Glamour Series?

[70cst]

I just watched a series on Counting Cars and they we’re working on a71 Step Side - Danny went on to say the 67-72 Chevy Trucks were known as the Glamour Series ..
I thought the 67-72 Truck’s we’re known as the Custom Sport Series.

Ok .. which is correct?

[HO455]

I don’t believe "Glamor series" was ever an official marketing slogan. I understand it was a somewhat derogatory tag used by the other truck manufacturers.

[special-K]

Glamour Series may be one of the slogans from the marketing department, but we never ever called these trucks The Glamour Series and I never ever heard them called that. There were other slogans used through 67-72, beginning with "The New Breed". I know in '70 they were marketed as "The Movers". There was no one name used for these trucks the way they name trucks these days. Us truck guys just called them what they are, the year/make/and series. With the extreme popularity, many new authorities on these trucks are coming out of the woodwork. I'd enjoy reading their articles if maybe they would get information from an actual expert experienced in these trucks. They are out there.

[Sheepdip]

67-72 Trucks became instantly collectible in September of 73 IMHO. So yes, they are still Glamourous!

[sloGMC]

I believe "Glamour Series" is GMC's internal name, much like Chevrolet used "Action Line" for 67-72.

[toms68cst]

I don't think any single nickname for our series of truck has really stuck. Several have been floated out. Myself, I like "Sport Truck" series.

-The CST trim option of course was available through most of the years.

-First time a BB became available was in our series.

-The 67 was designed by a noted hot rod/custom designer. (Harry Bentley Bradley)

-GM put a lot of effort into the aesthetic design of our series of truck when compared to the Ford and Dodge offering of the time.

-GM started marketing their trucks as a second family vehicle in the early 70's. They also started marketing them as leisure vehicles, not just camper haulers, work or farm vehicles.

[FleetsidePaul]

My truck is a Glamour Series because of all the hot babes I cruise in it with.

[CG]

Its part of the GMC Cruiser campaign

Camper Cruiser

G - Glamour
M - Man
C - Cruiser

Ok, it was a stretch lol

[toms68cst]

I'm sorry, but the 1990's ruined the word Glamour for me.....

(Apologies in advance if this happens to be a board member's mother, wife or daughter)

[dmjlambert]

See, that's what I like about our trucks, there's enough head room in there for all that hair, and room to spare! Hi Mom, you finally made it onto the www.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

See, that's what I like about our trucks, there's enough head room in there for all that hair, and room to spare! Hi Mom, you finally made it onto the www.

You're a good sport!

[toms68cst]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

See, that's what I like about our trucks, there's enough head room in there for all that hair, and room to spare! Hi Mom, you finally made it onto the www.

Love it!

[RichardJ]

Some Web searches produced this:


>>The second generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by both the Chevrolet and GMC divisions from the 1967 to 1972 model years, this generation was given the "Action Line" moniker by General Motors (the first-generation C/K did not receive such a name)<<




>>It’s interesting to note that while we call 73-87 trucks Square Bodies, the styling theme was called “rounded-line” inside the GM design studios.<<

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by toms68cst

I'm sorry, but the 1990's ruined the word Glamour for me.....

(Apologies in advance if this happens to be a board member's mother, wife or daughter)

Hey that's me.

Not really. I just thought it was funny.

I'm better looking.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by 70cst

I just watched a series on Counting Cars and they we’re working on a71 Step Side - Danny went on to say the 67-72 Chevy Trucks were known as the Glamour Series ..
I thought the 67-72 Truck’s we’re known as the Custom Sport Series.

Ok .. which is correct?

While I never heard this line being called ''Glamour Series,'' the Boys in the Ad Shop never lacked for titles for the iconic 67-72 trucks. Frequently they'd coin a slogan and run it up the flagpole to see if it got saluted.
I've heard the ''Action Line,'' and the ''New Breed.'' [The last one got pulled early because at the same time, Playboy Magazine had an ad campaign: ''What kind of Man reads Playboy? ... He's a New Breed of Cat.'' ]

Nothing ever stuck like ''The Task Force'' for MY '55 [2nd series] thru '59, or ''Advance Design'' for '47 - '55 1st series.
Wikipedia says Chevy/GMC trucks made from '60 thru '87 were the C/K Series. No in-house catchphrase for the 1st Gen, '60-'66. MY '67-'72 were the ''Action Line.'' And [ironically] they called '73 - '87 trucks the ''Rounded Line'' -- but the public called them Squarebodies.

If I heard a reality TV host call it that, I'd just think BS.

[sloGMC]

Chevrolet's own "Truck Legends" website currently refers to 67-72s as being dubbed the "Action Line".

[toms68cst]

I think I have a book that refers to the 60-66 as Aircraft inspired line. The 73-87 are now pretty widely known as Square bodies.

I don't mind Action Line for out trucks. It's just not very descriptive or memorable. It might be fun to have a poll. I'm not sure if we've done one here or not on this topic.

['68OrangeSunshine]

I've been driving my '68 C/10 Stepside for 49 years, and I never heard the Series called the 'Action Line' til recently.

[70cst]

This was writtne in 2003 on the same topic...

This was written on a recent post...

1967-1972 CST=Custom Sport Truck Era

I have read various books with this term and I have listed two of my sources to verify that the "Custom Sport Truck" term is correct ...

Chevrolet Pickups 1946-1972
By John Gunnell
Published in 1988
Chapter 6 page 73
"...it seems appropriate to think of these years as the Custom Sport Trucks era."

Chevrolet Pickup RED BOOK
1946-1972
Peter Sessler
Published 1993
Chapter 23 page130
"Collectively, the 1967-72 trucks are known as the "Custom Sport Truck" (CST's) because of there CST option."

As mentioned these are just two of the sources who have named the 67-72 trucks as the Custom Sport Truck era but there are others that also support this terminology. It was either WES or GMCPaul who referenced an great article on these trucks a while back and I believe it was an old Classic Truck piece. Maybe they can dig up that sight but it was a very informative write up on these trucks. This article also called the 67-72 trucks the "Custom Sport Truck" era.

You ask why CST when not all trucks had the CST option? Or better yet was not even an option that was avaliable for some trucks? Simple answer...I think? This was the era (67-72) that one could deck out a their truck with car like options and features plus there was an engine for everybody's taste. You could go for a 6 popper or the brute force of a 402 BB. You want comfort options...Then one could order AC, cruise, tilt, AM/FM radio, tinted glass, buckets seats and so forth. You want chrome...then order chrome bumpers and get the extra shiny trim by ordering the various poackages avaliable. I could go on but I think you get the drift. CST was an new era for the American trucks built in America (Canada included). I hope this helps.

This is what makes these web sights so great. We are always learning something new about these great trucks and help is just a key stroke away.
Regards,
70cst

[70cst]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=49645

Another thread on this subject back in 03.

[70cst]

Motor Trend 2000

The '67-'72 Chevrolet/GMC C/K series of pickups is well on its way to achieving icon status, just as the '55-'57 Chevy passenger cars have. Neither the tri-five Chevys nor the '67-'72 pickups ever became unpopular. They maintained a solid popularity over the years, and that popularity rose steadily throughout the 90s. The demand for nice C/K examples has intensified as the most desirable trucks are quickly snapped up.

The progression of prices and availability has many parallels to the tri-five Chevys. The most deluxe, high-performance examples tend to take off first. As prices for high-demand models rise, so do the prices of less deluxe vehicles. When either the price or the availability raise the bar too high for the average enthusiast, people move on to their second and third choices. In the case of the passenger cars, the convertibles, Nomads, and fuel-injected or dual four-barrel Bel Air hardtops took off first. Then people went after the nicest 210 models, followed by premium 150 models.

With '67-'72 C/K trucks, the fully-loaded, big-block-powered shortbeds lead the price parade. The small-block-equipped versions of loaded trucks quickly followed. Then most people went after plainer shortbed trucks, while some free-thinkers started buying loaded longbeds.

Now that almost every enthusiast knows about the strong prices for nice '67-'72 Chevy pickups, the quest has split in two directions. One faction seeks the best condition truck regardless of trim level because they know they can add factory accessories or customize their trucks with modern components. A smaller group still seeks the top-of-the-line models, but they've had to make serious compromises regarding condition and completeness.

Most people tend to modify or restify their trucks. The amount of people doing factory-perfect, numbers-matching restorations is considerably smaller. Most builders favor a basically stock outward appearance, but it doesn't bother them to drop a 454 big-block into a truck that originally housed a 250ci six-cylinder. This egalitarian attitude has extended to people turning longbed trucks into shortbeds and making 4x4 trucks (and Blazers) into two-wheel-drive rigs. The finished product seems to matter more than the pedigree.

As the popularity of these classic pickups has increased, so has the availability of high-quality reproduction parts, which has made it easier and generally less expensive to restore a truck. This has also made it possible to restore trucks that might have been parted out in years past. The mechanical side of the parts equation is very favorable too. There's a great deal of interchangeability among Chevy engines, transmissions, and rearends. These trucks have cavernous engine compartments, so engine swaps are easy.

Like the previous Chevy/GMC installments of this builder's guide series, we refer to the trucks as Chevys, but everything applies to GMC trucks as well. The differences between the two brands are mostly cosmetic. The most noticeable difference is the grilles. Some people prefer Chevy grilles, some like GMC units, and many owners opt for custom billet or tube grilles.

These trucks use the popular C/K designations to signify two-wheel-drive (C Series) and four-wheel-drive (K Series). Chevrolet trucks follow the letter with the numbers 10, 20, or 30 which correspond to 1/2-, 3/4-, and 1-ton models respectively. Sport truck enthusiasts lean heavily toward the C10 models. GMC trucks also use the same C and K prefixes, but follow them by 1500, 2500, or 3500 to signify 1/2-, 3/4-, or 1-ton models.

The trucks were available in Fleetside and Stepside styles with either a short 61/2-foot bed or a long 8-foot bed. There has been an increase in the interest in loaded longbed Fleetside trucks, but forget about longbed Stepsides unless you're looking to win an ugly truck contest.

Fleetside trucks seem to have a popularity edge over the Stepside models. It's much easier to find loaded Fleetsides than similarly equipped Stepsides. If you find a big-block, air conditioned, full power accessories Stepside, that's a rare truck worth preserving.

Over the six-year run, more shortbed Fleetside trucks were produced than Stepsides. That's especially true for the '70-'72 models. Production numbers by bed style were pretty even for the first three years. Then in 1970 the Fleetsides took a considerable lead. That lead continued into 1971 when the Fleetside to Stepside ratio was about 3:2. In 1972, the ratio jumped to 2:1. The production number differences between Fleetsides and Stepsides was even more pronounced for longbed trucks. The differences grew yearly until 1972 when longbed Stepside production was only about 3 percent of the total run.

Besides their numerical advantage, Fleetside trucks were much more likely to have higher equipment levels. The Stepsides tended to be ordered as no-nonsense work trucks or fleet trucks, and many shortbed Stepside base model trucks were used by utility companies. We bought one of those former utility company trucks that didn't even have a radio, but we were pleased that it had a heater.

There's nothing particularly wrong with buying a stripped C10. They make fine starting points for a ground-up custom project. The bad news is that the price of a stripped truck is rarely less than the cost of adding the features found on a loaded truck. You might save a few bucks up front, but unless you intend to drive the truck "as is," a stripped truck will cost more in the long run.

Obviously, you can't order a new '67-'72 C10, so you have to deal with what's available. If you have several trucks from which to choose, our advice is to buy the best combination of condition and equipment. We rate body condition first and equipment level second. When comparing two similar trucks, the condition is the most important factor, especially if the differences are substantial. If the conditions are pretty equal, we'd pick the slightly worse body if it had a lot better equipment.

The completeness is important too. If a truck was a big-block, air conditioned, bucket seat truck, it doesn't mean a whole lot when those items are missing. The trim items are often missing or badly damaged. Lots of people used to throw away (or sell for pennies) Cheyenne trim pieces. Now that a basically stock exterior appearance is very popular, those trim pieces can be tough or expensive to replace.

It's a good idea to order as many reproduction parts catalogs as possible. Use the catalogs to learn what parts are being reproduced and how much they cost. When a seller suggests that you can easily buy new Fleetside woodgrain lower-side moldings for a few bucks, check the catalogs. Yes, you can buy the trim pieces, but at about $300 per side. Each little trim section runs about $40 to $60 and it takes lots of sections to do a truck.

Catalogs can also tell you that some parts are amazingly inexpensive. Fleetside taillight bezels are commonly dented or badly scratched. Reproduction bezels are available for approximately $15 each and that seems like a real bargain to us.

Many parts aren't presently being reproduced. Those parts need to be purchased at swap meets or through publications like Hemmings Motor News. Check the ads before you hit the swap meets so you'll have a reasonable idea of prices. You might not be able to get a seller to drop an outrageous price, but you'll be able to spot bargains when you see them.

As much as prices for '67-'72 Chevy pickups are rising, there isn't any reason to panic. They made about 3 million of these trucks and lots of them survived. Supplies are ample, so you can take your time to find a good truck at a fair price.

[special-K]

My big question is who came up with this "Glamour Series" being what these trucks are known as?

It's simple. Us guys who have had these trucks and loved them throughout the time since they were new were never the kind of guy to give a rat's tail about a marketing name, so no matter what they called them we didn't pay any attention to it. Today trucks are marketed to car people and the generally fickle consumer public and they seem to need marketing slogans and renamed/repackaged products to be attracted to products. So the 67-72 enthusiast of today is a large group being marketed in that way. The reproduction/restoration element has become a healthy industry, except not made in USA isn't so healthy. Everybody is wanting in on making the money from this, finding their way in, including journalists.

We didn't buy the trucks because of advertising or even salesmen. We bought what we wanted and needed, and these trucks were very likeable with a lot of nice options to choose from... both for comfort as well as heavy duty work. Remember, back them GM offered a "full line" of trucks, from El Camino, then LUV, to Step Vans to Class 7 tractor trailers, and our trucks were part of the lineage. Didn't need a name.

I was only 12 when these trucks came out. I really liked the Chevy trucks before and was fully aware of the coming of the new design. I was an avid model kit builder and read all the car magazines. I loved that truck from the first time I saw it. I was a car nut since I spoke my first word, which was "car". I can still remember when these trucks were introduced and seeing my first ones. I don't believe they were introduced using any name other than the new 67 Chevy Trucks. here is a handful of ads from '67. What do you see them called?

[70cst]

Originally Posted by special-K

My big question is who came up with this "Glamour Series" being what these trucks are known as?

It's simple. Us guys who have had these trucks and loved them throughout the time since they were new were never the kind of guy to give a rat's tail about a marketing name, so no matter what they called them we didn't pay any attention to it. Today trucks are marketed to car people and the generally fickle consumer public and they seem to need marketing slogans and renamed/repackaged products to be attracted to products. So the 67-72 enthusiast of today is a large group being marketed in that way. The reproduction/restoration element has become a healthy industry, except not made in USA isn't so healthy. Everybody is wanting in on making the money from this, finding their way in, including journalists.

We didn't buy the trucks because of advertising or even salesmen. We bought what we wanted and needed, and these trucks were very likeable with a lot of nice options to choose from... both for comfort as well as heavy duty work. Remember, back them GM offered a "full line" of trucks, from El Camino, then LUV, to Step Vans to Class 7 tractor trailers, and our trucks were part of the lineage. Didn't need a name.

I was only 12 when these trucks came out. I really liked the Chevy trucks before and was fully aware of the coming of the new design. I was an avid model kit builder and read all the car magazines. I loved that truck from the first time I saw it. I was a car nut since I spoke my first word, which was "car". I can still remember when these trucks were introduced and seeing my first ones. I don't believe they were introduced using any name other than the new 67 Chevy Trucks. here is a handful of ads from '67. What do you see them called?

Good Post Special-K

[A1971Blazer]

I was 12yo in 1967 and I remember seeing the new 67 short beds lined up the dealership lots, and thinking...."those are some cool looking trucks"...my neighbor, who was the local NAPA auto parts owner, bought a brand new step side....I always loved the look of that truck. I tried to buy it sometime in the later years but never did.
As with most teenage boys in that era, I migrated to the cars which were much cooler, in our opinion. Chevelle, Camaro, GTO were all in my possession at one time or another.
Fast forward to present day....I have, in process, a 67 step side that will be a resto-mod, and a 68 step side that will be for my grandson when he begins to drive.
I call them "the 67" and "the 68"....
I call my Blazers...."the blue Blazer(70)" and "the black Blazer(72)"
that is all.........

['68OrangeSunshine]

I was 16-17 when they came out. I remember sitting on the Sunset Lawn of Hollywood High, watching the lunchtime parade of vehicles driving on Sunset Boulevard. A '67 Fleetside caught my eye, and I thought, ''Wow. That truck's NOT ugly!'' I decided I wanted one -- unless a Porsche 911 dropped out of the sky for me.
[The answer to my ''O Lord, Won't You BUY ME...'' prayer]
It wasn't until I was 23 and getting out of Jr college that I could pull off financing on a 5 year old truck. But I still have it.
I think I recall being amused by the ''New Breed of Truck'' ad slogan, as I was well aware [as a red-blooded 17 Y.O.] of Playboy using that same ad line. GM's ad boys dropped that one like the proverbial hot potato, at the first blowback from church ladies.