Fresh 350: 1977 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado Short Box

It doesn’t seem to matter whether your leanings are towards the Blue Oval or the Bow-Tie, we look to have your bases covered here at Barn Finds when it comes to the subject of classic pickups. Take this 1977 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado Short Box for example. It was parked in 1999 due to a mechanical issue, but the current owner has revived it and returned it to a roadworthy state. It is a solid vehicle that offers a wonderful combination of good looks, practicality, and excellent performance. However, all good things must come to an end, so the owner has decided to list the C-10 for sale here on eBay. It is located in Auburn, Washington, and while spirited bidding has pushed the price along to $10,100, this remains short of the reserve.

From a distance, this Cardinal Red Silverado seems to present beautifully. A closer inspection reveals a few minor dings and marks, but the overall condition remains above average for a vehicle of this type and age. If the buyer is seeking perfection, it wouldn’t be hard to achieve that with this classic. None of the minor dings would require panel replacement, while there is no rust with which to contend. It is conceivable that the buyer could tackle the repairs and a repaint in a home workshop, and if they possess respectable skills, the results could be pretty eyecatching. A couple of the smaller trim pieces sport some small marks and dents, but the rest looks nice. The original owner ordered the Silverado with tinted glass, and there is no evidence of flaws or problems there. The current owner chose to fit a set of Weld Wheels wrapped in some of BF Goodrich’s finest products. This addition adds a touch of menace to this classic pickup.

The original owner ordered the C-10 with a 350ci V8, a 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. He drove the Silverado in this form until 1999. At that time, the small-block developed a terminal knock, so the owner parked the vehicle. The current owner purchased the pickup fairly recently, and as part of the revival process, he slotted in a fresh 350. The original motor would have produced 165hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque, but the figures should be better with this one. I can spot an aluminum intake and a new carburetor, along with a set of headers. With gases getting in and out of the engine more efficiently, you would have to think that there would’ve been a few performance gains. The owner says the C-10 runs and drives well, and I can’t help but think that with the potential for a few additional ponies, it should be surprisingly quick in a straight line.

The person who buys this Silverado isn’t going to be faced with spending mega-dollars on the interior, because it seems to need nothing. It is upholstered in red vinyl, and there are no issues to report with the seats, door trims, carpet, or dash pad. The faux timber trim has survived remarkably well, as has all of the plastic. There is no evidence of anything disintegrating due to age or UV exposure, which is a victory in a vehicle of this type and age. The owner has fitted an aftermarket tach in the lower-left corner of the dash, along with a new wheel. Otherwise, it appears to be largely unmolested. It isn’t weighed down with creature comforts, although an AM/FM radio/cassette player, cruise control, and a tilt wheel should make life more enjoyable on the road.

This 1977 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado isn’t perfect, and for me, that is part of its attraction. It is the sort of vehicle that can be driven and enjoyed, and the occasional stone-chip isn’t likely to cause heartache. The healthy 350 under the hood offers the possibility of some impressive performance when the right pedal is depressed. Its overall condition means that I wouldn’t be surprised if the bidding sails beyond $20,000 before we hit the reserve. If the figure turns out to be lower, someone could be scoring themselves a great vehicle at a respectable price. If you are in the market for a classic pickup, maybe you need to watch this auction closely.