A rare find

[Buzz268]

I'm sure since many of you here are Chevy guys many of you know about older chevy trucks. And I'm sure some of you know about the ever elusive oh so rare long bed stepside truck. For those that dont let me explain. Up until around 1981 or so Chevy produced a truck that had the longer 8 foot bed, but in a stepside arrangement like the smaller 6 foot bed. Trucks with these beds are very rare because it was a very uncommon order option, and not many people had a use for these beds. Many people over the years have said the best place to find these trucks is the midwest, because the vast majority of trucks with these beds are former farm trucks. Well, aparently that theory is true. You see, in my small Kansas town there is a towing company on the main street of the town. I drive by it nearly every day, and I usually glance at the vehicles parked next to it in the little lot. Many times I have seen a mid 70s blue chevy truck at the very back row of the lot parked next to the building, with another 80s chevy truck in front of it blocking most of the view. Well yesterday I noticed the 80s chevy had been moved away for whatever reason, and I saw more of the blue one for the first time. Sure enough, sitting right there was a long bed stepside, all orginal. Very dented up and somewhat rusty, but it was all there for sure. I turned around and went back to talk to the owner of the shop. I asked him about it and his reply was: "Oh that old thing? Ya that's actually my truck. I've had it since '85. Its got a little inline 6 and a four speed. Never liked it much cause of the engine, never had enough power for me." I told him how rare it is, and that he has a very very desired truck by many collectors. He had no idea what he had. Just thought it was another square body rust bucket. He has since moved it to the front row where everyone can see it and I'm sure someone will buy it soon. If any of you have been hunting for one let me know I'll get pictures and contact information for you.

[Elly Girl]

Why didn't you buy it and resell it? Sounds like you could have made a profit.

[The Dad]

Buzz........thank you for your honesty. Not many people around like that. You built yourself a good relationship with that shop owner.

[Buzz268]

I don't have the cash to buy it. And even if I did, I'm looking for something to take to Denver with me for college to drive while the camino is being torn down and rebuilt. Something that needs a rebuild itself isnt exactly what I had in mind.

[30Weight]

The US Gov't bought a lot of them back then.I think they were originally designed around a Gov't contract.Forest Service used them and I've seen some Air Force ones thru the years.The Hanford Works had quite a lot of them working on site back in the '70s and early '80s.Never saw many "civilian" ones.I have a '68 K10 "short/narrow" Stepside,been with me since '89.Former Police truck,still in the original black and white paint.Don't see many 4wd stepsides from that era still around.I get offers on it all the time,some for $erious money.I tell 'em they'll have to wait for the Estate sale.Great trucks,can't kill 'em and they don't even wound easily.

[Buzz268]

Very very true. Closest thing I've ever owned was a 78 that was originally a long wide bed but had a flatbed on it. Had over 400,000 miles on the body, about 210,000 on the second engine. Got it for free and put it in mud run after mud run. Something would break or ctach on fire every time, and we kept reviving it. Eventually it blew a head gasket and I had pumped enough money into the little 305 so I sold it off. It got torn down and eventually what was left was crushed. I still find parts of it on our local classifieds sometimes. Thanks for the info about the military, I never knew that. Maybe I should check around some of the local military base towns for more.

[Keyser Sose]

when I was a kid (this was late 50s-early 60s) growing up on farms, dad had a 49 chevy truck that was a 3/4 ton with the extra long stepside bed. It had 6 ft stockracks on it and we could haul 4 fully grown cattle to market in it at one time. Had a 300ci straight 6 and a 4 spd. Wish I had it now.

[Bryan59EC]

Even more uncommon was the GMC Longhorn.
71-72

This truck had another 9 or so inches added to the wide bed.
I've only seen but a handful of these overlength 3/4 trucks.

[464elky]

I had a 76 Dodge long bed step side in the mid 80's. Had to be the ugliest waste of metal that ever got 4 wheels under it.

[69 SS396]

I used to have a '58 long bed stepside and also a 71 Longhorn.

Neither lived long.

[jkk]

Their was a 71 Longhorn on Barrett Jackson about a month ago that went for 27000 big block with a four speed nice truck

[tophes84elco]

I don't think they're that rare as I have seen quite a few pop up on craigslist the past couple years and they were all under 4 grand in pretty descent shape. You just don't see them that often. Personally not a fan of any step side truck, think they're pretty ugly. Longhorns are very neat trucks though. I know a guy selling one that's mint, has 3 gas tanks and storage compartments on the box sides. Only wants 5 grand.