How Many '68 swb with 396 BBC Made?

[Snowbound]

Gents,

Does anybody have production data for 1968 Chevy C-10 short wide with 396 option?

I found one locally and need to decide if the price is too high. I know it will be fairly rare, but just how rare are we talking?

It is missing the engine, trans, seat, has a '69/70 front clip, bottom of cab is rotten like usual, box is solid. Has a 12 bolt (thought all BBC trucks had a Dana 60?)

He is asking $3000, but that seems high to me. By the time I find a drive train, front clip, fix the rust, etc, I'd be in it for well north of $6k before paint, disc brakes or any other mods.

Your advise and opinions are always welcome!

Thanks,
Brian

[Andrij]

That sounds bogus, as far as I have seen for 1968 the 327 was the top option, as soon as I find the files I'll post it. But looking at two brochures from 1968 they say you could get options from 155 hp to 310 hp. Does a 396 make 310 hp? Also it should be listed on the glovebox sticker along with the VIN for all options included with the truck. (& the VIN will include important info as well)
I'm just saying he's pulling your leg & for it I'd offer like $1000 until he can provide proof that YOU can verify. It's the high low game, (& everyone likes a SWB frame, but personally I could care less if it's numbers matching since there are so many great things out today like Disc Breaks!!! Alternators with Internal Regulators, Oh My!!!!)

[Snowbound]

It is on the sticker in the glove box. Saw the truck in person yesterday. I've seen more than one of these over the years, but this is the first SWB I've found. Not many SWB's around in Canada, as they were mostly bought as farming rigs.

I think they were rated at 325 hp.

Thanks,
Brian

[PanelDeland]

If the engine is gone then it will never be a #'s matching truck.To someone looking for a full on resto it's useless.Sounds like it needs enough that it would be a Mutt by the time you got it back together.So $3000 is way out there to me for a truck that will need all paint and body,all running gear and whatever suspension parts are shot.I actually think the $1000 quoted above is a bit high but I don't live up north ehhey.That said,some parts may be rare(engine towers etc) but if the engines not there it's a shell not a Big block truck.

[Lee H]

As said, born with but missing is useless, no value, in fact it should be discounted as potential value has been destroyed.
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[dan42]

Yeah, IMO, something like that is only worth it if all the parts are there in restorable condition. You can find glovebox doors all day long with those options listed on them. Sounds like a parts truck to me.
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[SS Tim]

Put your money back in your pocket and keep "Looking for a 50th"!

[too much stuff]

Yes the 396 was available in 68 (first year in a pickup) and a 12 bolt would be correct for a 1/2 ton. I am sure there were not alot of big block, short beds made in 68, but if all the good pieces are gone it doesn't really matter. If the frame and box are good and there is a title and the rest of the sheet metal isn't bad, maybe $800-$1200. Pics would help...

[Already Gone]

In my opinion before you pay 3000.00 for nothing, keep looking and wait until you find a complete running truck and even if you have to pay 7,8 or 10k for it you will be better off because by the time you got this truck to a decent level you'd have more than 10k in it.Try Craigslist in California for a shortbox, as ther eseems to be lots of them for sale down there. There was a 70 swb listed within the last month for 3800.00. It was a small block but you could jump in and drive it home. Take it from an old guy be patient and you will find what you want.

[dubds10]

A couple shortbox no engine/tranny is worth $1000-1500 up here in BC. Running driving SWB project needing work is $3000-4000 minimum here in BC.

Doesn't matter if it WAS a rare truck..it isnt rare anymore since it's been stripped. So it's only worth the same as a regular truck now.

Nate

[special-K]

I owned a '68 CST SWB 396. There weren't very many and put back to original it will have high potential value. More than any other '68 anyone can "put together",at least to a true collector. $6,000 isn't much to spend to have a truck like that put back together. $3k sounds like a lot,but I feel it leaves wiggle room. You can't compare any other short bed in the same condition. Naturally,I'd do all I could to get the price down a bit. But,if I had money to complete a truck like that it wouldn't matter if I started out paying less. It's what's ahead that will add up. Trucks don't have matching numbers like the muscle cars. The engine number just has to be for a '68 396 truck and will likely be correct for some cars,too. For instance,I have a 327 out of a '68 truck. It is the same block casting number as a Z/28 302 and an SS350/350hp Camaro.

[Snowbound]

Special K,

Did the truck blocks have the VIN stamped on the deck like the cars had?

The guy has the original engine and trans ( I have not checked the numbers ), but he had it rebuilt and installed into his other truck and has a propane conversion. He is not too willing to remove the engine and sell with the '68, unfortunately.

I agree with you on the value as a completed project. It's like buying a basket case SS-396 Chevelle vs. a regular Malibu with a 307.

Strange thing with this truck, is it has almost no options except the BBC.

Thanks for all the insight.

Brian

[special-K]

No VINs on the truck engines. If the casting number comes through as a '68 truck there is no way of knowing if it was original to the truck.
There's some unique stuff like this truck. The one I had was one of two ordered by brothers. Both were the same: CST Fleetsides,red w/white top,396/3spd manual/4.10/posi,manual steering/brakes,tach,gauges,buckets,and they both went out and swapped M21s in. They were into drag racing and would race the trucks when the cars were down. When their cars were running the trucks were the tow vehicle.

[Ackattack]

I bought my 68 swb in similar condition for $1400 or $1600 (can't remember....bought it in '07). I think it was a fair deal overall.

The cab was crap, no hood or grill. It did come with disk front, 5 lug 12 bolt, plus an extra rearend, extra front 5 lug suspension, extra set of front fenders. I believe it was a BBC truck originally since it had a high hump, but I didn't care since I knew I was putting in an LSx when I bought it

[lmn]

I know this is an old post, but does anyone know how many bbc shorty's were made? Mine is a numbers, 2wd short box fleetside, 396 th400, dana 60 rear, with ac and tach. I have the build sheet for it, was a Arizona fire dept truck, I know its rare, but was wondering production numbers.

I also knew of a 68 Suburban, 4x4, 396 4spd, was wondering if anyone knew the production numbers of it.

[ryanv70c10]

IMO it's worth no more than a 6 cyl truck without the engine in it. It's not like its a Z16 Chevelle...

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by lmn

I know this is an old post, but does anyone know how many bbc shorty's were made? Mine is a numbers, 2wd short box fleetside, 396 th400, dana 60 rear, with ac and tach. I have the build sheet for it, was a Arizona fire dept truck, I know its rare, but was wondering production numbers.

I also knew of a 68 Suburban, 4x4, 396 4spd, was wondering if anyone knew the production numbers of it.

this is the best info you'll find on production numbers:
http://outintheshop.com/prodnum.html

just a guess, but i would be comfortable saying less than 1% of 68 shortbeds were big block, so no more than 500 and probably less than that. i've seen about 6 of them in the 10 years i've been heavily into 67-72's.

i'd love to see pictures of your truck and spid. mine someone converted to 5-lug, so it has a 12-bolt, but i've heard the bbc half tons had dana 60's, so that's good info.

[lmn]

When I bought mine, about 7 yrs ago the only thing that was changed was 5 lug disc brakes in the frt, radio, carb and wheels, the from what I can tell its stock. Its a driver, has had 1 repaint, its 100% rust free, dent free, still looks good, but time for new paint. Its a custom cab with ac, tach, rear slider. Steel floor box, dana 60 6bolt, th400(was told they didnt come in trucks until 1970, maybe bbc was the exception) its also got the rear sport bumper not sure if that was added. I added tilt, buddy buckets, exhaust, cowl hood and lowered it. And those stainless doors are molded into the bodyline, they are toolboxes that the fire dept used to store stuff.

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by lmn

When I bought mine, about 7 yrs ago the only thing that was changed was 5 lug disc brakes in the frt, radio, carb and wheels, the from what I can tell its stock. Its a driver, has had 1 repaint, its 100% rust free, dent free, still looks good, but time for new paint. Its a custom cab with ac, tach, rear slider. Steel floor box, dana 60 6bolt, th400(was told they didnt come in trucks until 1970, maybe bbc was the exception) its also got the rear sport bumper not sure if that was added. I added tilt, buddy buckets, exhaust, cowl hood and lowered it. And those stainless doors are molded into the bodyline, they are toolboxes that the fire dept used to store stuff.Attachment 1630942

very cool! thanks for sharing. is M28 listed on your spid?

[68Gold/white]

4L47AJ is the 396 option number on my 68 SPID. Mine is a 12 bolt, non posi, w/ 3.07 gears.

I'm an expert at nothing, but have never personally seen anything but a 12 bolt under a 1/2 ton, seen pictures of different rear ends here, that were usually leaf spring rear units.

I kinda wish there was a separate section for Golden anniversary 68's here, even though the only thing about them is the paint. I guess the anniversary gold pickups were built with about any selection of options....

In reference to the OP, that thing is a $500.00 deal...at tops>>>

[too much stuff]

Originally Posted by lmn

I know this is an old post, but does anyone know how many bbc shorty's were made? Mine is a numbers, 2wd short box fleetside, 396 th400, dana 60 rear, with ac and tach. I have the build sheet for it, was a Arizona fire dept truck, I know its rare, but was wondering production numbers.

I also knew of a 68 Suburban, 4x4, 396 4spd, was wondering if anyone knew the production numbers of it.

Do you have any pictures of the build sheet or SPID inside the glove box door?

As far as the suburban, no 4x4s came with a big block in this era.

[lmn]

I dont have a pic of the spid handy, I could take one, as for the burb, I personally seen the 396, it looked stock in the sense of jewelry, it suffered damage to the driverside bad, a bolder fell from a cliff and smashed the driverside, just behind the door. He told me the truck was only 5 or 6 yrs old when that happened and its been parked since. I was given the impression that it was stock and never been touched. Its been 6yrs since I seen it, and I now have a donor burb, if it is a true 396 burb, then I think I will see if its still around, but it could've had a motor swap at 1 time.

[Bigdav160]

In a Suburban you could get a big block in 2WD but not 4WD just like the trucks

[lmn]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

4L47AJ is the 396 option number on my 68 SPID. Mine is a 12 bolt, non posi, w/ 3.07 gears.

I'm an expert at nothing, but have never personally seen anything but a 12 bolt under a 1/2 ton, seen pictures of different rear ends here, that were usually leaf spring rear units.

I kinda wish there was a separate section for Golden anniversary 68's here, even though the only thing about them is the paint. I guess the anniversary gold pickups were built with about any selection of options....

In reference to the OP, that thing is a $500.00 deal...at tops>>>

Now you had got me doubting my comments! When I had my inspection done, they told me I had the dana60 which I thought was weird for a 1/2ton truck, I went and looked and compared pics on the net, the cover looks like a dana60 to me, I do have the trailing arm/rear coil suspension. Tried taking some pic, but it too dark, but I will try to post some tomorrow, I dont know much about rear ends, maybe someone can confirm its a dana60?

[68bowtie]

the 68 396 half tons did have a dana by default if the trans was a 4-spd. that's why i asked about the m28 on the spid. that would verify the dana 60, but then the th400 would not be original. does the trans cover have any holes for shifters? and is it original?