I’ve always had a pickup truck throughout my life. My first vehicle when I was 16 was a ’56 Ford F100 SB. Had 7 different pickups. 4 Ford’s and 3 Chevy’s, and I have to say that my lifetime preference is old Chevy’s and new Ford’s.
I currently have a Chevy Squarebody Big 10 that I’m pretty fond of. 1980 Silverado longbed with many options. PS PB PW PL AC and Cruise. A bit rare here in Michigan.
I purchased my ’80 Big 10 because it was so very stock. I thought it was completely stock until I eventually learned that the engine had been changed for an OEM replacement 350 at some time in its life. The paint job had been redone previously also. Not unusual.
I drove it home 400 miles on 25 year old tires. The engine had a slight miss at idle I couldn’t get rid of, but ran smoothly at 70 mph all the way. I drove it for about 3 years before I decided to freshen up the engine with a 383 stroker. The old engine turns out had a piston with a BIG chunk out of the skirt and totally worn out bearings. Reason for the slight miss I could never get out I guess. I freshened up the interior, got new tires and a tonneau cover. A little here a little there.
My trucks are drivers. That’s part of the reason I enjoyed them. The other part of my enjoyment is working on them. Good thing right?
(Previous pickups – ’56 Ford, ’74 Ford, ’39 Chevy, ’64 Ford, ’71 Chevy, ’98 Ford)