Have you noticed that “square” is back? The boxy designs of vehicles from the 1970s and 1980s are once again making a comeback. Just look at the latest Hyundai Santa Fe crossover—even its wheel wells favor straight lines over rounded ones. General Motors had the right idea decades ago, with its square-body Chevrolet and GMC trucks that were produced from 1973 through 1991. This surviving specimen is about as good as they get.
The Pick of the Day is a 1979 Chevrolet C20 Cheyenne 2WD pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Bakersfield, California.
“All original sheet metal,” the seller says. From the description in the listing, the sheet metal might be just about the only thing left that’s original. The Shamrock Green paint is new, the black vinyl bench seat has been reupholstered, and the engine and transmission have both been replaced. It’s somewhat like buying a “new” truck that’s actually 46 years old.
Plentiful power comes from a 454ci big-block V8 mated to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. The odometer shows 60,372 miles, but the listing says there are fewer than 5,000 miles on a replacement engine and transmission. Lots of other maintenance items have also been done, including work to the exhaust system, front suspension, and brakes.
The bed has been coated in Line-X and looks to be in great shape. The underside is also as clean as a whistle, which makes you wonder what kind of life this truck had before it underwent restoration. Surely it wasn’t subjected to heavy-hauling at a farm or construction site, although no doubt it would have been up to any such task.
An overseas magazine ad for the 1979 Chevrolet pickups said, “The Brute’s Loose.” The truck was marketed for being tougher than ever, saying, “The famous ladder-type frame, double wall body construction and massive independent coil spring front suspension are still there, to help carry body/payloads up to 1,562 kg.”
The asking price is $21,000 or best offer, which is quite a bit less than a new full-size Chevy truck will cost you these days. Buy a truck that sets you apart from everyone else at the hardware store! Good thing it’s painted Shamrock Green, because it’s your lucky day.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
