Intended purpose of our trucks

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

The original owner of my truck thought it was intended for a fifth wheel, a camper, a step bumper for towing, camper mirrors, saddle tanks and even a boat launching hitch to jack up the front bumper.

Silly sally, it's a c10 short bed.

[CastIron]

I generally use mine when I need to haul something. I don't keep it at my house, so driving it for anything else is inconvenient. Here it is ready to haul some lumber.

[Foureye71]

My 4x4 swb is my daily driver and is my first truck. It gets used to do just about anything but towing, I think the tired 327 and the 3.08 open diff would have some difficulty trying to persuade a loaded trailer to move

[Grumpy old man]

Purely entertainment ,Cruising purposes only . A 67 short bed isn't going to haul a lot of anything .

[Ken B]

When I was looking to purchase another truck last summer its intended purpose was to haul fire wood to feed my wood stove. My original intent was to simply find a truck that was road worthy. My search led me to this one owner 89,000 mile 1970 Longhorn. This original paint truck is actually much nicer than I was looking for but I couldn't pass it up. With a 350, a 4 speed and 4.10's it can do plenty of hauling. I do haul fire wood with it but I don't push the envelope ever and I'm extremely careful not to cause any damage. I also haul my tractors to the tractor shows with it. I drive it almost everyday, like Sicklajoie my truck is an April thru October truck only, in fact it has never in its life been driven beyond October. Also like Sicklajoie, I do take my truck to some of the local shows and she does get some respect. In fact he took this picture at one of the shows where we first met.

[special-K]

You can't knock someone for whatever way they chose to use their truck today when they are decades past what the general age-span of practical use as a daily vehicle. What's so great about these, and one thing I love bout them, is you actually still can work one daily in spite of their age. Now back in the early to mid '70s the way so many use their trucks now would have been considered used as a sissy truck. The only pampered ones (there were few exceptions) back then and into the '80s were the campers/camper haulers. That is why I focused on Custom Campers once i started buying these to baby, preserve, or even put to work. By the end of the '80s I had a '71 Custom Camper/20 (Cheyenne) with matching slide-in for the family RV, a '70 Custom Camper/30 (CST) 157" cab & chassis (former Winnebago) I installed a new Reading low-profile utility body for a work truck, and a '72 Custom Camper K/20 (Cheyenne Super) for my nice 4wd toy. I got that because I had a fleet of three 70-71 K/20s dedicated for work and wanted one nice one. I also had a '71 Custom Deluxe/10 Suburban (former camper tow vehicle) for the family wagon, and a '68 CST/10 396 SWB for the nice 2wd toy. The very nature of a truck, vs cars, is multi-use from utility to passenger. They didn't make short little 1/2t pickups with big blocks, bucket seats, tilt, A/C, posi rear to be work trucks, but you could haul/tow with one if you wanted to. That's why I fell for trucks. Trucks can do what cars can do but cars can't do what trucks can do. And, I'm the kind of guy who doesn't like to be caught ill prepared if I can avoid it. I don't wear shoes I can't run in (well, flip-flops. But they're not shoes) or step off the pavement with, clothes too good to tear into whatever in, I'll always own a hammer/ladder/wheelbarrow, Always have a knife, keep gloves/jacket/first-aid kit/good flashlight in truck (roll of TP in old coffee can ), etc. Trucks fit my creedo/lifestyle. And even in a show truck, I can be handy in a pinch. When I need less than a truck I ride my Harley. Cars are alright, but I don't need one. I've had some really nice ones, but haven't owned any for 20 or more years. My X bought a '96 Cavalier to save gas going to work, still had the '90 Blazer we bought for the family car, but by '99 we got rid of it to buy a ZR2 ext-cab. People who tell me my short bed is a worthless truck because it won't even haul a sheet of plywood with the tailgate up get to hear, "That's when I use my K/20. That short bed is my car".

[flashed]

Mine still works and plays but mostly it makes me happy.

[68Stepbed]

Mine was a daily driver for the better part of 6 years. It started off as a 6 cyl/3OTT with a fresh "car lot" paint job. Over the years, it got a 350 crate engine, TH350, disc brake conversion from a 72, and other mild upgrades.



In 2007, it was painted and restomodded and transformed into almost a show only truck.




A few years into car showing, I started getting bored with shows, and started getting into autocrossing. So now, it still gets driven alot, autocrossed occasionally, and hasn't been to an actual show in over 4 years. So, I mainly just show off in it, now. LOL

[special-K]

^^^ I've enjoyed watching your truck evolve. Now let's see a shot on 129!

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by special-K

^^^ I've enjoyed watching your truck evolve. Now let's see a shot on 129!

Ask and ye shall receive, sir! I need to go again with the new wheels.

[toolboxchev]

To Drive and stay off the internet!

[i82much]

I use my 72 K10 for light hauling, drive it to work a few days per week, that sort of thing. But my absolute favorite is taking it hunting every fall in north Idaho. There is something about waking up on a cold mountain morning in a campsite, getting in that old Chevy and firing it up to head out into the wilderness. Long, lonesome fire roads, truck is in 4 LO, it just feels right.

[YBNORML]

Different trucks have different uses.

crewcab is a 12month DD. And work truck.
72' 2wd Blazer is used for pure enjoyment.
67' shortbox is shop art.

[YBNORML]

And the crew working.

[rsmarr1982]

I think the true purpose of these or any trucks is to be driven . How hard you work or don't work it with a payload is your choice. I've seen 2 year old construction company trucks look like they have been to a demolition derby. I've never understood letting a truck or car just sit. It's like not have having sex with your girlfriend because your saving her for the next guy.

[ck5566]

My truck will never be a Trophy Truck just a truck to do what I need done that day what ever that is. Also it was bought for to chase the Arthritis away from settling in my bones. It probably will always take the looks of a Rat Rod but the drive train, suspension, braking & steering areas will be brand new or reconditioned as much as it can be. Interior will be complete and comfortable.
Get in it and drive it, slip the tires a little, lean into a curve a little and last of all keep all four tires on the ground and if you have a passenger let them manage the Cell Phone.

[special-K]

One thing's for sure, I don't think there has ever been a motor vehicle out there built with the intention of being a show vehicle. Not even the six figure Pebble Beach wonders of the world.

This was the intended purpose of the '71 Custom Camper I had. Play not work. I'm not one to break rules (), so I obliged accordingly. I did run it with the tonneau as a cruise-about between excursions and even clamped the ladder rack on and worked it when my main worker was down. That is what is so great about trucks, they are multi-use. I think that's why they outsell cars these days. The general population finally "gets it". There used to be a stigma among white collars about being seen in a truck. Now they are taken to the office.

Edisto Is, SC:

Gast Classic Car Museum Lancaster Co, PA:

Near NM/CO border:

Hatteras-Ocrakoke Is. ferry NC:

Car Museum Ocean City, MD:

[hamjet]

I guess there are a lot of intended purposes depending on the person. some have two or more so they can cover all bases, some have one like me. my first one a few years back was just driven in fair weather, shows and was too nervous to park in public parking lots because of the very nice paint job. I was always waiting for an opportunity to get to drive it, but found one that already had the scars of 40 some odd years. Thats my kind of truck. I drive it every day, any where, and don't worry about a few more scars IF it happens. I work the heck out of it since its my only truck. I changed engine and transmission for a different appeal. I still get the compliments I got with the other truck, and they all enjoy the engine when I open the hood. (some never heard of one), Use them for what ever your flavor is and enjoy the heck out of it....

[i82much]

I let my 2 year old beat on the bumper of my 72 K10 with a hammer for awhile last night, he was happier than a pig in slop.

I wouldn't let him beat on my 65 GTO with a hammer ...

I really like having something just nice enough to look decent but not so nice you worry about it. I'll fuss over the GTO with a detailing brush and then 10 minutes later I'll back the K10 into a tree if I feel like it.

[factorystock]

The original owners of these trucks who bought brand "NEW" set the tone for its intended purpose. Model type, trim level, color and options were contoured to their needs, and budget, not the needs and budget of future owners. Many pickups were bought for recreation, a hobby transporter, or commuting, never intended to be used for hard work. Some where bought strictly for delivery, trade work or agriculture work and they were intended for making money for there business. So, its really up to the owner to use their pickup for any purpose they see fit and not worry society's pre conceived notions about a "truck".

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

To Drive and stay off the internet!

^^This guy wins!!!

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by factorystock

The original owners of these trucks who bought brand "NEW" set the tone for its intended purpose. Model type, trim level, color and options were contoured to their needs, and budget, not the needs and budget of future owners. Many pickups were bought for recreation, a hobby transporter, or commuting, never intended to be used for hard work. Some where bought strictly for delivery, trade work or agriculture work and they were intended for making money for there business. So, its really up to the owner to use their pickup for any purpose they see fit and not worry society's pre conceived notions about a "truck".

The perfect answer! These trucks are so versatile its crazy. Its amazing how they can still be so many things to so many different people, even after 45-50 yrs. Who cares what people want to use them for, as long as they keep using them.

[special-K]

Right! The very nature of a truck is versatility. Chevrolet started out making cars. Light trucks came later after seeing the need for more diversity (nothing to do with race...heh heh), which was shown by people using cars for more than their intended purpose by retro fitting beds to the trunk area.

Look at 67-72 light trucks. They came as K/5s, 1/2t & 3/4t Panels, Suburbans, wide or narrow bed pickups, cab & chassis, cowl & chassis in 2wd or 4wd, 1t pickup (wide/narrow bed), cab & chassis, cowl & chassis. Then ad the Silver Book and you find 4wd 1ts available as well as about any upfit you can imagine.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by factorystock

Many pickups were bought for recreation, a hobby transporter, or commuting, never intended to be used for hard work. .

Take it from me, or the head honcho running GMC Truck and Coach, Mr. Stelter.

[71cheyennesuperlongb]

The last thing I hauled in my old truck was my friends 400 block back home from machine shop hell. Before I retired I drove it 3 days a week 45 miles one way to work.At least one day a week I would put my foot in it just to keep the carbon away! The only thing it hauls much is me to the auto parts store.