GM’s First Crew Cab: 1977 Chevrolet Silverado C20
Seemingly everyone enjoys Chevrolet’s “squarebody” trucks, but it’s very rare to see the combination of a crew cab and long bed. Indeed, this 1977 Chevrolet Silverado C20 that Barn Finds reader local_sheriff found here on eBay is a neat find, and this particular model was supposedly the first crew cab truck that General Motors built in-house.
This truck is available in Fenton, Missouri with a clean title. Though the truck’s history isn’t clear, the seller mentions that it was recently restored to factory specifications. Additionally, they note that this truck features the Camper Special trim package, which adds camper heavy-duty springs and shocks at all four corners, heavy-duty front stabilizer bar and more.
The exterior of this truck is very clean, and it features a neat two-tone paint scheme. It’s also a very long truck, with a 164.5-inch long wheelbase.
Additionally, the bed is extremely clean, and it features a protective coating that matches the rest of the exterior paint.
Inside the cabin, the blue theme continues. You’ll find dark blue vinyl and seating for six occupants, while the driver benefits from creature comforts such as power steering and cruise control. Unfortunately, the carpet shows some wear, but you can expect that from a purpose-built workhorse such as this.
There’s a 454 cu.-in. V8 engine under the hood, which pairs to an automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels. The drivetrain only has 77,005 miles on it, and it also features two gas tanks, which allow for a 40-gallon fuel capacity.
At the time of publication, bidding is at $4,827 with the reserve not met. Would you use this pristine Chevrolet truck as your next tow rig, or is this example better suited as a collection piece?
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now1 days$15,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now4 days$100
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now4 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now4 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now6 days$5,650
Comments
That’s the longest truck I’ve ever seen!
I agree . So long that it would take 2 dogs to bark at it.
The under the hood picture seems out of place considering the condition of the rest of the truck. I don’t see why people don’t clean that up along with the rest.
A dirty engine compartment is an honest engine compartment.
Ya, the bay doesn’t look bad at all to me – we have certainly seen worse.
Sitting too low for a hauler, no?
Seems to have been lowered a fair amount, which will limit its usefulness as a tow vehicle.
The 4-door C/K30 1 Ton (known as the 3+3) came out in 1973 and made until 1987. Maybe GM didn’t offer the Single Rear Wheel 3/4 Ton C/K20 3+3 until ’77…that could be possible. This seems extra long because it is clearly lowered (not to factory specifications) but it’s just a regular 4 door long box, very common as a C/K30 model. It looks good for what it is…I’d give it a thumbs up, but it’s not on my radar as a truck to want.
Suburbans, Blazers and 1-tons were made until ’91. 1/2 tons were still made in Mexico and Brazil till ’91.
They were made until 1991, 4×4 came out in 1977. With a few 1976 4×4 k20s.
Tank, I hope you are referring to 3+3’s, because a know for sure 4X4’s were had every year in the single cabs. A friend had a 454 4X4 8 foot bed 74′ and another a 76′ 4X4 step side w/350. I also thought that the FPL and other woods trucks had the 4X4, even in the 3+3’s. There is a difference in the chassis. They are a couple inches nearer with the 3+3’s for added strength for it’s extra length.
Gasoline, I must of bought one of the first one. I ordered it in late 72′ and didn’t get it until the end of 73′. A friend ordered a 74′ and we got it about the same time. Mine was a 3 + 3 C30, two wheel drive, 4 wheels not 6 and a 350 4 bbl. A much better running truck than the 76′ 3 + 3, duel real wheels and a 454 4 bbl. Only thing I see in this photo that’s different is, I had no brake booster, but power assist that ran off the power steering pump. Maybe because mine was a one ton and this one is a 3/4 ton. Most if not all 2 rear wheel 3+3 that I seen were Government or power company trucks.
You two are absolutely correct, the GM factory built crew cabs, came out in 73. My cousin bought a new 3/4 ton, 3+3 crew cab, 2 wheel drive in 73, to tow his race car.
In the 60’s and 70’s 1 ton and larger trucks, usually had pneumatic brake assist, instead of vacuum.
Unlike now, when every truck is a 1/2 ton, 5 foot box, 4 wheel drive, crew cab, in the 70’s the crew cab was only available with an 8 foot box, and only as a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. The first half ton crew was the F-150 that came out about 10 years ago. Also, in the 70’s 4 wheel drive was pretty rare, and was usually limited to construction and highway department trucks. If you wanted 4 wheel drive, you bought a Bronco or Blazer, while almost all personal pick-ups were 2 wheel drive. It was hard to find a 4 wheel drive truck, even here in the northeast.
I bought a new 3/4 ton C/K CC long bed in 76.
Is it 2wd? I mean it’s a nice looking truck. I do appreciate the crew cab these days as I have two little ones. But honestly I live in ny so if it is a 2wd then it may as well be a rolling turd. I mean you try and drive it in the winter and it’s certainly gonna roll. Sideways.
Do you see a diff under the front end? Do you see a transfer case shifter on the tranny hump? To answer your question yes it is a two wheel drive.
Grille is wrong, hub caps are wrong , seat covering is wrong. Seems kinda fishy to me
I wouldn’t call it fishy but it’s not correct. Grille is stock but painted. looks like door panels and gauge bezel have been replaced or painted too. They should be woodgrain like the strip in the steering wheel. I have a restomod ’77 C30 dually the same color.
Richard, if my memory is correct, the gauge bezel was black, but it had a wood and chrome glued overlayment that would fall off over the years. Glued mine back on several times. Mine was a Cheyenne. Just sold it 10 years ago to a lawn serve
Well; actually this grille is a repop as the OE version features an integrated base to mount the bowtie. Cheaper trucks (Custom Deluxe) originally came with black gauge bezel but faux wood dash trim. Posher trucks (Silverado, High Sierra) had faux wood dash bezel up to ’77; ’78-’80 aluminum. Usually these plastic pieces will brittle in a truck’s long life and be replaced with ‘incorrect’ bits as most will interchange ’73-’80
Grille is aftermarket and not even close, hub caps are 81 up. If your advertising something that’s the “first one” sounds fishy.
Nice looking truck with the right sized engine.
I had a 1980 C30 version of this truck, and although you get used to driving something that long and large, it earned the names of UAV (urban assault vehicle), and FAV, (family assault vehicle). It was a true workhorse when you had to carry people and cargo.
A common problem with these trucks, was iron worm eating out the cab mounts.
I hope it finds a good home.
Wish it wasn’t lowered. If this was a C30 at factory ride height, I’d be all over it. Yes, it’s long, but it’s a work truck. I’d add a lumber rack too.
It’s a 42 year old truck. It’s not fishy that some things are not correct.
Very true but they shouldn’t say it was returned to factory specs if its not.Just like the info of first year of crew cab when obviously it was not. Its just a older truck that has been freshened up.
Looks to a nice truck,but not correct factory spec for sure. What concerns me is the cab sagging like it has a bad mount.You can see it I the drivers side shoot from the rearward angle that the bed and cab are misaligned.
I can see where this might appeal to some to have as a work vehicle or for towing and camping but it does have it’s drawbacks. It’s ridiculously long (about 21 feet long) and loaded up with tools or camping gear and with 6 passengers, that 454 will drink fuel like it’s going out of style. However, it’s long enough so there should be plenty of places to add 3 or 4 extra fuel tanks, the two tanks it has probably won’t be enough for a long trip. Shouldn’t have lowered it, though. I can see getting hung up with it in a steep driveway or on a speed bump. You won’t be too popular with environmentalists for owning such a gas-guzzler, either.
While not a fan of the Square bodies, I can see having this just for bragging rights on length :)
I know a family who took a mid 2000’s Chevy Crew Cab and had a THIRD door section welded in……this might be longer..but not by much. Its a crazy truck world thats for sure!
We had one of these in the early 80s to tow my husband’s racecar. For a while, it was our everyday driver. I don’t recall what engine it had, but I remember the monthly gas bill for it was as much as our mortgage payment. I hated driving it because I am only 5′ tall and it had too many blind spots. It served its purpose and eventually went to the big wrecking yard in the sky.
It’s listed on the seller’s own site for $18,900. That is a long way from the current $5,400 ebay bid with reserve unmet and two days to go.
https://www.motoexotica.com/inventory/inventory/15277/1977/Chevrolet/CCS247B171556?detail_embedded=true&leadsource=Showroom%7cmotoexotica
AS I said earlier, I owned one for 34 years and it was not a parking lot vehicle or made for u-turns. I now own and drive daily a 4 door Dodge Ram 2500, but with a short box bed for that reason. The 350 one got around 10 mile per gal. and the 454 one got around 8. The 350 was a better ride.
Not “very rare” in abq at all. And a pain when they try to park in a normal space, even duallys.
Wow, where to begin. Grille is aftermarket, and hood has been replaced for starters. As others have mentioned, interior trim on dash should be wood grain, and the door panel inserts also, they have been painted black on this truck. Has J55 brake option, which has 12×2.5 inch rear brakes as opposed to J57 with 13″x3″ brakes. Not sure if J57 is available on 3/4 ton though, maybe a one ton only option. My ’78 GMC Sierra Classic C-35 (regular cab single rear wheel, 9000 GVW) has J57, and of course hydro-boost is used on one ton GM trucks starting in ’73. This truck has been significantly lowered. At least three inches or more, disabling some of it’s usefulness in hauling and towing. Great that it has the 454, the best way to fly with a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. Bed liner looks like Line-X painted to match the truck, but seems thinner than I am used to seeing. Perhaps a different brand of lining. Would make someone a great truck once the suspension is brought back to proper specifications.
Recently restored? I agree with the other guys about dirty motor being honest one,just wondering why if someone was to restore this beauty,why would they leave orange permatex oozing out of front intake gasket,and exhaust manifolds? Not to mention the frayed cruise cable, I can’t speculate on the spraybomb rebuild with the blue paint on the hoses of this big block rat wether it’s factory done like that or not,just curious why little things are the most neglected.
I have 4 of these trucks,all running and driving, all 4 are different configurations as far as drivetrain,love cruising and using them all. Good luck to the new caretaker!
“Bone Stock” is what the dealer is saying….just not right. Silverado was the top of the line in 1977 with the wood grain interiout accents like mine is and my 1980 3+3 as well.
They could have replaced the rear cab mounts so as the bed lines up with the cab. Common squarebody issue, takes 30 minutes to change and very cheap but makes a world of difference.
In the mid 70’s when I was in school here in North Carolina my Dad worked for Thompson and Arthur Paving company. Being a Concrete Foreman he had a crew of employees and his company vehicle was a Chevy Custom Deluxe 3+3 C20 4door longbed. 350 4barrel automatic, steering, Hydro-boost brakes heavy duty everything vinyl seats rubber mat no frills. It was bright red/white roof and wheels full red interior with the company decals on the front doors. They had a fleet of them for their Foremen and haven’t seen any since the late 80’s. I agree with everyone else about not lowering this one. Seeing it just made me think of growing up.
Looks great leveled out. I’d bag it to get it really low while improving the load carrying capabilities but otherwise a great truck with a misleading description.
Is it still for sale? And information on buying it please