Is it just me?

[M5-]

I'm pulling up as much info as I can these days on the 60-66 trucks and I'm always coming across articles about how great the 67-72 trucks are and how collectable etc. they are but not too much talk about the 60-66's. Hands down I prefer the look of the 60-66's. To me the newer trucks look like a bridge to what we are driving today but the 60-66's are unique. Maybe I'm on crack and have missed something.

M5

[DPowers]

I think it comes down to a matter of opinion and personal taste. I like the 60-66 better, but prefer the 4,5,6 over the 60-63... I also like the looks of the square bodies.
But no matter what your preference may be, I think that you have to appreciate the "hot rod spirit" whether it is a '67 Fairlane, '40 Ford or a new Dodge Challenger.

[M5-]

Absolutely I agree. What I was getting at and maybe I didn't phrase it ideally is that most of the magazine articles I've come across rave about the 67-72's to the point where one I read basically called the 60-66's undesirable. I think these trucks have a lot of upside in the future.

Thats all.

M5

[MalibuKasey]

Ill bite on this one!! I TOTALLY agree! Its been a couple years ago when I went on the hunt for a 4,5,6... they just have great character to them.... and like 61 said.... a simpler time is spot on!! I have a 79 malibu that I do love alot... its good and fast. But theres something about driving around in my 66 that I absolutely love. Just a whole different vibe all together. Im a fairly young fella and to me theres nothing cooler then getting the thumbs up from the old guys.

[Liz]

shadup Kasey, you just have no taste Glad the trees block me having to look at your junk all summer

IMHO its all personal pref. I have always said I think the 67-72s are ugly. I do prefer the GMC looks over chevy as well. I have never been a big fan of the 60-66 either.. but I do love the projects I see on here. I think the personalities the projects take on are what draws me to them. Mid - late 70s gmc 4x4 are my favorite.. but again its all individual preference.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

You see more of them now in the truck magazines.
Not enough...But they are slowly coming back.
Still not as popular as the rest...

http://www.classictrucks.com/index.html

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/index.html

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by M5-

Hands down I prefer the look of the 60-66's. To me the newer trucks look like a bridge to what we are driving today but the 60-66's are unique.

M5

I also agree. For some of us old farts:

If you want a truck that has a true throwback design that reflects the character of days gone by, when trucks were tools, not simply transportation, you pick a 66 or older truck.

If you want a truck that has character more in line with the todays current new trucks, with some old school styling, you pick a 67 or newer truck.

But for a lot of people it is simply a personal connection. You new somebody who had a specific model, or it was the one that got away, etc.

[markeb01]

I believe the reason for the bias in popularity toward the 67-72 is simply this was the first series of trucks widely ordered and purchased new as personal transportation, and were therefore better equipped with desirable options when new. This made them a greater value when they became used vehicles.

Prior to this, pickups were primarily appliances for hauling stuff. Beginning in 67 many were upgraded because the original owner intended to spend a lot of time in the truck due to the rapidly expanding popularity of campers. This also explains why so many of the best original examples of well equipped 67-72’s are long bed fleetsides. They were loved when new and received good care and maintenance, compared to fleet vehicles.

When non-enthusiasts looked for a used truck, it was an easy decision – you could pick from a 67-72 which was essentially a modern design truck with many creature comforts, or and older truck which looked out of date (which I happen to prefer), and came with very few optional creature comforts. I think this outlook prevailed all the way up until there were so many being fixed up by enthusiasts, they actually became popular with another generation of owners. And thanks to GM designing in advanced rust promotion features, many 60-66’s rusted quickly making them look far older than other vehicles their age, and requiring more enthusiasm and expense to repair.

I’ve been a car nut my whole life, and was 12 years old when the 1960’s hit the market. My first impressions were I loved the look of the cab, but thought the stepsides looked goofy with the undersized 1955 back fenders (assuming the correct fenders had not arrived yet), and the GMC hood was hideous. In the Marines in 1967 we were issued a brand new 67 Chevy short step. We all thought it looked boring and stupid like an old Studebaker, having no style at all compared to the 65 we also had in the pool. Over time some of my opinions have softened, but the 67-72 style still remains my least favorite.

By 1973, trucks were mainstream, and many in my neighborhood ordered brand new short bed stepsides as factory hot rods, starting a trend toward truck ownership as primary transportation which continues to this day.

[63sbssbbw]

I've loved 60-63's since I was a teenager(mid '70s) and I'm kinda glad that they haven't hit mainstream yet(cuz I'm a cheap sob)
the more popular they get, the higher the price,and I have no plans to sell any of mine anytime soon.
but there is gaining interest in them,which is nice to see
jmo,from across the province
T

[aerotruk63]

It's kind of like the music industry, slip a few buck's to the editors of these magazines and pay off a few celebrities to endorse the 60-66 and we'd all be rich.

[nicke]

I totally agree. I have a nice 71' right now but am looking locally to dump this truck for a 60-66 in similar condition. After getting into trucks, that body style is more appealing to me, and I think its because it is much more unique and recognizable. It took me a while to get to this point, but I am set on a 60-66 now... (hopefully 65')!

[aerotruk63]

Let me hear an Amen , brethren!

[Ghostwhite]

I've gone back and forth on this in mine mind, but I love my 62. I have to admit that an article in a magazine is what got me really interested in old chevy iron. It was a feature on Dino63's personal collection including his panel, orange GMC, SWB 4-5-6 and 72-87 SWB all slammed to the ground with clean understated styling that really makes a nice hotrod in my mind.

I started looking at the 73-87 trucks first and then got attached to the 60-66 trucks and finally found one locally. During the search I really didn't like the look of the 67-72 trucks but now they are starting to grow on me. It doesn't help that there is very little aftermarket support for the 60-62s with my goal being slammed as well.

I have been planning on using a 63-72 frame for my project and in my search have seen more than a few good looking project trucks of the 67-72 era. I still haven't decided fully but I already have this truck so that makes it that much easier. I think it may just be a spur of the moment thing and may pass by the time I get to actually see my truck again.

I might get to drive it when I get my two weeks home next month

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Let me hear an Amen , brethren!

Amen

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by M5-

Absolutely I agree. What I was getting at and maybe I didn't phrase it ideally is that most of the magazine articles I've come across rave about the 67-72's to the point where one I read basically called the 60-66's undesirable. I think these trucks have a lot of upside in the future.

Thats all.

M5

......I read this same thing 10 years ago. I like them because they dont have to go thru emmisions; I believe they are more popular than ever now.

[jocko]

I've owned a 72 (long time ago) but it was, as markeb01 mentioned - transportation primarily - I "needed" it. Don't get me wrong, I CHOSE it because it was "transportation with flair" - but I needed to get to work, liked it, it was cheap, yada yada. But for style - 60-66's have it hands down in my book.

And I look at it this way - I kinda hope the 67-72s continue to run away with the popularity contest - it'll keep our parts prices lower and the junkyards fuller!

Oh yeah, and Amen.

[MalibuKasey]

Liz..... dont hate!! HA!!

[Liz]

Just wait till winter... I can see in your garage from the deck! Now you will be freaking out every time you work on the truck.


/end hijack