Trailering mirrors, bumper guards, roof marker lights, “Big 10” script, and “Trailering Special” badges mark the visual clues that this Canadian Chevy was ordered up with towing or camping in mind, and the 454 big block and a long list of heavy duty options confirms that premise. The 1978 Chevrolet C10 Silverado Big 10 currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, where the remarkably well-kept pickup comes up for sale here on eBay The claimed original paint and a nearly perfect interior make it hard to refute the stated 59,000 original miles. At least six bidders have the C10’s value over $8000 as we go to press.
If you’ve ever built a house or factory-ordered a vehicle, you know how you can easily upgrade yourself into the poor house. This rig eschews creature comforts like air conditioning and power locks and windows, but you might be hard pressed to find an option related to hard use that was *not* added to this rig. Starting with the 454 cid (7.4L) big block “rat” motor and TH400 three-speed automatic, the option list goes on to include the Big 10 heavy duty suspension, dual batteries, cold weather package, trailering special package, and more.
Interior upgrades include the Silverado package, deluxe instrument panel, full instrumentation, tilt wheel, green cloth bench seat, and a carpeted floor. Fancy!
A factory fiberglass cap includes sliding window pass-through to the cab. Dual fuel tanks let you buy gas where it’s cheap and keep on truckin’ until your bladder cries Uncle. Two-tone paint, deluxe wheel covers, and wheel arch trim dress up the exterior. Personally I like the look of the 16 inch wheels and center caps on a big block truck, but this one is better prepared for a trip to the opera. Considering the long list of options, we might assume the buyer avoided the tougher 3/4 ton C20 and 1 ton C30 options to preserve a soft ride. With everything tight and updated, these C10s maintain an almost car-like ride even across railroad tracks and pothole-ridden roads.
I’ve seen a boatload of these pickups, and few had carpeting or a fine cloth interior like this one, let alone in such wonderful condition. Visually this C10 doesn’t scream “big block,” and most would expect a 350 cid powerplant until you roast the tires from a 20 roll, something no 350 of this vintage can accomplish with stock gears. My trucks have to earn their keep, and this one is too nice for me. How would you enjoy this well-kept rat-powered C10?
New carpet and seat mostly original…..Nice!
Just think, you could buy this truck, enjoy it until you couldn’t drive any more, work on it yourself if you had to, and not have an 84 month payment book.I am a Ford guy, but I always liked Chevy pickups of this era.. Great color, all the bells and whistles , and only 2 doors. It just doesn’t get any better.
Excellent write-up, as the current owner of this rig I can assure you that the interior, including carpet and seat are original and born to this truck. Good day all, pete…
Owned one of these. They’re great, but, they do drink the fuel!
This one has the necessary accessory which is;
Dual fuel tanks
This is a genuine diamond. Hard to believe just how nice it looks. They were notorious rusters here in Michigan. Looks just like the kind of thing you’d have seen back then. Biggest motor, 400 trans and all the nuts and bolts. Then they went ahead with 16 inch probably 8-ply tires. Double two-tone, cloth, carpet, gauge package, tilt wheel and an AM radio. Is that the trailer brake controller or an FM converter under the radio? I really like this truck. She’s a beauty.
This is a nice one, it’s definitely a tow rig. The duel fuel tanks are something you have to have with this drivetrain. Pull a 28 Ft travel trailer all day with ease. I like it and none of the electronics to end your day.
The beauty of this rig is you can detach from the 28 ft trailer and leave it at the
RV campground, and then drive your truck to, and in to, all the National and
State Parks. The same parks that prohibit large motorhomes from entering.
🎯 great rig, and super write-up Fitch 👍
Everything said above. I consider myself lucky to have one. The only enemy rust, I live now where they don’t. The second enemy a grenade launcher because not much else will kill it. The ten series do drive like cars. Infact mine has almost the same ride as my big 70s Impala convertibles.