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Hugger Orange Shorty: 1976 Chevrolet C10 454!

Chevrolet’s C-10 trucks are becoming more and more desirable among collectors, especially in the short wheelbase and single cab configuration. This 1976 Chevrolet C-10 that’s available here on eBay not only fits that criteria, but it also sports the eye-catching Hugger Orange paint color and uses a 454 cu.-in. V8 engine.

This C-10 is available in Baytown, Texas with a clean title. There isn’t too much history about the truck, but from the advertisement, it shows that this truck is ready to drive.

The seller does disclose some imperfections with the body of the truck, which include rust spots inside the bed and the passenger door. This example left the Flint, Michigan manufacturing plant with the Hugger Orange paint color, but it received a paint respray at some point “a while ago,” and it also has a suspension drop kit, with the front lowered 4 inches and the rear lowered 6 inches.

Inside the well-kept cockpit, the orange theme continues. The ad states that the interior is new, which implies the carpeting is new and also that the bench seat is either new or reupholstered. Unfortunately, the seller mentions that while the air conditioning system is new, a loose ground wire prevents it from operating, so the next owner will need to dive in and determine the accuracy of that claim if they desire a cool cabin on hot days.

Though the seller estimates the body has between 113,000 and 116,000 miles on it, the 454 cu.-in. V8 engine was recently rebuilt but they do not specify the miles traveled since its installation. The engine pairs to an automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels, and the seller notes that there are no mechanical issues with the truck.

At the time of publication, bidding for this truck is at $12,500. Would you purchase this distinctive C-10 or would you pass it up?

Comments

  1. Avatar bobhess Member

    If I was in the market I would certainly buy this truck. In good condition for it’s age and the modifications fit my idea of what these guys should be. Nice truck.

    Like 5
    • Avatar PJH

      Well said bobhess. Nothing more to say.

      If only it was 4WD as far as I’m concerned.
      Wouldn’t have to change a thing if it was.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Joe Haska

    This appears to be a very nice example of a very popular truck. I think the bidding is going to go up before it sells.Jo

    Like 0
  3. Avatar John B

    Wrong grille for a 76, that one came from a 73-74 model. I’d be curious as to why.

    Like 3
    • Avatar George P

      It says on the plate 09/75 I am just wondering if the reason the grill is not right is that they had some left over 74&75 grills and just used them on the next year production models??

      Like 0
      • Avatar Daleone3

        Could be but the tabs may have broken off. The tabs are not sturdy at all, three of them broke on my 83 so not really that uncommon but could also be as you described.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar bry593

    The biggest problem with these trucks are that they are rust magnets. You may not see it now, but that is probably due to a bondo job from the last sucker wax. Front and rear fender quarters, bottom of doors, floors at kick panels and rockers, bed inner fender to bed floor, front of hood…. You name it, these trucks have probably got rust there. Funny though is that when GM released this design, the “double wall construction” was supposed to help fight this problem. Ha, fail! They also called this design the “rounded” design. Ha, fail again. Everyone now calls them “square bodies”. LOL!!!!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Daleone3

      True, tough to find a clean one or one that has not been mudded. The bottom of the doors are a good indication of other potential issues or past issues, I would want to see the undercarriage. The doors usually look better than that so I assume the bottom of the fenders or rear wheel openings had some issues at some point. Having said that, it is the right combo, big block, lowered but one should be prepared for some unseen imperfections when they take delivery of this one. Market is strong for these, I am sure it will sell for more than I would pay for it.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Steve R

      It depends on where you live. Rust free trucks from this era are still a common sight, most of which have spent decades parked in driveways and on the streets. That’s one of the few advantages of living in California besides the ability to easily find great ethnic food.

      Steve R

      Like 4
    • Avatar David G

      No rust on my ’78 GMC pickup, not even a pinhole anywhere. California is a salt free state. Salt plus steel = rust, regardless of vehicle or manufacturer. This one has rust showing inside the doors, per the e bay photos. Well equipped except for the lowering kit. Biggest drawback is the lack of dual tanks. The short beds fuel tank is only 16 gallons, making dual tanks a must-have option even for the 350 equipped trucks.

      Like 1
      • Avatar George P

        You can live in a salt free State but if you live close to the coastal waters the vehicles I saw there had rust on the Hood, roof, trunk lid and the top of the fenders the Ocean spray is ruff on all vehicles especially if the parking lot is that close to the Ocean like ours was, But hardly any rust along the rocker panels though when I was stationed in Virginia.

        Like 0
  5. Avatar bobhess Member

    Said this before, bought a new ’72 Blazer off the dealer lot and 8 months later a rusted chunk of the passenger door fell out. Double walled it was but the inside of the double wall was bare metal. Wound up with everything off the frame that would come off to repaint and rustproof.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Tom Bell

    Something ridiculous looking about a lowered pickup (any vehicle, actually). Too bad.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Jan Delahoussaye

    Is it still for sale if so location

    Like 0

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