1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

A few weeks back a friend of mine saw this truck at a fire truck service shop. We were firemen together in my younger years, and he knows I have a passion for old Chevy trucks, so he had to share it with me. I had to know more so I called the shop owner to see what I could find out. Long story short, I now own it!

It's a 1968 K20 Panel truck that was converted into a mini-pumper by Bruco in Altoona, PA for the Blairsville, PA Volunteer Fire Department. It served them for years and was donated to Aultman, PA VFD to replace one of their trucks when their station burned down. Several years later it was traded to a fire truck repair shop for their services, and it sat in the owners yard for the last 10 or so years. It's a 4x4 with a 327 and 4 speed manual transmission. It has a 250gpm pto driven pump and at one time it had a 300 gallon water tank and hose reel. The tank, hose reel, siren, spot lights and radio were kept by the Aultman VFD.

It looks like there were only 68 4x4 K20 Panel trucks made in 1968, so I'm thinking it's pretty rare. I'm guessing only a few were turned into a firetruck. This may be the only one.

My father and grandfather both served as fire chief in my home town (North Apollo, PA) and I was a volunteer fireman when I lived there as well.

Now I own Carolina Truck Shop which specializes in restoring and customizing 1960-1999 Chevy & GMC trucks. I've always wanted to combine these two interests and own a classic Chevy firetruck.

We plan to repair all of the rust while keeping as much of the original paint and patina in tact. It'll then be used to promote my business at car shows, parades and other events.

Enjoy!

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

Pretty neat!

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

very cool!

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

Nice find, and yes only 68 made. I had this retired fire department one a few years ago.

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

Nice. Brings back memories. I was a volunteer fire fighter in eastern Nebraska at about that time. We had 4 early 70s C20 4x4s, pump truck, weed truck, couple utilities.

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

Great find. Good luck with the build. Here’s a similar one: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=678516

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

Nice score. It looks like it has a standing platform on the back.

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

Super rare and a great history on the old truck. Congrats on your find. I'm anxious to see that truck get fixed up.

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

Yes sir, great rare find indeed. It seems unusual to have built a pumper from a panel truck. I wouldn't be surprised if it is the only one.

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

Any idea what was in the hole in the radio delete?

Re: 1968 K20 Panel Firetruck
 

...and you sold it ? :whine: