HomeMediaPick of the Day: 1968 GMC 1500

Pick of the Day: 1968 GMC 1500

Big-block shared with SS 396. Muscle truck?

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In the 1960s, the muscle car era raged on in full swing. Even pickup trucks received a boost in power as horsepower wars pitted automakers against one another. Model year 1968 was the first time that a big-block V8 became available in a light-duty General Motors pickup.

The Pick of the Day is a 1968 GMC 1500 short-bed pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Vonore, Tenn. (Click the link to view the listing)

Sharp eyes will notice the 396 badges next to the marker lights on the front fenders of this truck, meaning that its power comes from a 325-horsepower 396ci Turbo-Jet. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Turbo 350 automatic transmission.

“A gentleman’s truck that was originally ordered with all options,” the listing states.

This well-optioned truck was the recipient of a frame-off restoration and appears ready for shows or cruises. It comes from the second generation of the C/K-Series, dubbed “Action Line,” which was produced between the 1967-72 model years. Incremental updates were applied to aesthetics and engineering each year and, in 1968, all GMC and Chevrolet trucks received a standard “full view” rear window along with federally mandated side-marker lights at all four corners. Payloads were available for this generation on half-ton, three-quarter-ton and one-ton increments, with two available bed lengths.

Among the factory options shown on this vermilion truck are bucket seats, center console, tilt-adjustable steering wheel, air conditioning, AM-FM radio, wooden bed planks and several exterior trim add-ons. The houndstooth upholstery appears in nice shape, and the cabin is accented in woodgrain appliqué across the face of the dashboard.

The seller states that the BFGoodrich white-letter tires and shock absorbers were recently replaced. “Excellent handling and driving truck,” the listing concludes.

As for the horsepower wars, the 396 4bbl. was downgraded to 310 horsepower for 1969-70. If only we could have predicted that, 50 years later, many pickups would replace those big-block engines with smaller turbocharged powerplants or even electric motors.

The seller is asking $41,000 for this restored pickup from the muscle car heyday.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie is a Phoenix-based automotive enthusiast who has been writing for The Journal since 2016. His favorite automotive niche is 1980s and 1990s Japanese cars, and he is a self-diagnosed “Acura addict” since he owns a collection of Honda and Acura cars from that era. Tyson can usually be found on weekends tinkering on restoration projects, attending car shows, or enjoying the open road. He publishes videos each week to his YouTube channel and is also a contributing author to Arizona Driver Magazine, KSLCars.com, NSX Driver Magazine, and other automotive publications. His pride and joy is a 1994 Acura Legend LS coupe with nearly 600,000 miles on the odometer, but he loves anything on four wheels and would someday like to own a 1950 Buick Special like his late grandfather’s.

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