Vehicle Description
This 1971 Chevrolet C20 ramp truck is a whole lot of practicality
wrapped up in a great-looking package that you can take to shows.
Imagine putting your prized hot rod on the back of this and showing
up at a Goodguys show this summer. Or just putting it to work
making some spare cash, because with a built big block Buick motor
and a heavy-duty chassis, there's almost nothing that it can't
haul.
We used to call these "street strechers" because they were a great
choice to rescue or haul a vintage car or hot rod, hence the
rescue-like "stretcher" nickname. Today, we're seeing more and more
vintage haulers at shows, either as show pieces themselves or as
vehicles that haul the actual show cars. Either way, this Chevy has
a lot going for it, not the least of which is its rugged look and
popular Chevrolet bodywork. Finished in hunter green, it's low-key,
but that way it doesn't take away from whatever you put on the
back. And since it's not perfect and sparkling, you'll never
hesitate to get it out and get it dirty doing some real work.
They've added a steel cowl-induction hood, which gives it a
slightly custom look, and you can easily see that a great deal of
money was spent detailing it when it was put together: the bed and
rails were painted to match the body, running lights on the cab
just look butch, and big chrome mirrors make it easy to handle. If
you're lucky, this truck won't steal too much attention from the
custom build riding on its back.
The interior is the same as most Chevy pickups of the era, simple
and well-designed. There's a newer tan cloth seat cover and
matching door panels, so it's far from crude, yet with rubber mats
on the floor, it doesn't mind if you get dirty doing some work.
Original gauges cover the basics, so they're joined by a pair of
built-in aftermarket dials to monitor the secondary functions. The
original steering wheel is OK, but could stand to be replaced,
especially now that high-quality alternatives are available, and
the dash pad has been finished in tan as well. Entertainment comes
from an AM/FM/CD stereo, so long hauls are never boring, and most
of the metal inside was painted to match the bodywork. A sliding
rear window makes it comfortable without getting too drafty inside,
making this a great highway cruiser!
You might think it odd to see a 455 cubic inch Buick V8 under the
hood, but in terms of torque production, there's nothing that does
it better. Rebuilt about 10,000 miles ago, it was correctly
finished in Dante Red, so it stands out in the engine bay, and with
a weekend of detailing, it could easily be up to being your show
vehicle if you have nothing else ready to roll. A few chrome
pieces, a new power brake setup, and a giant radiator with twin
pusher fans ensure that it never gets hot, even when it's working
hard. There are also dual batteries to power the heavy-duty winch
on the bed. The transmission is a TH400 3-speed automatic that
doesn't even blink at the heavy loads its asked to haul, while out
back there's a suspension that's obviously beefy enough to handle
the weight of an entire car on top. It cruises at modern highway
speeds, makes great V8 sounds, and like I said, if you want to get
attention, showing up in a rig like this will do it. Custom
aluminum wheels add to the trick look, and with a fresh set of
chrome lug nuts, it would really sparkle.
For not a lot of cash, you're getting a heck of a lot of truck. Put
it to work or use it to play, but either way, this Chevy gets the
job done. Call today!
