This 1979 Chevrolet C10 pickup features a few different options packages, including the “Big 10” kit and the Bonanza trim line. It’s got 72,000 miles on the clock and looks pretty clean in the photos, even if it isn’t perfect. The C10 is a looker no matter the year, it seems, which certainly explains why their values have held up so well. The seller doesn’t say much other than to mention that the Chevy is sold in as-is condition, but given how clean the body and interior appear to be, buying with no guarantees is hopefully a safe bet on this example. The Chevy is listed here on eBay with bids to $1,650 and no reserve.
The Big 10 is a curious thing, marketed in a very specific manner that allowed Chevrolet to sell a proper half-ton pickup truck without catalytic converters. It was a smart move, as the government realized that most consumers were buying trucks in the half-ton range (as opposed to the three-quarter-ton trucks), which meant that costly emissions equipment and retrofits would make these models more expensive to sell. So, you’d end up with protests from consumers as well as the manufacturers, and thus, the requirement for catalytic converters was bumped up to the bigger models. It’s a novelty at this point, I suppose, but one you don’t see too often.
And truthfully, there may be more of these running around than we think, but the fact that the stickers on the edge of the bed can easily be coated over when a respray is commissioned makes it impossible to tell. The Big 10 did get a few nice hardware upgrades, including 3/4 ton rear springs, five lug axle, two-piece driveshaft, bigger rear brake drums and shoes, heavy-duty front brakes, dual-diaphragm booster, and a few other hardware improvements. But really, the Big 10 is all about the lack of cats and minimal additional emissions equipment, and you have to be a C10 fanatic to likely appreciate these hidden improvements. The seller’s truck looks mint inside, with a nicely preserved bench, door panels, and instrument binnacle. I thought the Bonanza option would get you fake wood trim, but I could have that confused with another options package.
The seller doesn’t mention whether the truck is still numbers-matching or not, but it seems so straight and true otherwise that it’d be a major bummer to find out the original mill had been replaced. The aftermarket air cleaner deters from the otherwise untouched appearance of the Chevy, but that’s an easy fix. This C10 is listed with no reserve, so bidding is quite cheap and could stay that way if no one else raises their virtual paddles. The Big 10 trim won’t matter to most observers, but it will be a win for the C10 collector who hasn’t managed to land one of these for their collection of domestic pickup trucks.
Hmmm, 2 things here. Perhaps I’ve given the folks in California a bad rap, OR, this is a misprinted price. If it is the former, I’m not so FOS after all, and if the latter, and the “squarebody hype” is true, the vultures SHOULD be jumping over each other to get it. It has an alleged 21 bids, and “only” up to $1700,,you tell me who’s full of it. I’m not a total grump, and I truly feel sorry for someone that spent way more than this for one. Thanks to Jeff for bringing us back to earth.
That’s how auctions work. It’s obvious the auction opened with a low bid, and with three days left nobody is going all in on it right now. It’s up to $2900 on 31 bids… but three days left. This is a nice squarebody and it’ll bring good money.
I’m not educated on these pickups but if the air cleaner is the only non-original engine part was the red hose a factory option or standard equipment? And less than $2,000 for this seems a steal!
Oh no, the great red heater hose debate goes on,,,
I had a 78 GMC High Serria Classic the same paint and interior as this. Was a fantastic truck
Apparently seller is a dealer (looking at the eBay listing). This is not necessarily a bad thing in view of his/her 100% seller rating.
eBay ad says “32 years of ownership”; license plate is from WA with 2000 expiration sticker.
So basically this is just like the 1500HD Silverado from the GMT800(‘99-‘06) generation? The 1500HDs were basically just 1/2 tons with 3/4 ton chassis, suspension, and brakes.
Not quite. That was the result of (perceived?) demand for a heavier-duty truck without “Heavy Duty” styling. This predates *that* nonsense and was beefed to a 6000lb GVW without resorting to things like a full floating rear axle that the “regular” 3/4 tons got. This one’s a longbed but the Big-10 was also available as a shortbed which C20 and up were not.
Other than being an end run around regulation, it also may have been useful for someone who carried a slide-in camper but only a couple times a year over short distances. A normal C10 would sag alarmingly under such a load.
at $4,050 now
It ain’t no gentleman Jim
Up 2 $5200.00. Which is still a bit light.