Why do you drive your truck?

[3757chevy]

I've been riding in my Dad's ('59 3100 short step and '65 C10 LWB ) since the '60s or driving my own since 1975 ['58 3100 short step,72 C10 SWB , '71 C10 LWB ,'67 C10 short step(my daily driver), '72 C10 LWB (now my Daughters), '69 C10 LWB , and '71 C10 LWB (parts truck,now a trailer) and my '72 K5 Blazer] and a '67 El Camino in the late 70's early 80's ....Chevy's for Life...

[nikwho]

Nothing makes me smile more than driving my '59 Apache or '68 C15! I've got a newer 4WD 3/4 ton, and it's a great truck, but it's an appliance. My older trucks make me feel good. Plus, I've got a spare engine and transmission that would go into either of them in an afternoon!

[prodjay10]

Mine is a pain to drive. Manual tranny, manual clutch, and manual brakes. Lots of road noise and leaks like a sieve. I like driving it because it's different especially with the tool box fenders. I've always liked this style because my dad and uncle owned some when I was a kid.

My plan is to LS swap it with an auto tranny, install AC, and make it my service truck. It would be a head turner which means free advertising.

[3757chevy]

My Granddaughter Loves to ride in our trucks just like her Mommy did. (and still Loves to drive her's)

[davischevy]

My dad bought a new 68 and 69 and I bought a new 72 Cheyenne. I bought a new K10 SWB in 76, but I sold it in 1980 and bought a one owner 72 Cheyenne. I did that partly because I needed the cash to get my business off the ground and because I wanted another 72.

I have had at least one and usually several 68-72's since. I have a Silverado SS and a D-max that seldom get driven because I love the sound of that Big block in my 133" wheelbase GMC. My wife has a new Tahoe and when we go someplace she asks why we have to drive that old truck. I tell her because I would rather drive it.

People constantly comment and compliment the old truck. It always good for conversation at the gas pump.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by davischevy

My dad bought a new 68 and 69 and I bought a new 72 Cheyenne. I bought a new K10 SWB in 76, but I sold it in 1980 and bought a one owner 72 Cheyenne. I did that partly because I needed the cash to get my business off the ground and because I wanted another 72.

I have had at least one and usually several 68-72's since. I have a Silverado SS and a D-max that seldom get driven because I love the sound of that Big block in my 133" wheelbase GMC. My wife has a new Tahoe and when we go someplace she asks why we have to drive that old truck. I tell her because I would rather drive it.

People constantly comment and compliment the old truck. It always good for conversation at the gas pump.

Heh, many years ago one of my younger brothers built a 383 stroker with a blower and put it in a '62 C10 long bed. He pulled it all apart, acid dipped the cab, tubbed the rear wheel wells for 18" tires, etc. He was in a gas station filling up and some tree hugger with a Prius sounded off about fuel usage. He smiled and thanked her for buying an econobox so that there would be plenty of fuel left for him. Our family doesn't take getting poked without poking back.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

old man and old truck is a perfect match. I,ll have it till the day I die............

[Boog]

I feel like if ya have to explain it to someone they probably wouldn't get it anyway. Ya know?

[FirstOwner69]

When we bought the truck new off the dealer's lot in 1969 in southern California, I drove it to carry a large camper throughout the west and get to work. During the 70s and early 80s I drove it to haul building supplies for a cottage in northern Wisconsin, to get to work, to carry the camper and for hunting. It went into partial retirement in 1980 when we bought a '79 Blazer and later, an '84 S10 Blazer but was still used for the camper. It went into virtually full retirement in the garage in 1987 when an '86 Chevy 4X4 Crew cab dually and a series of other S10 Blazers, a couple Suburbans and 3 Duramax duallies were purchased. In 2010, to tackle an item on my bucket list, I started tearing it apart for a full restoration.

Since I completed the project in 2014, I drive it just because it puts a smile on my face as I relive all those great family memories! I can't think of of a better reason.

Jim

[BRL]

Great reasons guys!

I originally purchased it as a quad hauler, but now I drive it because I never get tired of all the complements I get every time I drive it anywhere these days!



I like this song!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTCnno-3EGE

[Tkmadone]

I get a great sense of satisfaction from driving a vehicle I have rebuilt. Every time I do something, like rebuild the brakes, for fix the steering, or just new points, the next time I drive it and from there after I just love it!

I truly feel sorry for people who don't understand that feeling and just look at vehicles as an appliance.

I also, like others on here, drive it for a bit of nostalgia. My dad, a now retired horse veterinarian, drove a '72 with a big vet box on the back for many years and I remember fondly going out to ranches with him in it.

[S_Gibson]

I'm not alone in my shear joy driving an old pickup! I just bought my truck a month ago, but I'm more excited driving the old '70 Chevy than any other vehicle I've owned. I sold a loaded to the hilt Nissan 4x4 because I felt guilty having a $25K+ truck I had to worry about getting a scratch on. This can pre-scratched!!!!

I had asked my neighbor over the last decade sell me his old Chevy and he finally offered it to me and for an unbelievable $1,500. It's rusted, dented, has paint falling off in places, but runs like a top and glides down the road. I find ANY excuse I can to drive it.

The wife and son thought I was being stupid buying the old thing. My daughter fell in love with it at first site and wanted it for her own. I tell them to cut the old thing some slack as I was born the same year it was. The wife is coming around to understand why I'm so stoked about it. She sees the old noisy rust bucket is a head turner and people often give us complements or make comment about it.

For $18 a month for insurance and $6 a year in personal property tax I can drive and maintain this vehicle must cheaper than the other 3 cars we own and smile ear to ear as I shift through all 3 gears

[toolboxchev]

Originally Posted by kcsa75

I'm old enough to remember when Chevy changed body styles in '67. I was only 8 or 9 years old but I thought they were way cool then and I think their way cool now. I think the 71-72s are the best looking trucks ever built!

I nicknamed mine the Honda Eater, secondly or first named: The Drunkard! Drinks like a fish and wanders all over the place!

That Old Fricken Truck has carried me for over 12 years now, I am blessed to have that rusty hunk of junk!

DRIVE! because they RUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!

[3757chevy]

I think it's mostly cause I get the best smiles per gallon .

[jumpsoffrock]

Old thread but definitely a good and important question to ask before buying old cars.

I daily drive a '56 Ford f100 I6 3 spd, slow and no AC, factory suspension.
I have a '67 C50 dump that brought me to this site.
I am looking to replace the F100 as a DD with my new 1972 C30 402 4 spd.



I know saying things like this could start a fight and I'm not trying to divide people, but in my observations I have experienced this: Wealthy people own old vehicles to look at and behold. Poor people drive old cars because we can't afford to drive an $80k diesel with heated seats and steering wheels and all the other nanny-state crap(lane change warnings, distance controlled cruise control, self parking, etc)


I don't DD and abuse my old vehicles because it's perfect and fun. I do it because I can't afford most modern alternatives--heck a new half ton truck with 4 doors is gonna be near $40k. Now I have a $600/month payment and I have to abuse it too?? no way.


People own old cars for different reasons. I drive my trucks because I have no realistic financial choice, firstly. Secondly, I dive them because I love them. But that is an afterthought.
I don't need no sympathy, I choose the life I live and the job I have. I could work harder and get one of them fancy $80k things, just like anyone else.
Please don't take my post like I think I'm incapable of changing my life. I'm not helpless.

My 3¢

[HO455]

My answer is ALL OF THE ABOVE-MENTIONED! Being at work seeing my Burban in the parking lot right now makes me happy.
Thanks to the OP for a great thread. It's been a great read.

[lil hoodlum]

I drive my 1968 C10 as a daily driver, also have a 1968 C20 that I'll be pressing into daily driver status soon.

I enjoy the economical aspect as well as I can work on it and fix it when I need to. My C10 is an old carberated 327 with a 3 speed manual transmission and no power anything. No sensors, computers, or anything else to break down and need money & time to fix.

It does have it's occasional issues and maintence to keep an older vehicle on the road but I do enjoy driving it everyday. It has let me down only a few times in the 25 years that I've owned it. I think that is pretty remarkable.

[Big Kev-O]

I am a car guy all the way. I appreciate everything on 2 or 4 wheels, new or old. I like driving my truck because I built it from front to back, inside and out. Installed the motor, wiring harness, suspension and now working on cosmetics. It's a part of me now. Nothing greater than hitting the gas pedal and knowing you made it happen.

[tdangle]

Many reasons,

1. I just like the simplicity of it compared to newer trucks.
2. No one comments on newer trucks, everywhere I go I get thumbs up and people asking about it
3. Brings back memories from my youth (This is dad's truck bought new, now mine)

[Davidf]

Because, I fixed the rust, repainted the entire truck, sprayed in a bed liner and swapped in a Vortec LS/4L60e, Flowmaster exhaust, and upgraded the a/c. Now, it is fun to drive, comfortable, reliable, fast, sounds good, and turns heads. But, most importantly, I did not make it a garage queen like my 52 3100...so, it gets used as a truck. My son loaded it with tree branches and hauled to the recycling center just the other day.

[Carl Spangler]

I use my 71 (about 1K miles/year) for what it was designed for. i.e. hauling big/awkward stuff. I enjoy driving it and getting lots of thumbs-ups but would never consider it primary transport vehicle primarily due to poor safety/crash worthiness of the truck. Even with 3-point harness these old trucks are virtual suicide machines at modern fwy speeds. JMO.

[toms68cst]

I like turning heads and getting thumbs-up. My truck has a lot of character and it brings be back to my youth.

[Resto-Rand]

I'm going to drive it because I just put tires, shocks, and mirrors on it. That and the fact I just sold my house and have one week more to be out.

I hope it makes it to the next house 7 hours away.

[special-K]

I guess my answer is because I always have. And I started because I like old trucks and in '73 I saw them as more classic yet mechanically equal to new. Then just kept on driving them. Always had them for utility and style

[72c20customcamper]

Cause 2x4s dont fit in the Chevelle