Classic truck television commercials are some of our favorite things around here. From the wacky stunts that they had the trucks perform to the claims that were made in the ads, there’s entertainment and fun in every single one of them. Here we have a 1972 Chevy C20 hooked up to and pulling a near half-million pound 747 airplane.
First, the truck. This thing is 100% BangShift approved. The iconic two tone orange and white paint job, the high riding stance of a period four wheel drive, the white steel wheels, and the general vibe of the rig are literally perfect. The ad says that the truck has a 350ci engine and a Turbohydramatic transmission. We’re guessing that’s a Turbo 400 for the purposes of this demonstration. They also mention that the truck is loaded with its maximum 7500lb payload capacity. Call us crazy but we have never seen a truck loaded capacity that doesn’t droop even a little. Have you? We’re wondering what gear ratios arena the axles as well. Not hating, just raising a couple of questions!
This is a fun watch and if we could have Santa leave us one thing tonight, this 1972 Chevy C20 would be it (but with a big block and a four speed).
I was selling Dodge trucks when they had an ad with them pulling trains, and those trucks were stock. Given that 4.56’s were an available option, I’d be willing to bet that truck had those gears and a different from stock converter, and that’s probably it. The converter for an auto LT-1, 4.56 gears, and the transfer case in low range, would give you a tremendous amount of torque multiplication. Plus, on the short overhead shot, you can see something in the bed. The truck weighed about 4500 lbs, and that would be about 3000 lbs of steel if it was a foot thick. Having it at the front of the bed keeps the weight nicely distributed.
No transfer case, it’s a “C” – two wheel drive. And 7500 lb payload capacity?! That seems about more than double what that truck could hold.
4wd – look at the front hubs. The 7,500lb figure is gross.
Does look like locking hubs. But that makes is K20, not a C.