Manufacturers produced post-war Pickups as workhorses. As such, they offered few concessions to luxury and comfort. That is not the case with this 1986 GMC C1500 Long Bed. It presents exceptionally well, and its interior looks like a place a new owner could spend hours without feeling fatigued. However, the upgraded engine and transmission should give it the muscle to tackle any assignment. Its most pressing need is a new home, with the owner listing it exclusively on Barn Finds Auctions.
The first thing to note about this Pickup is how beautifully it presents. The seller is the vehicle’s third owner, confirming this GMC received a cosmetic refresh in 2005. Its Light Blue and Slate Metallic paint continues shining impressively, indicating the work was completed to a high standard. There are no significant flaws or defects in the panels or paint, guaranteeing the Pickup will draw attention and favorable comments. The photos confirm there is no rust in any of the prone areas, like the cab corners. The underside is rock-solid, and the bed features a liner to protect it from scratches, scrapes, and corrosion. The wheels are an aftermarket addition that adds a sense of purpose to this classic without being outrageously oversized. The chrome and trim are as impressive as the paint, sparkling magnificently and reflecting like a mirror. The glass is spotless, and, as we will see, the positive first impressions aren’t deceptive.
The good news continues when we examine this GMC’s interior. The trim combination of two-tone cloth and vinyl looks classy, with the cloth seatcovers offering additional comfort on hot days. The seat shows no typical outer edge wear or other physical damage, while the carpet is impressively clean and free from issues. The dash and bright trim components are tidy, and a cover protects the pad from UV damage. The overall impression is that although it isn’t showroom fresh, the condition is exceptional for a vehicle of this type and age. A retro-style stereo covers in-car entertainment, while the ashtray recess houses the LCD to monitor one of the engine bay upgrades.
This Pickup rolled off the showroom floor equipped with a 305ci V8 and a three-speed automatic transmission. The VIN confirms the 305 was the four-barrel version delivering 160hp. That would have been adequate for most purposes, but it is irrelevant since the original engine and transmission are now distant memories. Occupying the 305’s former home is a 1998 Vortec 350 the owner had built and installed in 2020. The list of components hiding inside the V8 is impressive. They include a SCAT 9000 crankshaft, SCAT 6″ rods, forged flat-top pistons, and a full roller cam setup. The engine inhales deeply via a Holley single plane intake and a Holley Sniper 4150 throttle body fuel injection system with an in-cab LCD monitor. An upgraded HEI ignition kicks the mixture into life, while power steering and brakes remove the physical effort from the driving experience. Shifting duties fall to a new TH700R4 automatic courtesy of Browns Transmissions. The driver controls the unit via a Lokar shifter, which rounds out a tasty package. The parts and labor for these upgrades cost the owner nearly $8,500, but you can be sure it was worth it. The driver will undoubtedly have considerably more than 160hp available under their right foot, while the upgraded transmission makes it an excellent long-distance hauler. The owner says it runs and drives perfectly and will effortlessly cruise on the open road at 80mph.
This 1986 GMC C1500 Long Bed has much to offer a new owner. Its presentation is impressive, its interior shows no signs of the wear or abuse typical in this vehicle type, and the upgraded V8 and transmission ensure it will be a comfortable long-distance cruiser capable of hauling a full load. The hitch receiver means it could make an accomplished tow vehicle. It is worth noting that values on these Pickups continue to increase steadily. That means the winning bidder could slip behind the wheel of a classic that offers the ideal combination of looks and performance that is also a sound long-term investment. With summer fast approaching, hooking up a trailer for a relaxed vacation might prove irresistible. That seems like a host of reasons why submitting a bid could be a wise choice.
- Location: Spokane, Washington
- Mileage: 96,000 Shown
- Engine: Vortec 350 V8
- Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
- VIN: 1GTEC14H5GF701627
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
- Harris985 bid $5,600.00 2023-04-24 15:53:10
- Mick bid $5,500.00 2023-04-21 22:39:35
- Salish bid $5,100.00 2023-04-20 16:42:16
- Jeff bid $5,000.00 2023-04-18 13:10:49
- Luv Chevy. bid $2,500.00 2023-04-18 09:46:33
Nice truck. Had one like it many years ago. Too bad long bed.
I’m not a GM kind of guy, but this is exceptionally nice. I thought about purchasing it, as it checked most of my boxes. However, living in the “Hot, Humid South” (as Gordon Lightfoot rightly describes the climate to the south and east of the Appalachian Mountains in “Cotton Jenny”), Air Conditioning is a requirement for my better half. I REQUIRE the usually unloved Long Bed, as the short bed doesn’t have the Utility needed for my ownership: Even though I’m retired, my vehicles have to work for a living.
Good Luck With The Auction – I’m following this one all the way to the sale!
Love these square bodies, have owned some, great trucks and this one looks very solid. Excellent upgrades too. The steering column and the small brake pedal tell me it might have originally had a standard transmission, not that that matters now. Nice, rust free example in a great colour and thumbs up to a long bed.
This checks all the right boxes, except…it’s a long bed. Too bad, a short-bed version lowered slightly would have been perfect with this truck’s mechanicals. Fast and beautiful.
Will it pass CA smog ?