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1976 Chevrolet C10 Silverado V8 Short Bed

This 1976 Chevrolet C-10 pickup may look slightly tired in pictures, but it’s worthy of a closer look given its long-term care under one California owner and an extremely healthy options list. The seller notes he acquired it out of California and relocated it to Florida, and it’s now up for grabs on eBay with the reserve unmet. It’s also the preferred short bed design and looking at this picture, I’d have a hard time resisting the urge to lower it. There’s a healthy 350 V8 under the hood and just over 107,000 miles on the clock. Find it here on eBay where bidding has reached $11,100.

The Chevy does have the kind of paint flaws that likely won’t get cleaned up with even a robust detailing, so paintwork will be needed if you’re seeking a perfect body. Still, surface-level cosmetics aside, the body panels look nice and straight, aside from some trim that’s starting to droop. Factory wheels with white-line tires complete the OEM look, and the seller notes that this is the kind of truck that could be used as a daily driver without much effort. Still, as values of C10s continue to rise, it begs the question as to whether survivors like this should see the rigors of modern traffic on a daily basis.

The Chevy bears a hallmark of its past life in the lower right corner of the windshield, with a sticker from the California State Horseman’s Association. It seems likely the C10 was used on a farm, especially given the heavy duty options list: HD suspension, posi rear end, dual fuel tanks, power disc brakes, and a towing package. It seems quite likely this is a Camper Special model, as those options align with what the C/S left the factory with. The mirrors are another dead giveaway, as those are typically installed on trucks that will be towing a camper or have a camper shell installed in the bed. The A/C still works inside, but the dash, seats, and door panels are showing their age.

Short bed, 350, TH400, and A/C – that’s a pretty ideal options list right there. The seller doesn’t offer any details on maintenance performed while in his care, but does note that the truck comes with lots of documentation and other paperwork, including “…service papers.” The C10 will need a windshield and “…bearing of steering column,” according to the seller. Overall, there’s a lot to like here, and aside from my obsession with lowering everything, there’s not a single thing I’d change on this truck – drive it as is and never lose a dime of your purchase price. How would you treat this C10 – restoration project or daily driver?

Comments

  1. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    A decent and desirable square body but it needs some money thrown at it if you was it to look good. Paint and freshening up the interior will cost you a good bit along with whatever else it needs. It’s bid to $12,100 at this point and will probably go a little higher so if it was me, I’d go for the yellow and white ’79 Big 10 featured here on Barnfinds. That one is done and needs nothing. I like the ’76 but it’s nowhere near as nice as the ’79.

    Like 6
  2. Avatar Joe Haska

    I like these trucks, unfortunately so do allot of people, so it’s all about the math ,and how much do you like it. It seems that average retail on a nice C-10 ,is 25 to 30 K. This could be a very nice truck, but buying it at maybe around 15 K, when you have another 15 K in it, you have a very nice C-10 and it should be worth your investment. Buy this one or a finished one, it’s your choice, as I get older, Iam inclined to want the finished one.

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Steve R

    This truck was featured on this site a few weeks ago. The seller seems to have their reserve set too high. Personally, I think they only say this truck might make sense financially is if the buyer leaves the existing paint, details it, then replaced whatever interior pieces that need attention.

    Steve R

    Like 0
  4. Avatar mainlymuscle

    At half the money,I’d rather have this than the yellow one,and then do it MY way,but I have my own shop.I can see why others would prefer a done vehicle.My 76 Silverado shorty is a full load original black on red velour California truck,and it’s going nowhere !

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Blueprint

    Nobody bought shorties up here, except for the stylish stepsides. Probably why I always find short bed full size trucks so goofy looking.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Mike

    That’s not a1976 grill. Don’t know what the story really is. That’s not necessarily bad, but just be honest about what it is.

    Like 0
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      That’s a ’76 grill. ’73-’74 had the 7×10 holes recessed insert, ’75-’76 4×8 holes, ’77-’79 3×5 holes. The ’80 insert was unique for that year only with square 3×11 holes.
      These inserts will interchange between ’73-’80 however the earliest has a different center support and side brackets due to the recessed style. FYI the ’77-’80 inserts were the only available as repops until just a few years back

      Like 0
  7. Avatar Comet

    I’d take this truck over the yellow one. This seems to be an honest truck with its minimal shortcomings for all to see. I wonder what horror’s lurk under that thick yellow paint on that other square body shorty listed today.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar jerry hw brentnell

    question here? why is it you never see chev cheyenne pickups this year come up for sale? while we are at it , I had a 69 GMC custom 8 foot box 327, 3 speed on the tree, it had power windows ,air, tilt wheel, full gauge package, bucket seats with a box between the seats with the lid and a tooled headliner all in turquoise inside and pale blue outside, chrome bumpers posi rear end, , guess I should never let it slip through my hands , I bought it off the woman who ordered it new all factory nothing altered, rare truck? you tell me?

    Like 0
  9. Avatar jonathan m collani

    I have a 79 Sierra Grande GMC one ton camper special long bed with duals 3 on the floor with granny gear it has seperate seats and center console kind of fancy love driving it and hauling whatever oh yes a 350w\ headers and dual exhaust wonder if its a scarce model

    Like 0

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