Why do people ignore square bodies?

[WyattTX]

In notice people speak highly the 67-72, and GMT400. But the square body is just talked about like it is just another truck. Other than that dumb government, and media frenzy over the "side saddle" gas tanks, what is really wrong with these trucks? Mechanically, it seems just as good, if not better than its predecessor. If you count the EFI trucks made in '86 and '87 they might have a fighting chance against the gmt400. Could someone explain the square discrimination? Thanks.

[old Rusty C10]

until recently they were a dime a dozen, lately they are becoming scarcer forgood OEM parts and the value and desirability will become greater... patience grasshopper

[mongocanfly]

different parts of the country I guess but around here the squares rule..there's still a lot of them on the road still being used a "trucks" and are highly sought after for customizing...went to a small local show here last weekend and there were about a dozen squares there..for overall desirability the 67-72s still rule I think..hardly anyone gives a gmt400 a passing glance around here

[Malo83]

No discrimination here! with a lot of the 67-72 trucks getting scarce and pricier the 73-87 squarebodies are getting a lot more attention

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by WyattTX

Why do people ignore square bodies?

I don't know that they do.

I could hardly put gas in mine without someone wanting to come over and talk to me about it.

Mine has PS/PB, A/C, overdrive trans, disc brakes - to me it is a thoroughly modern truck wrapped in vintage sheet metal.

K

[Mattchu60]

They made a TON of these trucks - they were everywhere - so the value has probably got a upper limit as they are not scare.

That said, values are rising, when I got mine 5 years ago it was in nice shape - no rust and recent tires and paint. Got for $5k at the time and there were more to pick from. Now the ones in nice shape are going for more than $10k and restored ones are going over $15k. I think people are starting to move on from the 67-72 generation and the 73-87 is starting to get more popular (people are getting older, so the cars they grew up with and are looking for now are changing to stuff from the 70s and 80s. I think the 80's camaros will be a hot item at some point, just my thoughts.

Everywhere I go with mine I get looks and it draws attention, I'll never win any car shows with it, but its fun to drive, looks cool and serves a purpose (it hauls things). Plus they are super easy to work on vs a new car.

[shp4man]

I wouldn't mind having a mid 70's short stepper. It's a nice looking little truck.

[Bobzilla75]

Around us, they've almost all returned to their natural elements. There are very few even in the scrap yards at this point.

[RDrancher]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I don't know that they do.

I could hardly put gas in mine without someone wanting to come over and talk to me about it.

Mine has PS/PB, A/C, overdrive trans, disc brakes - to me it is a thoroughly modern truck wrapped in vintage sheet metal.

K

This ^^.

A lot of thumbs up and nods too, even where we live out in the sticks. The other day I had a 16-17 year old ranch kid getting in his farm truck give me a "that's cool". Nice that there are still some young ones that know what cool is.

[RedBed]

They get attention from me for sure! But yea, there were a LOT of them made.

[Bloodhound]

All in due time. As stated, they were made for a looong time and they made a lot of them.

[WyattTX]

I love them for the fact, they were some of the last of their kind, which was big sheetmetal,push button doors, and glass headlights. The gmt400 was the entrance to the Tupperware age. Ford, and Chrysler tried to avoid the Tupperware transition, a little longer by making slower, and more subtle changes to their pickups. But by the end of the '90s they had succumbed to the Tupperware influence.

[Dead Parrot]

When the side saddle tank thing happened, someone pulled records on how many were still on the road. I don't remember the number they got, but even GM was surprised at how many millions were still running. Not only did we start with a very large number of trucks, they have held up well through the years.

BTW - mine got noticed by the Lowes loading crew who were happy they could get the load of drywall to fit completely in the bed. So many of the newer trucks are crew cab short beds.

[mongocanfly]

I've never heard the term tupperware trucks...sadly it does seem to fit

[ranger danger]

In my part of the country, its because of smog regulations. Only the 73, 74 and 75 are exempt. After that your stuck with the government telling you what you can and cant do.

[100%Chevy]

I have about 10,73/89 Chevy trucks,and I'd rather drive them than any of the newer stuff!
I also have a few 60/66 and 3,67/72 trucks.
And,a nearly new 95,K-3500 dually,with all the extras.It has 73,000 miles on it now!
I still drive this the most.because I can throw stuff in it,at it and on it.Plus I can reach over the sides!Can't say that about the newer trucks with the super high beds.
And,the best thing about them is I have no payments!Low insurance,low maintenance and cheap parts.
Yes,it's ugly,but,of them all,it's my favorite.





Mike.

[WyattTX]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

When the side saddle tank thing happened, someone pulled records on how many were still on the road. I don't remember the number they got, but even GM was surprised at how many millions were still running. Not only did we start with a very large number of trucks, they have held up well through the years.

BTW - mine got noticed by the Lowes loading crew who were happy they could get the load of drywall to fit completely in the bed. So many of the newer trucks are crew cab short beds.

You are correct, for every '70s or '80s Ford on the road, I see 10 to 15 GM square bodies. For whatever reason they litterally outlasted the competition. It would not surprise me if Ford or Chrysler helped egg on the side saddle controversey, to promote the sell of their own trucks.

[beasst]

In my area they are very desirable. I looked at one last year, everything worked (ie. factory clock, ac, power windows. etc) Not a straight panel on the truck, cab corners gone, and the guy would not budge off of $3600.
Like above it's rare that I go somewhere in mine and get out that someone doesn't comment on it.

[mongocanfly]

I came out of the parts store a little while ago and there was a guy taking pictures of mine..I just smiled as I drove off..nothing special about my truck from the outside

[Jeff's bowtie's]

We were at Cracker Barrel eating this evening and I happened to look out the window to find an older guy giving my 79 C/20 a good looking over

[WyattTX]

I get looks and points from older folks often. I guess it takes them back. One younger Woman told me she liked my '85 because it reminds her of when she graduated in '86. Nostalgia is a strong seller. That is why yesterday's "junk cars" like the AMC Pacer, and Ford Pinto can fetch decent amounts today. You may have hated the car in youth, but it reminds you of it well. By the way that is a beautiful C20, Jeff.

[midniteblues]

Had a few 2wd short squares in the past almost all round eye's.
Never had one I didn't like.

In the land of rust they have been bringing a pretty good buck for awhile. Early models are scarce.
Lots of parts around though.

[WyattTX]

Originally Posted by 100%Chevy

I have about 10,73/89 Chevy trucks,and I'd rather drive them than any of the newer stuff!
I also have a few 60/66 and 3,67/72 trucks.
And,a nearly new 95,K-3500 dually,with all the extras.It has 73,000 miles on it now!
I still drive this the most.because I can throw stuff in it,at it and on it.Plus I can reach over the sides!Can't say that about the newer trucks with the super high beds.
And,the best thing about them is I have no payments!Low insurance,low maintenance and cheap parts.
Yes,it's ugly,but,of them all,it's my favorite.





Mike.

Like many old work horses, it great ugliness only adds to it's beauty. As it would tell a greater story than show winner, that lives under a tarp all its life.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by WyattTX

In notice people speak highly the 67-72, and GMT400. But the square body is just talked about like it is just another truck. Other than that dumb government, and media frenzy over the "side saddle" gas tanks, what is really wrong with these trucks? Mechanically, it seems just as good, if not better than its predecessor. If you count the EFI trucks made in '86 and '87 they might have a fighting chance against the gmt400. Could someone explain the square discrimination? Thanks.

I don't know why you say what you do. The 67-72s got a head start and have always had a following during the 15-18 years these trucks were made. Just here on this site, if you had been checking this forum regularly since you joined you would know just how very popular they are. If you had been looking to buy one you would see how prices have shot up... and if that isn't an indicator of desirability than there's no such thing as desire.

The only thing that hurts them is they begin the year after most street rod clubs and their shows cut off. Fpr cars, '73 meant 5mph bumpers and a noticeable influx of gov't sponsored design...from lowered performance to various safety designs. The trucks carried on from '72 as merely a style change with relatively the same mechanics, till the 700r4 came along, then in '87 the TBI. Added convenience comes from power windows and inside hood latch.

I was talking to the owner of one of the sweetest '84 shortbeds I have ever seen at the gas station yesterday. I've seen it around and at his house. He is probably about 70 and said he's a hot rodder (I knew that). Slammed, satin turquoise, black interior/tonneau cover, 81/82 bumper for turn signals, and 17" slots. One fine clean machine. People who know whaat they like have nothing against these trucks, as do those who don't care what anyone else is doing. Not that there aren't clubs, groups, and many websites whose sole focus is square bodies.

And I always thought Pintos "could look" cool and Pacers still suck!

[shp4man]

They're some nice looking trucks.