68 factory black 396 swb custom - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**68bowtie** · 09-25-2015, 04:37 PM

so i have been looking for a 67 or 68 shortbed for a LONG time. i've been wanting something special to keep long term, and i'm super picky. well i finally found the one. it's a pretty funny story how i ended up buying it, so i thought i would share...

i have been religious with my searching (to the point i'm surprised my wife puts up with it). i can't count how many sellers i have asked to see the "factory options sticker in the glove box" and 9 times out of 10 the trucks for sale (at least in california) no longer have it. which has been a sticking point for me. well last week i was headed out of town for a 9-day hunting trip out of state that i'd been planning for 5 years with some good friends. the plan was to leave saturday morning at 3am. well the friday afternoon before, an ad popped up that looked interesting. 68 swb fleetside, primered, lowered, camaro rally wheels. looked like a decent truck so i called the guy. he called me back around 5pm that night while i was doing my final packing for my trip. i asked him to read me the SPID (which i was surprised it had). he read through it quickly, and a few things caught my attention like the color (black/white) and custom trim. when he read the engine size he just said "v-8". when he was finished reading i asked what size the engine was and he said "uh it's a v-8". so i left it at that.

i was showing my wife the pics of the truck and telling her i was seriously thinking about it. a factory black/white custom swb would definitely do it for me. then the guy texts me a pic of the SPID, and i see it immediately... 396!!! i couldn't believe it. i called the guy immediately and told him i would give him his asking price. so my wife and i spent the next 30 minutes trying to figure out how/when to get it home. it was located 5 hours away, and i was leaving in 9 hours for my trip. my wife said she would go pick it up after i left (which i wasn't entirely comfortable with), but she couldn't get to it for a couple days. i was nervous he wouldn't hold it that long since he had other people calling. then my wife says "let's load up the kids and get it now". needless to say my wife is VERY understanding! so i talked the guy into letting me see the truck at 11pm. threw the rest of my gear together, my 3 kids into the car, and headed north. bought it. drove it 100 miles back to my parents house part way between to store it while on my trip. put my wife and kids up in a hotel in sacramento, just in time for my friends to pick me up in sac on the way out of town. didn't sleep at all that night, but it was well worth it!

i'm so excited to have the truck, and so thankful to have such a supportive wife. i've always wanted a big block shortbed, but never thought i'd find one. i finally have my dream truck! here are a couple pics. still formulating my plans for the truck, but i have a 396 that will be part of it...

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**68bowtie** · 09-25-2015, 04:39 PM

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68is4me · 09-25-2015, 05:01 PM

Super nice find, that's my dream truck. but we need more pictures.

**69Tom** · 09-25-2015, 05:05 PM

Wow. That's awesome. And a great find. Looking forward to seeing it painted.

cypressbog · 09-25-2015, 05:12 PM

Congrats on the find!

hugger6933 · 09-25-2015, 05:18 PM

Buddies too, Distant cousin to my GMC that was 396 t400 power steering brakes and air w/speed warning. My is a 3/4 ton though it will some day be a short 1/2 ton with 5 lugs. [I already have the rolling 5 lug frame and short bed. Jim

**murguia** · 09-25-2015, 07:07 PM

awesome. I had a great 68 and I regret selling it everyday of my life haha. Can't wait to see it done

slowcpe · 09-25-2015, 07:29 PM

Very nice find!

harrisoncole4 · 09-25-2015, 08:44 PM

How long had you been looking before you finally found it?

**70cst** · 09-25-2015, 08:49 PM

Great story with a feel good ending.

**68bowtie** · 09-25-2015, 09:35 PM

thanks. i've wanted one like this for well over 10 years, but really been searching hard for the last 3. here are a few more pics, gotta do one at a time from the iphone since i'm still on the road. not sure when it will happen, but i do want to repaint the original black/white scheme eventually.

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**68bowtie** · 09-25-2015, 09:36 PM

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**68bowtie** · 09-25-2015, 09:39 PM

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Security guy · 09-25-2015, 09:42 PM

Nice find! You don't see many of those around.

**Ironangel** · 09-25-2015, 09:47 PM

Very nice score! Congratulations to you and your wife!

Xeen · 09-25-2015, 10:05 PM

Unicorn.
#Winning

**leddzepp** · 09-25-2015, 10:11 PM

Congrats on finding your truck

Drive it as-is now and enjoy it. When the time comes it looks like an easy resto or refresh with little to no rust or body damage.

71swb4x4 · 09-25-2015, 10:34 PM

That's a great looking truck with a better looking SPID! Nice find!

tommys72 · 09-25-2015, 10:46 PM

Wow! Nice find

BossHogg69 · 09-26-2015, 02:42 PM

Wow, congrats on the awesome find!

sleepertruck72 · 09-26-2015, 06:13 PM

Nice find ! it looks good and straight

kingstrider · 09-26-2015, 07:31 PM

Nice find and great story.

cooperhw · 09-26-2015, 08:53 PM

That's a cool story, Wife, and truck. Not in that order necessarily. When you really want a particular thing it's good to wait as they do pop up from time to time.

toms68cst · 09-26-2015, 10:21 PM

Congratulations from a fellow '68 freak! Nice find.

72swbcamo · 09-27-2015, 01:24 PM

Congratulations on the truck fine. You wife sounds like a wonderful women, another nice find. Your a lucky guy! Does your wife have a sister like her?

09-25-2015, 04:37 PM	#1
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,345	68 factory black 396 swb custom so i have been looking for a 67 or 68 shortbed for a LONG time. i've been wanting something special to keep long term, and i'm super picky. well i finally found the one. it's a pretty funny story how i ended up buying it, so i thought i would share... i have been religious with my searching (to the point i'm surprised my wife puts up with it). i can't count how many sellers i have asked to see the "factory options sticker in the glove box" and 9 times out of 10 the trucks for sale (at least in california) no longer have it. which has been a sticking point for me. well last week i was headed out of town for a 9-day hunting trip out of state that i'd been planning for 5 years with some good friends. the plan was to leave saturday morning at 3am. well the friday afternoon before, an ad popped up that looked interesting. 68 swb fleetside, primered, lowered, camaro rally wheels. looked like a decent truck so i called the guy. he called me back around 5pm that night while i was doing my final packing for my trip. i asked him to read me the SPID (which i was surprised it had). he read through it quickly, and a few things caught my attention like the color (black/white) and custom trim. when he read the engine size he just said "v-8". when he was finished reading i asked what size the engine was and he said "uh it's a v-8". so i left it at that. i was showing my wife the pics of the truck and telling her i was seriously thinking about it. a factory black/white custom swb would definitely do it for me. then the guy texts me a pic of the SPID, and i see it immediately... 396!!! i couldn't believe it. i called the guy immediately and told him i would give him his asking price. so my wife and i spent the next 30 minutes trying to figure out how/when to get it home. it was located 5 hours away, and i was leaving in 9 hours for my trip. my wife said she would go pick it up after i left (which i wasn't entirely comfortable with), but she couldn't get to it for a couple days. i was nervous he wouldn't hold it that long since he had other people calling. then my wife says "let's load up the kids and get it now". needless to say my wife is VERY understanding! so i talked the guy into letting me see the truck at 11pm. threw the rest of my gear together, my 3 kids into the car, and headed north. bought it. drove it 100 miles back to my parents house part way between to store it while on my trip. put my wife and kids up in a hotel in sacramento, just in time for my friends to pick me up in sac on the way out of town. didn't sleep at all that night, but it was well worth it! i'm so excited to have the truck, and so thankful to have such a supportive wife. i've always wanted a big block shortbed, but never thought i'd find one. i finally have my dream truck! here are a couple pics. still formulating my plans for the truck, but i have a 396 that will be part of it... __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

09-25-2015, 04:39 PM	#2
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,345	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

09-25-2015, 05:01 PM	#3
68is4me Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: lakefield,mn Posts: 566	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Super nice find, that's my dream truck. but we need more pictures. __________________ 68 c10 swb stepper 68 c10 swb stepper 67 c10 lwb 06 gmc duramax

09-25-2015, 05:05 PM	#4
69Tom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,333	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Wow. That's awesome. And a great find. Looking forward to seeing it painted.

09-25-2015, 05:12 PM	#5
cypressbog Go Pack Go! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Green Bay Posts: 2,669	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Congrats on the find!

09-25-2015, 05:18 PM	#6
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,257	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Buddies too, Distant cousin to my GMC that was 396 t400 power steering brakes and air w/speed warning. My is a 3/4 ton though it will some day be a short 1/2 ton with 5 lugs. [I already have the rolling 5 lug frame and short bed. Jim

09-25-2015, 07:07 PM	#7
murguia Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: la Posts: 367	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom awesome. I had a great 68 and I regret selling it everyday of my life haha. Can't wait to see it done

09-25-2015, 07:29 PM	#8
slowcpe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,774	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Very nice find! __________________ Ryan 1967 Red Stepside..."Laymond" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...40#post6441840 1972 Medium Olive SWB-Chester http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=759628 1967/71 Blue SWB C10..SOLD 1977 SWB K10..my grandpa's.....never should have sold

09-25-2015, 08:44 PM	#9
harrisoncole4 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: St.Thomas, ON Posts: 320	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom How long had you been looking before you finally found it?

09-25-2015, 08:49 PM	#10
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,339	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Great story with a feel good ending. Attached Images __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

09-25-2015, 09:35 PM	#11
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,345	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom thanks. i've wanted one like this for well over 10 years, but really been searching hard for the last 3. here are a few more pics, gotta do one at a time from the iphone since i'm still on the road. not sure when it will happen, but i do want to repaint the original black/white scheme eventually. __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

09-25-2015, 09:36 PM	#12
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,345	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

09-25-2015, 09:39 PM	#13
68bowtie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Turlock, CA Posts: 8,345	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom __________________ I live in California, but identify as a Texan "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well" Project "Little Sister" (70 c10 blue original paint refresh) Project "C10 Fever" (68 factory black 396 swb) Project "Blue Bomb" (70 c30 blue original paint refresh) Project "Vitamin C" (71 c10 orange original paint refresh)

09-25-2015, 09:42 PM	#14
Security guy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sarasota, Fl. Posts: 441	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Nice find! You don't see many of those around.

09-25-2015, 09:47 PM	#15
Ironangel Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere" Posts: 2,219	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Very nice score! Congratulations to you and your wife! __________________ Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" "Be American, Buy American"



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09-25-2015, 10:05 PM	#16
Xeen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Topeka Kansas Posts: 2,655	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Unicorn. #Winning __________________ Please call me Brian. Check out My 1972 SWB Fleetside 5.3L Vortec Restomod Build

09-25-2015, 10:11 PM	#17
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,981	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Congrats on finding your truck Drive it as-is now and enjoy it. When the time comes it looks like an easy resto or refresh with little to no rust or body damage. __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man

09-25-2015, 10:34 PM	#18
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom That's a great looking truck with a better looking SPID! Nice find! __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

09-25-2015, 10:46 PM	#19
tommys72 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: springfield mo Posts: 3,075	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Wow! Nice find __________________ United States Marine Corps 2000-2011 Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Just living life now and enjoying it and my wife, daughter and son

09-26-2015, 02:42 PM	#20
BossHogg69 motor exploder Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,346	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Wow, congrats on the awesome find! __________________ Adam 1969 Chevy CST/10 stepside, DART Big M/TREMEC Magnum Extreme/3.73's w/Detroit Truetrac 1965 Chevy Bel Air Wagon (daily driver), 327/TH350,10 bolt w/3.08's 1961 Chevy Bel Air Sport Coupe, ZZ454/M21/9" rear w/3.50's & Detroit Truetrac 2005 GMC 1500 ccsb 2wd, 6.0L/4L65e/3.73 G80 2006 GMC 2500HD ccsb 4x4, DMax LBZ/Allison 6spd/4.56's w/Detroit TrueTrac Use the SEARCH function on this forum - it is your friend!!

09-26-2015, 06:13 PM	#21
sleepertruck72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Turlock California 95380 Posts: 2,075	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Nice find ! it looks good and straight __________________ 72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71

09-26-2015, 07:31 PM	#22
kingstrider Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Uncle Sam knows Posts: 286	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Nice find and great story.

09-26-2015, 08:53 PM	#23
cooperhw Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix) Posts: 2,302	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom That's a cool story, Wife, and truck. Not in that order necessarily. When you really want a particular thing it's good to wait as they do pop up from time to time. __________________ "Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne

09-26-2015, 10:21 PM	#24
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,276	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Congratulations from a fellow '68 freak! Nice find. __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

09-27-2015, 01:24 PM	#25
72swbcamo Active Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Waterbury, CT Posts: 591	Re: 68 factory black 396 swb custom Congratulations on the truck fine. You wife sounds like a wonderful women, another nice find. Your a lucky guy! Does your wife have a sister like her?

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