Is this thing a 50th Anniversary pickup??

[Captain Underdog]

This is how I found it. Well, not exactly, I have the front hubs in the shop getting relubed. The story on it; was grampa's pickup since new, grampa died in '95 and son gets it out of garage and puts it in open storage. It didn't have a dent in it when he put it in storage, the fat guy next to him backed his camp trailer into the side repeatedly on returning from his yearly excursions to the KOA.

Anyway, he tired of storage payments so he sold it to the wrecking yard. I bought it from them.

The curious thing about this pickup is the front and rear side lights; there is no lights in there, no wiring to them at all, they have the holes to mount the bulb, but no bulb.

Is this a 50th anniversary edition pickup or not??

[Captain Underdog]

now how did I do this?

[shaneschevys]

Welcome from FT Worth TX. Looks to me like its a 50th anniversary truck.

[jsbgump]

Welcome to the board from Texas

[babyJay]

Sure looks like one to me. Welcome, from Indiana.

[chevy_mike]

Sure looks to be.

As for the marker lights, it was an option in '68. Without the option, you just got relectors that look like the lighted versions. My '68 is the same way and I will swap them out when I get to that point.

[Longhorn Man]

yep, 50th.
The side markers... thats the norm on 68 and 69 trucks. they were only required on cab chassis trucks with daul rear wheels, however, any pick up in 68 or 69 could get the optional markers though. (not many did though)

[Captain Underdog]

How can you tell? Is it just the paint?

I can't find the reproduction seat covers that match mine; white vinyl with gold insets.

[red71c10]

That's a nice find. I have a soft spot for '68's. I missed out on a nice 50th and got my '71 instead. It's always fun when you can find a truck that is all original or very close to it.

[Captain Underdog]

Well, I got it home today. When I started it, I slowly poured a quart of atf down the carb while holding it at 2000rpm or so, to lube and clean things up a little. Made a big cloud of smoke and the guard at the gate of the mill across the street called the fire dept, so I had that little visit. Anyway it seems to have a little miss, so I'm going to have to investigate that.

I can't believe the gas tank is not rusted after sitting outside for 13 years. I dropped a light bulb down in there and it looked really clean. (whew)

Yeah, this is too fun.

[Huck]

YOU dropped a light bulb down into the gas tank? Remind me to keep my distance. Is that the dumbest thing you have ever done or is there a topper???
It is a 50th anniversary but will probably not last the summer. Yikes!!

[Captain Underdog]

Hey, chill with the criticism, especially when you have no idea what kind of "light bulb" I used. It is a series of dash light bulbs soldered together and sealed inside a plastic tube. It is built for just exactly that purpose. I have three different sizes of them, this one has an OD of 5/8 inch. Each of them has passed MSHA and OSHA inspections for use in a flammable atmosphere. As a welder, tanks are one of my specialties. I weld on all kinds of tanks, large and small, hydraulic tanks, diesel tanks and yes, even gasoline tanks. I have been doing it for 35 years. I know all the dangers and all the safety measures that are mandatory for continued life on this planet. I even administer part of the safety program where I currently work. There is no stupidity or reckless abandon in my life, well.....maybe where women are concerned there was. But the burn I got there can't be treated in a hospital.

[Captain Underdog]

Oh yeah, one other thing; everybody thinks this pickup is a 50th, but nobody can tell me why they think that.

I found the build sheet stuffed in the seat back. I will need to find a flatbed scanner to dupe it because mine at home is a regular copy machine that you cannot feed a damaged document through. I'll post it when I get it.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Captain Underdog

Oh yeah, one other thing; everybody thinks this pickup is a 50th, but nobody can tell me why they think that.

551 paint code on the SPID.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

551 paint code on the SPID.

Bingo...we have a winner.

[Captain Underdog]

Thanks, thanks and double thanks.

You guys rock.

[BarryB]

The paint code, The dash color and sunvisor color, the door panel, and the seat cover, Gold and ivory only offered on the 50th.
Check to see what motor is in it, should be a 327. from what I've read most of the 50th's came with 327's. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.

[19673ontree]

is it a long bed or short bed ?

[CPNE]

Originally Posted by BarryB

The paint code, The dash color and sunvisor color, the door panel, and the seat cover, Gold and ivory only offered on the 50th.
Check to see what motor is in it, should be a 327. from what I've read most of the 50th's came with 327's. Someone correct me if I'm wrong on that.

No. Engine option had nothing to do with anniv ed pickups. That was a 307 equipped truck, for several reasons:

CE vin indicated V8
No optional V8 listed on spid, 307 was base v8 in 68
Equpped with manual choke, 4bbl engines (327, 396) had divorced chokes

[stllookn]

There is no stupidity or reckless abandon in my life, well.....maybe where women are concerned there was. But the burn I got there can't be treated in a hospital.

That seat came with the Custom Comfort and Convenience option. The material was only used on that truck. If you want a cover you will have one made to match. The material is available however and was only used in 1968! The material is about $85/yd and it will take a couple of yards. I will be having one made for my 1968 50th Longhorn that is undergoing a VERY SLOW 100 pt. restoration.

Welome from Kent, WA.

[factorystock]

There has been a lot of talk about 50th trucks, but does anyone have any factory documentation? Any serious collector will undoubtably want this info. All I know is that there was a Golden Anniversary Sale, which consisted of specially equipped gold trucks with an option package, at a special savings. If we can not verify with facts, it becomes everyones asserations and opinions of what a 50th is. Hopefully, somebody will impress me with documentation.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by factorystock

There has been a lot of talk about 50th trucks, but does anyone have any factory documentation? Any serious collector will undoubtedly want this info. All I know is that there was a Golden Anniversary Sale, which consisted of specially equipped gold trucks with an option package, at a special savings. If we can not verify with facts, it becomes everyone’s assertions and opinions of what a 50th is. Hopefully, somebody will impress me with documentation.

I guess if one doesn't accept the info from this thread as factual...then there is always the option of during personal research and purchasing books which will support the info that had been given. If the SPID match the VIN # then it is most likely an original matching truck. Those who are knowledgeable about these trucks will know the info stated in this thread is factual. There are guys on this board who know more about these trucks than I will ever know. If they say it is so then it is so! JMHO

[Captain Underdog]

It is a 307, three on the tree, 3.73 open, with LWB. It is virtually untouched. It rides just like my Checker, swweeeet!!!

I was raised on a dry land wheat farm and when I was 15 yrs old my Dad bought a brand new 67 C60 for $4827. Since then I have always had a love affair with the 67-68s. I'm almost disappointed that it's a 50th anniversary edition, I just wanted an old C10 to use as a daily driver, I didn't want anything rare. I hate to just fix it and drive it. It should be preserved, but then I hate trailer queens, I just can't relate.

[myfirstcarwasa73trk]

well ok if you insist I will trade my plane jane 67 for your 50th

but realy I cant mine is a 67!

[stllookn]

I'm almost disappointed that it's a 50th anniversary edition, I just wanted an old C10 to use as a daily driver, I didn't want anything rare. I hate to just fix it and drive it. It should be preserved, but then I hate trailer queens, I just can't relate.

There were 15 exterior color options for the 1968 trucks. I swear that there were more 50th Anniversary (551) trucks than any other single option! I am just guessing here but I see more of them around this area than any other color. Besides my three...there are two more within a mile of me! I can't say that about any other year/model. I know where there are at least 3-4 more in the Seattle area alone. I know of one that was painted black since the owner did not like the gold and white...or know what it was. Just my 0.02...but trust me...there are still lots of them out there.