A 'virtual garage' of antique Chevy & GMC trucks from around the World

1970 Chevy C-20 Custom Camper

Owned by Bill Roberts Bolter # 16047 Wichita, Kansas

20 September 2007
# 2063

From Bill :

           I found this truck on September 3, 2007 and purchased it September 6th! Here's how I came by the truck. I’m an avid aviator. As such, I help crew local hot air balloon pilots when I can. This particular morning's flight was a “crew flight.” The flight went off without a hitch and we came to rest in the farm yard of the previous owner of my truck.

           During our post-flight rituals, I looked up and notice the bed of what appeared to be a 1970-era Chevy pickup. I proceeded to ask the land owner what his plans were for this truck. He told me he needed to get rid of it because he had two other trucks that were newer and he just did not need it anymore. He wanted to know if I knew of anybody that would be interested.

           After looking it over, I told him I was. The initial glance was "WOW!" The truck had hardly no rust. The bed / body were straight as an arrow. The engine compartment was basically clean (as clean as a 37 year old farm truck could be). The gentleman had to go do chores so I made an offer on the spot to his wife.

           By the way, did I mention, installed under the hood was a 454 motor!!

           A couple of days later, I went back out and visited with the farmer. I took the truck for a test spin and found out some history of the truck. The best that I know (without running a title history) I am now the third owner. The farmer bought it in the mid to late 1980's from the person who was most likely the original owner. The original owner replaced the 396 with the 454 (which came out of a 1973 Corvette), and had some body work done.

           I discovered the referenced body work after a more detail inspection once I got it home. The rear cab corners and a portion of the driver side floor pan were replaced, as well as the box. What prompted the box to be replaced, I don’t know.

           Even with the body work that had been done, this is a very sweet 1970 Custom Camper. The previous owner had rebuilt the engine about three years prior, and it purrs like a kitten! The transmission is solid as a rock, and the only vibration I get going down the highway is caused by the road.

           Here are some more pictures of the truck -- one from the driver's side. Notice not only does it still have the headliner, but it is in almost new condition, as is the seat! Even though it spent the last 20 years on a farm, it was taken cared of except for the occasional paint overspray that has collected over the body. Here's picture of the Service Parts Identification plate.

           So now it is the Medium Gold color that was available back then with white specs. I’m not going to tell you what I paid for it, except that I paid more to have my transmission overhauled in my 2002 Suzuki XL-7!

           If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Bill

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