Parked for 20+ years, this 1979 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado in Coy, Alabama is back on the road and looking for a new owner. With its 454 cid (7.4L) V8, air conditioning, cruise control, leather bucket seats, and top-of-the-line Silverado package, this short-bed Chevy comes fully decked out. Unless you want power windows or locks, or need to load 20 sheets of drywall and close the tailgate, this C-10 has it all! The bidding here on eBay has eclipsed $4,400, and that number will almost certainly increase. Chevy discontinued the engine callouts like the “454” seen here after 1975, so someone fit an earlier grille (or just the callout) to make sure everyone knows this truck packs a potent right hook.
The fancy Silverado package included more trim inside and out. The big block short-bed C-10 appears to be a valid combination in 1979 according to the brochure at gmheritagecenter.com, mandating the heavier suspension for 6,050 lb GVW, which probably helps the cornering as well.
Optional leather buckets with console have seen better days but fared well for original equipment. GM’s two-tone black-and-white interiors make a classy alternative to the bold monotone color schemes found in many ’70s vehicles.
A replacement carburetor and door panels cut for aftermarket speakers comprise the obvious changes from stock. Having spent most of its life with one owner, this pickup comes with thorough documentation from new. Back in the day, I enjoyed some good times in a friend’s ’79 C20 454 Trailering Special. Don’t let the 230 HP rating fool you; these motors pack copious torque and represent a serious upgrade from the 350. Bury the pedal at 10 or so MPH and the tires will erupt into smoke. Once underway, top gear on the three-speed automatic will climb all but the steepest hills. Will you cast a bid on this powerful short-bed Chevy?
Nice truck.would look cool with an improved stance. An inch or 2 lower and level
Looks nice to me as an Authentic Original with period wheels, factory equipment, trim and paint, and good ol’ truck functionality. I am sure the numbers match also. Lowering the suspension, changing the wheels, ans otherwise “customizing” the truck would disable its ability towing trailers and hauling stuff. I really don’t understand the popular propensity to make a classic look…um…not itself. We wouldn’t take a 1927 Duesenberg Model J and lower the suspension, replace the original 7 litre Straight Eight engine with a 454, chrome out the engine room, and put flashy hoopie wheels on it, would we? Or even a late 40s into 1950s pickup? So why do this to a nearly perfect late 40 year old truck? Do that with something newer.
This truck is beautiful as it is, “concours d’etat”.
I agree totally.
That does not look like a short bed.
I’ve noticed that before, Nick. I think it’s something about the pictures.
It’s a 6 foot box. Maybe not short by today’s so called pickup standards but a short box in 79
Won’t be shutting the tail-gate after the drywall is loaded, unless of course you cut it, or smash it when closing gate 😂. Really cool truck though.
Not rusted? my dad had a 73 and the tailgate and other areas rusted out. That said, it never saw the inside of a garage. or perhaps even a barn. :)
Well optioned truck!! I still like the 68-72 better but there was a lot of these!! I see a lot of the younger generation driving them around!!!
I had a ’79 with the Scottsdale package and diesel 350 that we ordered. We got around 3 1/2 years and 65000 miles on it before it came up with 2 cracked heads that GM would not stand behind after they replaced and fuel injection pump and 1 head under warranty. It was a great truck, but the motor was crap that GM wouldn’t stand behind. Last GM product I ever bought.
Looks like a nice pickup. My brother had its cousin in GMC version. Like you said, tire burner. His was. Actually a 3/4 ton camper truck, and he had a huge camper on it. He was a construction superintendent and traveled a lot living in that camper. I guess it really wasn’t that much like this one, but it did have that huge engine with 4 speed granny.
God bless America