To be past the 50-year-old mark, I’d say this 1968 GMC 1500 truck has beaten the odds as far as the number of people who have called it theirs, as its current caretaker is only owner number two. There are probably pickups in this age range that have had a dozen or more homes, and while this one’s far from perfect the truck does reflect that it’s been shown love over the years. But the time has come to find owner number 3, and if there’s the possibility that could be you it can be found here on Craigslist. The short bed is in Rio Rico, Arizona, with the asking price set at $14,500. We’d like to thank reader Scott Z. for sending in the tip on this one!
We don’t get any information about how long the seller has owned the truck himself, but he does refer to it as a daily driver and says the outside’s got a nice patina. We’re also not told whether or not that’s the original paint, but if not it’s definitely got a lot of age with the finish seeming to fit the pickup’s personality well, and I sort of like the appearance the way it is. Overall the body looks pretty good, with the most obvious flaw being a mishap on the driver’s side fender, but that probably happened years ago. It also had a 4-inch drop.
Inside is where it looks like there may have been some more recent attention. The dash is very sharp looking and in nice shape, with an aftermarket radio of some sort and possibly a Grant steering wheel. We are informed specifically that the carpet is new as is the seat material, although the door panels seem more original and one of the handles is laying on the seat. One other thing the seller mentions as new is the wheels. They sure don’t look that way, but perhaps he means it’s a new set of used wheels. We also catch a glimpse of a second GM truck in the carport, but no mention of that one at all.
There’s a 350 under the hood, although we don’t get a whole lot of details on the small block either such as how well it runs. But it looks orderly in the engine compartment and there’s lots of room in there to work in case something does need maintenance or repair in the future. The transmission is a 4-Speed manual, but the seller is offering to provide a 700R4 automatic as part of the sale in case the buyer wants to convert the pickup to an automatic. I’d probably keep the trans that’s in it now, especially since he says there’s been a new clutch installed, and drive it just the way it is for as long as I could. How about you?
Someone compared the OSCA to a high maintenance woman. If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. At least you won’t get a monthly bill from Macy’s. ……….Jim.
I think you posted in the wrong area.
I’ve done that,,d’oh!
Did you ever wonder why( in my best Andy Rooney voice) why the fenders have no paint, but the hood is fine? Because, children, these were such a PITA years ago, the hood was opened on a daily basis, and leaning over the fenders wore the paint off. True story.
Nice truck, again, basic as heck may catch someone, say under 40 off guard,, grandpa, how could you guys drive such a boring truck like this? The answer, you ungrateful snot, is this was best we had, it represented a thing called work, and you won’t get it out of the driveway,,,sorry, but you can understand why Mr. Rooney was my hero.
This truck, while a great find, just won’t appeal to anyone in the future as it is. I like it, Geomechs ( probably) likes it, get my drift? Older folks. Now if it looked nice and had an automatic, it would be long gone.
Expanding on Howard’s comment, and having worked on may of these at Chevy dealerships over my fifty+ years in the industry; there is no way of telling how many sets of v/c gaskets have been replaced for oil leaks, valve seals, worn out valves valve guides, seats (top end rebuilds), etc. along with other regular maintenance, all of this fender time over the years takes its toll on the paint. Considering it’s in Arizona with no A/C and I’m no better off out here in California, this truck would be a “NO for me, dawg” (as Randy Jackson would say).
The difference being you could actual change things like the V/C gaskets in under an hour , it would cost you 20 bucks in parts. Now you cant even see under the hood of new trucks as they are as high a dump truck, the engine is buried under a mass of plastic, pipes and wires and taking it to a garage to change the gaskets ( RTV) will run you $500.00 minimum
Most cars and truck will seldom if ever need to have the ralve covers resealed. The manufactures finally learned how to seal them properly.
That’s my kind of truck, fine just the way it is. Just too much 💰!
Cool truck and patina.I’d leave it as is.Only thing I don’t like is the 4″ drop.Trucks like this are utilitarian and meant to be used not slammed like a little foreign car imo. Kills the whole look of the truck.
I am on a roll with another B/F in my area. I like everything about it, except the price. Welcome to the real world , if you want a C–10. If you do the math and you check the price of a high end C-10 Sport Truck , they start near 40 K and go into 6 figures if you want the best of the best. So jump in at almost 15 K and spend 20 K more and you are at the number , a very nice C-10 will cost. You have to pay to play.
Market price. nice truck
Barn door Suburban in the back is the second vehicle.
The sub has been lowered also. Ugh!
I like these trucks having owned a 69 model years ago, but the patina on this one is not natural it’s man made, which to me ruins the entire effect. Sand paper has its uses but not for the ruining of the paint. For me it would need a bright color paint job, perhaps in two tone white over gold. This could be a very nice truck to show and drive.
God Bless America
I have a similar condition truck with original paint ’66 though. The Patina looks original with the exception of the tailgate. Probably a replacement.
Was originally a 3 speed truck, probably a 6 or 307. Has a 69-72 front bumper, & a 71-72 or aftermarket tailgate. 68 models have a one year only gate on them & it’s not reproduced. I have an original 68 GMC shortbed, light blue with white top that came from the local dealership, it was their service truck till the mid 90’s, & then set behind the dealership till I purchased it in 2012. Technically, I’m am the first owner as it was never titled & still had an expired dealer tag on when I bought it.
Mine is a 1968, 2nd owner, my father-in-law bought it brand new in 1968. It has the 327 engine with the 400 transmission. It has 89000 miles on it.The box length looks the same but mine is called a long box. Am I reading something that I do not see> Any help?
@Duffy, it’s often difficult to judge the length of the box in photos from some angles. This is a shortbed or SWB, easy to identify if you look for the stake holes in the top of the bedsides. Short beds only have them in the front and rear and LWB (longbeds) have a middle set. This is the easy way to see if a shortbed has been converted from a longbed as well, which is a thriving business these days.
i thought at first glance of the pic it was a long bed too. It’s kinda like an optical illusion.Look at the cab length and then look at the inside of the bed on the left side. It;s a short bed.
James is correct, nice truck, give it good inspection, price is fair, these are still bringing good money, get for $14k, add a/c, couple of details and ask $20k.
Nice truck but I think it’s a 69.
No, it’s a 68. The 69-72 models used the square nose hood. But the dead giveaway is the parking brake handle. 1969 & later models used the foot brake, 68 & earlier used the pull handle.