“Baseball, apple pie, hot dogs, and Chevrolet” was a popular advertising slogan for this company a few decades ago. Chevrolet was co-founded by a Swiss-born, France-raised inventor and race car driver who didn’t move to the United States until 1901, when he was in his 20s. This all-American 1973 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Stepside pickup is listed here on eBay in Troy, Montana, and the seller is asking $9,750, or you can make an offer.
Louis Chevrolet was born on Christmas Day in Switzerland in 1878. Moving to France with his father just before his teen years, he started inventing things, impressing those around him with his mechanical skills. A move to Paris in 1899 was followed by a move to Montreal, Canada, in 1900, and finally to New York City in 1901. A short decade later, in 1911, he founded Chevrolet Motor Car Company with his brother, Billy Durant of General Motors fame, and investors.
The rest is history, as they say. I have to wonder what Henry Ford, a man born and raised in the U.S., would have thought about Chevy’s advertising campaign touting its American idealism. All that being said, you have to admire and respect Mr. Chevrolet with all of his accomplishments, his skill, and his work ethic. That right there is something worth waving a flag about, in my opinion. Anywho, enough of that, let’s get back to this Montana survivor C10 Stepside!
The third-generation C/K trucks were made for model years 1973 through 1991, and would be the first generation to offer a four-door pickup for Chevrolet. I’m not a fan of the wheels at all, I’d bring it back to white steel rims and hub caps, but that’s just me. Otherwise, I like the faded glory look of this Catalina Blue half-ton C10 Stepside. Well, maybe not inside the bed, but almost everywhere else. Replacement wood bed kits are available, not to mention almost every part on this truck is available in aftermarket catalogs, so you won’t be stumped, other than when the credit card bills start rolling in.
Speaking of credit card bills, the interior needs a little help, but most of it is seat-related, and that’s a fairly easy and inexpensive fix. The headliner looks good, and there’s a bit of space behind the seat, but not much. The dash pad needs work, and I just watched a couple of YouTube videos from a guy who restores them by grinding out the cracks, filling them in with expanding foam, sanding it down, and then spraying a texture paint and a final coat. Or, send it to Just Dashes, as long as money is no object, right?
The engine is Chevy’s 350-cu.in. OHV V8, which with its four-barrel carb would have had around 175 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, and is backed by an automatic sending power to the rear wheels. Oddly, the seller doesn’t say one word on how or if it runs and drives, but I have to believe it does, as it’s shown in a few spots in the great photo gallery on their listing. Hagerty is at $5,600 for a #4 fair-condition truck and $15,300 for a #3 good truck: how much would you pay for this All American Chevy pickup?
Not a big truck fan but I like the flare sides. I drove a C10 in the late seventies when I was in the remodeling business but it had a six and a three on the tree. Nothing like this one. It has wood grain in the dash? Nice.
pretty beat up for the money. not fan of the late model wheels
One of the few trucks that would actually look cool slammed I’m amazed at the kind of money these square body trucks have been going for
Seldom see a step side with a premium trim package. Usually Custom or Custom Deluxe. Lots of patina but repop parts are plentiful. Didn’t like those wheels on the trucks they came on, not on this either. I’d drive it.
30 yr + prts interchangeability right there. One thing to remember
for maintenance’n repair. Just puda built 383 (’70s camaro) ina ’57. A
100 ci increase (4.6L – 6.28L). Guy uses it everyday (May to November). Still the divorced x-fer case & 4 speed on the floor. Since its gota granny (6:1? ‘yes’ if NV 435) he looks for a bigger rear gear…
I like the 3100 looks, square, short bed, step side, 4wd. A fav for lght duty truck (’73/9 F series beddah tho).
Good write-up Scotty, including the history of Louis Chevrolet. Truck needs attention but isn’t bad. I’m always a fan of short wheelbase step side half tons, they look cool to me especially when dressed up.
My cousin bought a new 1/2 ton step side pick up in 75 it was blue with white stripes and rally wheels. It came with a 350 with a 3 on the tree.
It was a sharp truck and if I had this one I’d be tempted to paint this one up the same as my cousin’s and probably put a 4spd. In it.
Price isn’t horrible. I see a lot of ads with people asking $20,000-$30,000. I don’t like any vehicle slammed.