Jump to content

California Special?


Recommended Posts

So i bought a 72 620 yesterday that was parked 19 years ago. The guy told me his friend willed him the truck and it was a "California Special". The cab is cut through to enter the bed. He said the guy bought it in California after it was built and drove it till 1998. To be honest i bought it for the parts i wanted. I'm interested in What anyone here can tell me. Should i tear it apart? It's in pretty good shape considering. The canopy is awesome and all the glass is there.

Someone swiped the battery and spark plug wires shortly after it was parked. Wondering if it will fire up?

Give me all the info you've got boys.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
  • Replies 20
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

So i bought a 72 620 yesterday that was parked 19 years ago. The guy told me his friend willed him the truck and it was a "California Special". The cab is cut through to enter the bed. He said the guy bought it in California after it was built and drove it till 1998. To be honest i bought it for the parts i wanted. I'm interested in What anyone here can tell me. Should i tear it apart? It's in pretty good shape considering. The canopy is awesome and all the glass is there.

Someone swiped the battery and spark plug wires shortly after it was parked. Wondering if it will fire up?

Give me all the info you've got boys.

 

It's got potential.

 

Put a fresh ignition set in it, a battery and fresh gas and give it go.

 

You may just wind up with a new shop truck.

 

Scuff it down and clearcoat it for the 'patina'.

  • Like 2
Link to comment

That was a somewhat popular thing down here in Socal in the early 80's.I mostly saw it on Toyota's though.I worked at a fiberglass place that made camper shells and what they used to call a "sleeper" which was a camper shell that only used up about 1/3 of the truck bed.People would cut their trucks up and bring them in for the shell installation.

  • Like 4
Link to comment

The emblems themselves are rarish, looks to be all there a little bit of clean up all around and you can have a nice 72 620.

 

Funny thing is I had a 72 similar to this that I ended up finding out the cab was cut similar to this after I sold it. It's now on its way to being almost finished as a restomod.

  • Like 2
Link to comment

Half year models are considered the next model year. The earliest 620 was March '72 (car number 000001) The '73 model year (then) was Aug '72 to Sep '73 being the beginning of the '74 model year. The model year bounced around for a few years and then steadied at June of the previous year.

 

Check the door tag build date. anywhere up to Sep '72 is a '73 model year. If you order parts for a '72 you probably will get them for an earlier 521.

  • Like 4
Link to comment

That truck looks like it was built up during the late 70's early 80's. And has the famous "Fontana Trucks" Big canopys and only fender flares in back. They probably call it California Special because that where the fad started

  • Like 4
Link to comment

I don't care for 620s in general  but i like the look of the "style" they were going for... Or,,,  it had

 

 

Get yourself some 295/60/15 tires on 10 inch rims for the back and that thing will come back to life right quick

  • Like 1
Link to comment

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.