We’re going to have to use our imaginations as it relates to understanding just how close this 1985 Chevrolet S-10 pickup is to charging down the drag strip, as the seller claims it’s ready to go but doesn’t offer much in the way of insight as to what makes it a turn-key hellraiser. But let’s discuss the obvious, which is that pickup trucks used for drag racing are generally pretty awesome, and we’d love to see this one at our local 1/4 track. The paint is a bit tired and the wheels a bit dull, but that doesn’t deter us from wanting to know more about how this one is set up. Find the S-10 pickup here on eBay with a suggested opening bid of $10,000 and a Buy-It-Now of $11,500.
A long time ago when I was still in high school, a classmate had a tendency to rotate through any number of high-performance cars and trucks. Engine swaps were seemingly a daily occurrence, with everything coming in the school parking lot with far more horsepower than they left the factory with.
The one that always stands out to me was a neon-orange S-10 pickup, very similar to this one, that was clearly set up for drag racing. It was arguably much nicer than this truck, but that’s because he was a high school dude and your car or truck was everything to you. This truck hasn’t been kept up to quite that level, but it’s also hard to get an overall view of the S10’s cosmetic health based on the photos.
The interior certainly has the hallmarks of being set up for drag racing, with a full cage and solitary racing bucket seat. The interior hasn’t been completely torn out like some dragster are, so you still have the door panels and factory dash as opposed to bare aluminum panels and a custom dash with only the most essential gauges. In the world of drag racing, this truck has the appearance of being a safe, properly set-up drag vehicle, but certainly not a stripped-down creation whose sole purpose in life is to blast down a quarter-mile. This S-10 looks like it could actually be used outside of that environment if one so chooses.
No details are offered on the engine or even the performance tweaks it benefits from. This is surprising, as the stage of tune and the level of enhancements is what makes a drag car or truck desirable to someone considering getting into this form of motorsport (or adding a new vehicle to their fleet that could potentially notch them some more victories.) Perhaps this is a case of the seller being asked to let go of his track toy and making the most minimal effort possible so a certain spouse can’t cry foul when the truck fails to find a new owner. Regardless, for the opening bid and asking price, the seller may have to work a bit harder to convince potential buyers that this S-10 is worth every penny.
Jeff,
If you view the title pictured in the listing, note that it looks pretty new, and that the reason it was issued is listed as “Surviving Spouse”.
Quite possible that this was a toy which belonged to a dearly departed husband, and the widow doesn’t have the information you suggest which might be helpful to assure bidders of value. Simple things like the rear gear ratio may be unknown to the owner, so engine internals would be out of reach. (Raising eyebrows here) The patina on the headers suggest that they spent a significant length of time without getting hot.
Note also that the eBay lister has only feedback as a buyer, none at all as a seller. This appears to me to be a “favor for a friend” listing. Pretty good photos, considering that they were all taken in the garage. Anyone thinking of investing in this little beast would do well to at least have someone knowledgeable look it over closely. It may run, but safety items may be expired or outdated, tires may be old, etc.
Always liked S10’s but they had little legroom for a 6 footer like me. S10 Blazers fit me better.
It’s a pretty typical of what are now grudge night bomber. I’d say it’s been sitting a lot longer than 5 years. That will mean new tires and fuel lines plus the probable rebuilding of the carb and some other components. Around here with some networking you can find better track ready cars for around the same price. There are a lot of neglected race cars like sitting in the corners of garages and shops, I’d say $7,500 is more realistic if buyers are patient and willing to put in the effort to find a good value.
The tilt front end won’t make it easy to sell, that’s probably why it want mentioned in the ad.
Steve R
Here is the builder. Died March 2019. References to drag racing and long illness in obit comments. https://www.charleshmcintyrefuneralhome.com/obituary/Bryon-Hughes
50 man that sucks I’m 49 and starting to go to friends funerals…………looks like he enjoyed his short life👍