Here it comes: the P word! Yes, we have a truck that certainly qualifies for the patina award, and it has a few other things going for it that make it desirable beyond just the genuinely aged condition. This 1966 Chevrolet C10 pickup is a desirable big back window model that has been sitting since 1985. The truck also sports some cool details you don’t see every day, like a vintage brush guard, camper shell, and old-school spotlight on the A-pillar. There’s lots to like if you check out the listing for this barn find ’66 here on eBay where it has attracted bids to just over $2,000 with no reserve.
You can find a truck with rough and faded paint that points to a life of regular use, but it’s far harder to find one that was accessorized in period and retains all of those features. This C10 was clearly parked in the middle 80s and not touched since, as you might typically see a truck loaded with goodies lose those components that can easily be swapped over to a model still in use. About the only thing it’s missing is one of the four hubcaps, and all tires incredibly still hold air. While it does have rust in the “usual places”, according to the seller, it doesn’t look like a rot bucket.
It’s located in Clovis, California, so hopefully whatever rot it does have is minimal at best. The camper topper is a treat, and I always wonder if it was actually used for camping or just for safe stowage of whatever needed to go in the bed. Based on how many cars and trucks were outfitted for camping use in the 60s, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the bed was actually used as a bed at some point. The interior is in shockingly nice condition with a gorgeous red vinyl bench seat; the color combo of this truck is intriguing with the faded peach exterior and the cardinal colors inside. It is a 3-speed on the tree which is hooked up to a durable 283 V8 that isn’t locked up.
I’m always intrigued by period accessories, and wonder which catalog that brush guard came out of. This was an era when manufacturers didn’t have glossy accessory brochures with pages upon pages of additional equipment you could buy, so it either came from a small-time aftermarket outfit or was fabricated by a previous owner. The 283 V8 of this vintage could be had with a few different power options but I’m guessing this one was around 170 to 185 b.h.p. at this point in its evolution, but I’ll defer to the C10 experts to confirm. Regardless, this looks like a great truck to simply restore mechanically, fix any risky rust, and then – just drive it.
Rust bucket.
Don’t you mean……. Patina Bucket???
Sorry, just had to do it.
That being said, I’m with Jeff. I really like the period accessories, that cap is something you’d be hard pressed to find today, in any condition. The interior is a step up from the typical work trucks of the era with chrome trimmed pedals and the Deluxe steering wheel with horn ring. This just might be a solid restoration candidate.
First of all it’s a 1964 not a 1966. Emblem on the fender and the VIN make that obvious. The gas/brake/clutch pedals are old cal-custom pieces. Seat was obviously recovered in non-original red vinyl. As far as options go it was reasonably well equipped. 283 V8/3-spd, deluxe air heater, custom cab, wipers with push button washer(could be single or two-speed) gauge dash and arm rests. Cute truck but I’d want to see the thing in person as rust on those could be heavy in the cab floor reinforcements. And the non running state would require a careful inspection. Love those trucks. My highschool ride was a 1965 C-10. It has the small back window as it was preferred to having the sun beating through the back glass on your neck in the summer! 😄
I would scrap the canopy before I even tried to get it running cool old truck I think it would be fun just to get it back on the road to scare those guys driving around in the pavement princess trucks
Pavement Princess, I like that! LOL!
Love your comment- pavement Princess!! I’ll be using that for sure!
Awesome find!!!! Off shipping was not so expensive I’d get this in a heartbeat (of America)!!!! Id get it running, get the brakes working properly, solidify any weak spots and drive here April thru October everyday! Camp in the back for those weekend trips dirtbike riding up north! Yes, this trick is perfect for $2500!!!!
$2500. That’s funny.
These are very sought after in my neck of the woods.
Rust isn’t much of an issue when the rockers are being repopped.
Make it stop, make it go, make it legal; I have sold 6 for a healthy profit, just doing that.
I have 8 more I am keeping as my purpose built fleet; from a work truck to a Cruiser.
The days of just throw it away are over.
Parting it out is not an option, there are more parts than platforms.
These trucks are easy to build. Do a side by side on your brake builds.
My 64 C-10 has the brakes of a 71 G-20, AKA: the heavy half.
Built correctly the truck will out live you.