assembled by anybody’s uncle or grandfather.
I’ll change your flat tire ,Merle..if you don’t get it, Google it
Pure Prairie League
Too much..nice truck everything..little too much but l like it …
Turn me loose, set me free, somewhere in the middle of Montana….
Only one Merle Haggard, and a lot of imitators over the years.
Is there a car owned by Rex Reed or Paul Lynde? I believe anything pink could have been
Love Merle. Sweet look, though I wouldn’t have said I was a silver guy. Camper is nice but definitely only a one person rig the way he’s laid it out. Not surprised if Haggard did give it to this local acquaintance like he said. But unless the fellow has fallen on real hard times, my guess is Merle would be horrified the guy is trying to make a killing off another fan. Maybe a third that price honors the heritage.
Silver Wings…. Ramblin’ Fever
I can hear these songs playing on his Stereo as I drive this truck…..
That’s a lot of money for a car owned by a celebrity. Maybe I should sell Jack Klugman’s old Chevy ranch truck that I have. I would even take half the asking price of Merle”s truck. Nope forget it,I’m not selling.
That’s very cool, loved Jack Klugman!
The way Jack Klugman’s character portrayed himself in the Odd Couple, did you have to do a lot of cleanup and housekeeping when you got it? 😆
Nothing wrong with the truck, but are there enough Merle Haggard super fans who would pay this much for his old camper? Of course, if it sold for what it’s worth as a truck, it probably would be bought by some flipper who’d try to get a ridiculous amount for it anyway, so maybe he’s just testing to see if anyone bites. It’s not like it’s a crime, folks.
Wow, Mike, I truly believe that there are a few people who are taking this listing way to seriously.
No one is saying that the owner should or should not ask what he or she feel it’s worth to them.
It is honestly just a tad bit beyond the pail.
Apologize for the uprising.
And beyond the pale!
Maybe if it were Jon Voight’s LeBaron…
Cool reference to Seinfeld episode 👌
Does Cher still have that GTO?
I think Sonny & Cher had their own custom Barris created Mustangs.
Someone has been off smokin weed with Willie again.
Awesome truck / camper! How much?
Tim, it’s only $75k. You will please notice that I used a small letter “k”.
I may never get the opportunity again to share my only Merle Haggard story, so here goes. I got to see the legendary country musician perform once in 1993 at the Ryman Auditorium, and it’s one of the reasons I believe in divine intervention. An acquaintance in the music biz told me that everyone who’s ever been around Merle wanted to have a drink with him, and he must have had a lot of friends throughout the day because come showtime he began the performance totally motionless standing on stage just holding a guitar, with no singing and no playng, just staring at his band The Strangers going through the motions and looking concerned about their leader, and this was after they performed their instrumental opening set before hand. But after 2 or 3 songs passed with no Merle he just instantaneously snapped right into it and finally ended up putting on one of the best live performances I ever witnessed! As far as the truck here goes, it’s pretty cool this was his, not sure it’s $75k worth of coolness but a fun conversation starter nonetheless. Great write-up Russ, as always.
Nice looking outfit. Not worth anything near 75k. I’m thinking 15k if owned by the Hagg. 8 to 10k just as a camper.
It’s way too much cash for a “Workin’ Man.” And that gives me the blues.
Did ’77s have gas doors? Who’s Merle? Just kidding.
Matthew, he’s a guy that used to hang-out with Willie Nelson. Years ago played a guitar. That’s what I heard anyway. Also heard that he was pretty Kool.
Pancho & Lefty one of my favorite country songs. Even without watching the video, that song is so well written you feel you’re riding across the desert with them, as such as City of New Orleans- Willie’s version.
That’s a 1978 not a 77 I have 2 1977 Chevy trucks
I see a few inconsistencies here, it’s got a 79 or newer bed. The dash is from an 81 or newer. Very nice truck however, I had a 78 that had a similar camper setup, even the cab to camper boot, loved that rig! $75k? Nope!
Those door panels are also from the 80s because of the pull straps and p/w & p/l which weren’t available until the 80s.
Interesting truck and probably one of a kind.
Too bad no pics of the engine.
Glwts.
How do you tell what year the box is? I didn’t think they changed from ’73-’90(?).
Jon wants to know that pw & pl were introduced in ’78.
I loved Merles music, but I very much doubt that this truck brings $75k. Square bodies have risen in value though, and I think a more reasonable price might be around $25k.
i once had a lincoln owned by lincoln but couldnt sell it , it had a big hole in the headrest
When I saw the first picture,I new it was a Lobo canopy.
I had the owner of Lobo ,Jim Collins ,build me one for my
’77 Toyota SR5 longbed.I speced it out,& added things like
a sunroof,& special windows on the sides and rear.
Lobos were extremely well made.Jim told me that someone
stole one from his shop,& it fell off of their truck (it was unsecured).
The only damage was broken glass.
Jim’s son had a really nice custom Chevy C10 show truck
that he used as a dd.Merle came buy one day & made him an offer
he couldn’t refuse.This,to me,seemed a little ironic,as Merle was
doing Ford truck commercials at that time.
Merle was also part owner of the Bridge Bay Resort,just North of Redding.
He lived East of Redding.
Honestly the way to tell the 77 Cheyenne is the only truck that Chevy produced that did not come with a VIN number in the dash it’s on a plate in the glove box
Randy and I had the good luck of re doing the box car at the .museum. I know a great place to park this rig.