Eff it, I’m calling this Tuesday Shopper now, because I can never get the research done to do it on Monday. There’s kind of a lull in big auctions this time of year, so we looked all the way back to February for today’s super-cool sale for not a lot of dough. Last week it was a big Ford, this week it’s a big Chebby, an awesome 1973 Chevrolet C20 Camper Special that McCormick sold at its Palm Springs auction.
I will admit my bias in thinking that the 1973 to 1987 Chevy pickup is the finest truck ever built. They would work until the cows came home, yet they were surprisingly pleasant to drive. I think I’ve driven every possible iteration of these trucks, from two-wheel drive C10s all the way up to Truck 3, the 454, four-speed one-ton dump truck I drove when I worked for the Town of Ogunquit Highway Department for five summers during college.
They have been nothing but great trucks, with the exception of their Achilles heel: Rust. Even in dry climates, these trucks would rust from the inside out, thanks to a lot of nooks and crannies for dirt to accumulate, and the fact that GM sprayed about four ounces of primer and paint on them as they rolled down the assembly line.
So when you’re from New England and you find one that isn’t full of holes you can put a fist through, it’s time for celebration. This one sold at the McCormick Palm Springs Classic Car auction. McCormick is a nice auction, but it’s typically about 73 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLs and not a whole lot else. It was a surprise to see this truck in the results page.
With the exception of four-wheel drive, which you aren’t going to need if you live anywhere near Palm Springs, this truck had a lot of option boxes checked off on the order guide: A/C, tilt wheel, a full gauge package. It’s a Cheyenne at least, judging by the trim you can see in the photos. The wheel well trim suggests it might be a Cheyenne Super, but I don’t see the emblems.
It’s a 350 with an automatic. I’ve owned two C20s before, both with four-speeds, and the only way I’d own another 3/4-ton truck is with an automatic.
It’s also a Camper Special, which was designed to carry the popular slide-in campers of the era, although it doesn’t look like one ever made it in. The Camper Special consisted of a camper body wiring harness, heavy duty front and rear springs, heavy duty front and rear shock absorbers, heavy duty front stabilizer bar, and a Camper Special name plate.
This truck is showing just over 88,000 original miles and nothing about its condition suggests that isn’t correct. The final sale price was $8,925, which isn’t exactly a steal, but remember I’m coming at it from the East Coast. By the time I get wrapped up with my Blazer, I’ll be in it for somewhere close to that, and I’ll never have a truck even remotely as nice as this one.
What’s your call? Good deal or no?
I want it! That is one gorgeous truck, the only thing I would change would swap in a big block with aftermarket EFI!
It isn’t a spectacular deal because those trucks aren’t usually worth anything, but its also not a bad deal considering how well optioned it is and how mint it is. I’d say its about “just right” for it.
Usually I don’t like those trucks all that much, but this one has me for some reason. The unique and understated color combo and the interior that actually looks good enough to use have got me.
These trucks should be picked up now..if there is a 70ies classic,this is one of them..and especially when it is in this condition.
I wouldn’t touch it for half that price. But then again I had a very bad experience with a 76 Chevy 3/4 ton. I was always fixing something on that truck. Hated it.
My pop bought his first new truck in ’73. 3/4 ton, 350, 4 speed, PS/PB. Paid $3100 cash for it. Not the camper special but did have the heavy duty suspension. In those days you still had to have tags on both sides listing the weight and carrying capacity and I remember well the listing on those; Weight 4400 lbs. Capacity 3650 lbs.Those were the FACTORY numbers, not something he pulled out of thin air. Riding in the truck without the camper in it, was like riding the rigid frame chopper I got the next year. I still have callouses on my ass from one or both.
I had one these 15 years ago it was a beast! mine was originally a 454
T/H 400 truck but someone had swapped it in the 80’s to a 305 to get better gas mileage when the 305 gave up I swapped in a 400 out of a caprice and it was a night and day difference I would love to have it back
Needs a Toyota V8, for sure.
to geo815—WHAT??
GM hater that I am, this thing strikes at a primal truck-lover’s nerve that’s got me wanting to own it, even with the over-stiffened suspension.
That one is a lot cleaner than my 80 C20…mine was dirt cheap, and has no rust either. They do ride a lot better with a ton and a half of something in the bed.
Seems to me that the 350 would be a little small for the towing and full camper that this truck was designed for. Mainly in the torque dept.
It looks very nice, I have a 85′ C20 3/4 8500GVW that is as clean as this. At just a tick over 125,000 it is a rust free original AZ truck. Built 383 and 4 gear I have no complaints!
Great Trucks and this one looks really cool.
I have a 79 Silverado, I’m the second owner and have had it for 17 years.
Its got a 400 sbc, turbo 400 with a gearvendors o/d – and I love it.
It will carry and tow almost anything.
I wouldn’t even think about selling it – its like family. LOL
Hello dude, if u still have the truck I’m interested in buying it. Contact me 541-908-4842