Said to be from Wyoming and stored in a barn for years, this 1982 Chevrolet C20 Silverado diesel 4-speed has an interesting look, to say the least. It does look solid, though, and the seller says it just has a little touch of rust in the corners of the doors. They have it posted here on craigslist in La Verkin, Utah, and they’re asking $6,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
I wonder if a person could replicate the other side on this side? I like the look of the passenger side, but this side just looks like it’s had bodywork done. Or maybe that’s good, it would force a person to just finish it and paint it as it would have looked when it was new. This is one solid-looking truck; just fix those rusty corners on the doors and paint it yourself, the Todd Fitch way, as in just figure it out and do it. It’s missing most of its trim, and it’s a tough one to know how to redo this truck, if at all.
The third-generation Chevy C-series pickups were made for model years 1973 through 1991 for a good portion of the globe, but some countries got them earlier and/or later than that. Short-bed trucks get most of the love these days, but this is a truck-truck, as in what most people would consider a real truck. This one could literally be used for actual truck duties, and that diesel engine (I know, it’s expensive now) would provide more than enough power for most uses. Here’s what it looks like with the tailgate down. Room-a-plenty, and looking solid.
For being a top-trim level, this Silverado sure doesn’t look like anything in 2026, and that’s probably a nice, refreshing change. The seat fabric looks faded, and I don’t recognize that as one that’s in a 1982 Chevy truck brochure, but maybe it’s original? As with the exterior not being perfect, the interior has a few needs if a person were going to make this one look like new again. But I think in this case, with Hagerty’s top value being $14,200, it’s not worth restoring this truck, so I’d just keep it maintained and maybe pick away at it here and there, making it a bit nicer as time goes on. The cool part inside is the 4-speed manual transmission. There’s also a new windshield, new window seals, and new window felts.
The engine is much cleaner than I thought it’d be! This is a 6.2-liter (379-cu.in.) Detroit Diesel OHV V8, which this early on would have had 130 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by the 4-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels, the seller says it has “new starter, new alternator 105 amp, new glow plugs, new injection pump, new heater core 2 new HD NAPA batteries.” Also, it has dual tanks, runs great, and gets 26 mpg to offset the price of diesel right now. At $2,000 under Hagerty’s lowest value, this seems like a good deal to me. Any thoughts on this C20 diesel 4-speed?
Sillllverado( to the tune of Desperado) and a high 5 to the author for another truck, to help steer us away from another Challeng,,,oops, I mean, um, I know, the staff can’t win. The truck features are great.
Another “good old truck”, whatever happened to that? Today, do trucks really have to be these masters of wizardry, when all we wanted to do was haul rocks. I got 2 words on that,,,Right Here. This is what a truck should be, combining years of refinements, but can still haul rocks and whatnot. You going to haul a load of firewood with your new Silverado? At $50 grand, wasamatter you? And I have news for you, this would do a better job.
Now the Achilles heel, the diesel. I know,,,”I had a buddy with xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx miles on one”, and yes, it was entirely possible. However, for the mainstream public, a diesel was a PITA. Typically, the only ones with a diesel pickup then, were trucking companies as a parts chaser. ( with their own fuel pump) In ’82, not every station had diesel, and you had to get fuel at those disgusting, urine soaked truck stops. Winter added a host of issues, and trust me, the gas job is just more civilized. Then there’s the cost,,oh boy, $6.69/gal by me. Haven’t seen too many of those punks in their smoky RAM pickups lately, HA! Nothing stops a RAM, eh? How about no fuel? Sorry,,,in a situation like this, probably not a deal breaker, and to end this in my usual demeanor, someone coming from a new Silverado to drive this, will be in for a rude awakening,,,”Oh, it was awful, father, a death trap”,,,and so on,,,
57,000 really, really hard miles
Thick smelly fuel doesn’t look so good any more, does it boys? I see these slow minded types driving 17 ton PUs with stupidly exagerated tires, jacked up to Heaven, sporting illegal black tinged exhaust, and an obviously illegal muffler. ALL of them run that special mixture from the oil barrel. How much longer at these prices can they stay on the road, unless McDonalds gives them a bump in pay? Meanwhile responsible citizens drive Corollas. It seems like some of societies worse demons were called upon at crossroads by some of our least productive members. And for what did they sell those souls for, diesel trucks? Old Dan made some good deals with the slower minded people.
I am really glad you wrote this up Scotty. I have only seen ONE other truck equipped like this one, with the Diesel and the 4 speed OVERDRIVE transmission in a 3/4 ton. I had a neighbor 30 years ago who worked as a mechanic for Detroit Diesel in Lodi NJ . He had a two tone brown 3/4 ton 2WD Diesel with the 4 speed Overdrive. . I still remember him, he had glass packs on it and it sounded great. These are geared a bit on the high side, no Creeper Gear here folks The good General was looking for fuel mileagewith these. The 4 speed Overdrive was actually sourced from Chrysler Corp. I’m willing to bet dollars for donuts that Geomechs has probably come across one of these. I’ve seen this setup in a half ton Chevy or GMC a few times, but on a 3/4 ton? That’s rare. This is what happened to that shade of blue from GM Chrysler and Ford. It looks like its got good bones overall. I’d restore it to stock, just for the simple fact that its rare and unique. Thanks for the great memories Scotty. This is great.