Original 454: 1986 Chevrolet C20 Crew Cab

Tow vehicles. They serve a specific purpose, and sometimes they can be quite agricultural. That’s what makes this 1968 Chevrolet C20 Crew Cab a reasonable proposition. It features a big-block V8 that should provide plenty of towing muscle. It also provides seating for six and enough creature comforts to make life on the road a pleasant experience. Barn Finder Larry D spotted the C20 for us, so thank you so much for that, Larry. It is located in Eureka, Montana, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. You can park it in your driveway for $8,500, but the owner will consider offers.

There’s no mistaking that the Frost White C20 has had to work for a living. The paint wears plenty of chips and scratches, and this theme continues when you take a look at the bed. The original owner has sprayed the nose of the pickup with Rhino Linings, which doesn’t look great. This could be removed if the buyer chooses to treat the Chevy to a repaint. With that thought in mind, the panels are surprisingly straight, with only a few small dings and blemishes. The exception is the tailgate. It is damaged, but a good replacement is included in the sale. Rust is always a consideration, but it isn’t a big issue in this case. The panels look clean, with only a small spot developing in one cab corner. When you add that all together, the Crew Cab needs little more than a simple repaint to present at its best once again. The trim and chrome seem to be in good order, but the hubcaps that the vehicle wears don’t go with it. It sounds like the buyer will need to source replacements or shell out the money for some different wheels. The C20 was ordered with tinted glass, and I can’t spot any problems with that. The original owner used the C20 to tow a camper, which explains the tow hitch on the back. However, there is no evidence that it has ever had a gooseneck or a fifth-wheel fitted, so it hasn’t worked that hard.

The original owner wanted a vehicle that could tow effortlessly, so he ordered the C20 with the 454ci V8. This big-block is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission, while the pickup also comes equipped with a Posi rear end, power steering, and power brakes. By the mid-1980s, manufacturers were beginning to claw back some of the lost performance in these monster motors, and this one should be pumping out 230hp. However, it is the 360 ft/lbs of torque that would make this such an accomplished workhorse. That camper must have seemed as light as a feather behind this beast, and it appears that the story remains that way today. The owner says that the big-block starts easily and that it runs perfectly. There is no evidence of smoke or rattles, and it sounds nice breathing through its dual exhaust. It is said to drive well, but there are a couple of minor issues to address. The front tires are about done, but there is evidence that they have abnormal wear. It would pay to have the front end checked and aligned before new tires are fitted.

Just because you might need to tow a heavy load, there’s no reason to do so in discomfort. The C20’s interior isn’t perfect, but it sure looks comfortable. The original owner must have been a fan of Rhino Linings because the floors have been coated in it. Still, that’s nothing that couldn’t be hidden with carpet or rubber mats if the buyer wants to give the interior a lift. The covers on both seats have tears, but around $500 will secure replacements in the correct materials and colors. The dash pad is also cracked, and a replacement will cost the buyer $400. The rest of the issues revolve around cleaning and replacing some minor trim pieces, but the new carpet, seat covers, and dash pad would have the interior looking pretty sweet. The interior is also nicely equipped and comes with ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, a CB radio, cruise, and a tilt wheel.

Tow vehicle or shop truck? Both of these options are viable alternatives for this 1986 C20 Crew Cab. It seems to be in sound mechanical health, and whipping its appearance into shape will not cost a fortune. If you are feeling adventurous, you could go out and buy a new Crew Cab pickup, and it is a vehicle that would serve you well. However, you will have lightened your wallet by around $50,000 in the process. That’s a lot of money to throw away and is a significant decision to make. If you bought this C20 and addressed all of its issues, you will have probably spent around 25% of that total. Even if you only kept it for a couple of years and then sold it, the depreciation would be nothing like the level you would experience with the new Crew Cab. That’s why vehicles like this make sound financial sense, and that’s why they are worth looking at closely before you sign your life away on something new. I always advise caution with classics, but this one could be worth doing your homework on.