Elite Dealer

1978 Chevrolet C20

Weaverville, California

$9,995

1978 Chevrolet C20

Vehicle Details

Make

Chevrolet

Model

C20

Year

1978

VIN

CCL248J120173

Body Type

Pickup Truck

Transmission

Automatic

Engine

350 v8

Description

1978 Chevrolet Cheyenne C20 3/4-Ton Long Bed | California Truck | 350 V8 | Contractor-Owned

Offered on consignment by Platt Motors, this 1978 Chevrolet Cheyenne C20 3/4-ton long bed is an honest, blue-plate California pickup with the kind of originality and character that enthusiasts appreciate. Owned for many years by a Northern California contractor, this truck spent its life working rather than being modified, and it s now ready for its next owner.

Finished in its work-ready patina, this Cheyenne presents as a solid project with what appears to be an exceptionally straight body. One of the first things we noticed was the clean sheet metal and solid cab corners – areas that commonly suffer from rust on square-body Chevrolets. This appears to be a lifetime California truck, and we found no obvious rust or rust repairs in the typical trouble spots.

Under the hood sits Chevrolet s legendary 350 cubic-inch V8, paired with power steering and power brakes. The truck carries current California registration through 2026, has a new battery, and appears to have been sitting for a much shorter period than the companion Ford truck on the property. While we have not yet confirmed its running condition, all indications suggest it may be an easy truck to recommission.

Inside, the cabin remains largely original. The bench seat upholstery shows wear and tearing consistent with decades of honest use, while the dashboard has a few age-related cracks. An aftermarket radio has been installed, and the door panels remain in respectable condition. The carpet is lifting in places, but the underlying rocker panels and cab corners appear solid.

Accompanying the truck is a substantial folder of original California service records documenting years of maintenance and repairs. Among the receipts are ignition service, valve adjustments, two camshaft and lifter replacements, replacement rocker arm adjustment nuts, oil changes, and other mechanical work performed over the years. This documentation provides an excellent record of the truck s long-term care and is a valuable addition for the next owner.

Additional highlights include:

* 350 cubic-inch Chevrolet V8 * Power steering * Power brakes * Blue-plate California truck * Long-bed configuration * Current California registration (2026) * New battery * Straight body with honest patina * Cab corners and rocker areas appear solid * Extensive folder of original maintenance records and receipts * Clean California title (per owner)

This truck belonged to a contractor who relied on it for work, so expect the usual bumps, bruises, scratches, dust, and wear that come with decades of honest service. Rather than detracting from the truck, they tell its story.

Whether you re looking for a dependable square-body to preserve, a weekend cruiser, shop truck, or the foundation for a full restoration, this Cheyenne offers an excellent starting point. The body appears straight enough that many buyers may simply choose to clean it up, service the mechanicals, and enjoy it as-is.

Vehicle Highlights

* 1978 Chevrolet Cheyenne C20 * 3/4-ton long-bed pickup * 350 V8 * Power steering * Power brakes * Blue-plate California truck * Current California registration through 2026 * New battery * Straight body * Solid cab corners and rocker panels * Extensive folder of original California maintenance records * Clean California title * Offered on consignment by Platt Motors

If you re searching for an honest, unpretentious square-body Chevrolet with California heritage, documented maintenance history, and plenty of potential, this Cheyenne deserves a closer look. Contact Platt Motors for additional photographs, a walk-around video, and nationwide shipping assistance.

Classic Chevrolet C20 Buyer's Guide (1960–1987)

Full guide
R
Robert Halloran
Classic Trucks
1960–1987
~3 min read
Updated Apr 2026
The C20 is the three-quarter-ton workhorse that buyers overlook in favor of the C10. Heavier axles, stronger payload, and lower prices make it the serious truck buyer's choice.
This guide covers
✓ 12-point inspection checklist
✓ Common issues & what to avoid
✓ In-person inspection guide
✓ Market pricing by year & condition
✓ 5 FAQs answered
✓ History & fun facts

Chevrolet C20 Market Overview

Based on 54 Chevrolet C20 listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

54
Listed Now
$16,972
Avg. Asking Price
1951–1986
Year Range
Price Position on Our Site - Below Average
This car: $9,995
Low: $6,495 High: $42,995
Transmission Distribution
Automatic 70% ◄
Manual 28%
Condition Distribution
Excellent 2%
Good 17%
Fair 13%
Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 54 listings →
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Classic Chevrolet C20 Buyer's Guide (1960–1987)

Most people shopping for a classic Chevy truck go straight to the C10, the half-ton, the light hauler, the show truck. The C20 gets less attention, and that's exactly why it deserves yours. The three-quarter-ton platform was built for work: Dana 60 rear axle, heavier leaf springs, higher payload ratings, and a drivetrain overspecified for the loads most buyers actually put on it. Same cab, same styling generations, same engine options as the C10. The differences are entirely in the hardware underneath, and those differences are in your favor if you need a truck that can actually do truck things.

What to Check Before Buying

✓
Rear axle identification , Identify Dana 60, GM 14-bolt full-float, or a lighter swap underneath
✓
Leaf spring condition , Check for broken leaves, worn shackle bushings, and proper arch height
✓
Towing stress inspection , Inspect frame at receiver hitch area for stress cracks or distortion
✓
Transmission fluid , Check fluid color and smell (dark/burnt indicates heat stress from towing history
✓
Driveshaft U-joints , Inspect for wear and play) towing loads accelerate wear
✓
Brake system , Verify full brake function (C20 drums must work properly under load
✓
Rear axle wheel bearings , Listen for rear axle growl changing with speed) bearing wear indicator
✓
Cab mounts (Square Body) , Check cab mount bushing condition for compression and cab-to-frame movement
✓
Frame rails full length , Probe frame rails at both kick-up sections for structural rust
✓
Cab corners , Tap and inspect lower door channel area for rust behind corner panels
✓
Bed floor , Assess original steel vs. replaced panels; check under the bed for frame rust
✓
Engine cold start , Listen for bearing or valve train noise; check oil condition on dipstick

Common Issues

Same issues as C10: cab corner rust, bed floor rust, frame kick-up corrosion, deferred mechanical service. C20-specific: leaf springs that have been overloaded over years will settle and lose arch, a flat spring pack means reduced capacity and poor ride, requiring rebuild or replacement. Full-floating axle wheel bearings require periodic repacking and can fail if neglected, growl from rear axle that changes with speed is a symptom. Brake drums on heavy-use trucks wear faster. Square Body cab mount bushings compress under years of load use, worn mounts allow cab-to-frame movement.

What to Look For

Apply full C/K frame, cab corner, and bed inspection. C20 specifics: identify rear axle type (Dana 60 or GM 14-bolt preferred over 12-bolt swap). Check leaf springs for broken leaves and worn shackles. On towing trucks: inspect frame at receiver for stress cracks; check transmission fluid for dark/burnt condition; inspect U-joints for wear. Verify brake system fully functional, larger drums must be in proper condition for safe loaded operation. Check wheel bearing condition on full-float axle, outer bearings require periodic service.

Price Guide

1967–1972 C20: driver $16,000–$26,000; show $38,000–$58,000. Square Body C20 (1973–1987): driver $14,000–$24,000; show $32,000–$50,000. First gen 1960–1966: $13,000–$22,000 driver. The 10–20% C20 discount vs. C10 is consistent, a reliable feature of the market representing real value for buyers who want the stronger truck.

Did You Know?

The GM 14-bolt full-floating rear axle has been factory-fitted in various forms to trucks produced into the 2000s. The C20 designation was retired in 1987 when GM switched to the C2500 nomenclature. Heavy-duty fleet operators (moving companies, farms, contractors) routinely ran C20s to 300,000–400,000 miles with regular maintenance, a testament to the drivetrain's engineering margin.

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