We don’t really have “basic trucks” anymore. The Silverado, F-150, and Ram…they all bloated to become way too big, luxurious, and expensive to really be a basic work vehicle. The notion of a small, cheap truck is only now starting to come back into the realm of possibility with the Ford Maverick, but General Motors abandoned that market when their Colorado and Canyon grew in size and accouterments. All of the basic trucks that were made were used as work vehicles, so precious few exist anymore. This 2001 Chevrolet S-10 is a reminder of a time long past, something we seem to have forgotten: small, simple, affordable, blue-collar, working vehicles. You can find it here on eBay, with bidding already past the $12k mark at time of writing.
What can be said about the truck’s condition? The thing’s mint, inside, outside, underneath, everywhere. No rust, scratches, dents, dings, abrasions, cuts, rips, cracks, or anything else awry. Time capsules tend to be like that. Inside, where you’ll be spending most of your time, probably, looks like brand new. I doubt that the rear jump seats have ever been sat in, not that they were comfortable to begin with (I speak from experience). Notably, however, is that the cheap plastics that GM from this era is known for look like brand new. That’s not something that can ever be said about high-use wear-and-tear items like window cranks and steering wheels.
Yes, it has window cranks. This is a true base model. Interestingly, you can still order a new Chevrolet with window cranks, and half of me wants to just for the sheer novelty of it. But anyway, back to the important bits. Underneath, there is no rust, and some of the original stickers are still present near the 4.3L V-6 engine. I see no transfer case or shift lever for one, so this, I’m guessing, is probably a rear-wheel-drive-only truck. If you choose to run this in the snow, you’re going to want sand bags in the bed. I’ve never driven an S10 in the snow, but I have driven a Grumman LLV in the snow, and those are based on the S10. I got stuck a lot.
When buying a time capsule like this, you’re faced with the ultimate decision as far as not-quite-yet-classics are concerned. Do you daily it, and use it for what it was designed? Or do you preserve it, so future generations can also experience the excellence of a truly small, basic truck? Whatever your decision, this S10 will perform flawlessly, as it would have twenty years ago when it was new.
I had the GMC version ( a Chevy with lockwashers) the Sonoma. This is a 2 wd and like all 2wd pickups, does very poorly in the snow. While added weight in the back does increase traction, it robs hp and gas mileage. I really liked the truck, except the anemic 4 cylinder ( btw, I’m aware of my praising the merits of a 4 cylinder, then complaining about the lack of power), a very poor 4cylinder, at that. With a preferred V6, the mileage of a struggling 4 cylinder, isn’t any different than the 6. Mine was a rusty beater, and eventually the frame broke, but even with a bad head gasket,( 2.2’s known for that) a product called “Mend-Tite”, which I’ve used many times, enabled me to drive that truck all over, even a trip to upstate NY,, the return trip we won’t discuss, well, okay, the truck was rusty, and the cooling lines for the transmission rusted and blew all the oil out and there I sat on the Ohio Pike with my ,,um, well, it was a hassle. Nice find, a very comfy truck, naturally, I’m surprised at the price, only reaffirming what I say all along, due to the lack of choices, people feel justified spending that on this.
As long as you remove the intake and install real gaskets and do regular maintainance,these run forever……..my 2001 blazer has gotten me thru 16 winters……400,000 miles…..oil changed every 3000-4000 miles since ive had it
I’ll see you got your money first out of your truck who 400 thousand Miles huh! But did you keep everything else maintained? As well
Yes sir……anything it needed over the years
If I could get mine painted is have the stepwise version of that truck except mine if the four cylinder version but my interior looks like tha
I had an Identical truck to this one, except two tone green and gold, which is a color I had never seen before on these and never have seen since. I loved mine and my only complaint was that the cheap plastic handles that adjusted the seat broke off all the time. I sold mine when I had kids and needed something with a real rear seat, but definitely wish I could have held on to it.
My guess is that this truck was purchased by a retired gentleman and was used daily to drive to the local doughnut shop at 6AM to pick up a newspaper and have a cup of coffee and a doughnut with his cronies. After he decided to stop driving, he kept the truck in his garage, and his children would occasionally take him for a ride in it.
What makes me so certain? Because my uncle had a very similar Ford Ranger. Occasionally, on my way to work, I’d stop by the doughnut shop and pick up a couple dozen to take with me. He was always there, and I’d sit down at the counter and have a cup of coffee with him. It was a wonderful way to start the day.
Looks to be in near-new condition. Where could you find a comparable new truck for this price?
It should just be used as a grocery getter (LOTS of groceries!), as it surely wasn’t built for 4 wheeling! (and don’t call me Shirley.)
Yes, that is a 2WD S-10. I’m basically obsessed with these trucks, including the Blazer. You can tell that it is 2WD because of the wheels. Those are a 2WD design and virtually smaller in every dimension compared to 4WD wheels. Also, the front axle is smaller on 2WDs than 4WDs.
Yes, that is a 2WD S10. You can tell by the style of wheels. Those are 2WD-only wheels. They are virtually smaller in every dimension than the 4WD wheels. The front axles on 2WD S10s/Blazers are smaller than 4WD S10s/Blazers.
This is NOT a “true base model!” Yes, whoever spec’d it didn’t include power windows but there are alloy wheels, an exterior trim package with the moldings and chrome/bodycolor bumpers, and that plush velour split bench seat which was still an upgrade in 2001, a plain flat vinyl bench would’ve been standard, if already hard to find outside a fleet order or “Own A New Chevy Truck For Only $_____” special. For that matter, the extended cab was an upcharge.
“No longer available” and all bids disappeared..
The inability to see bids after this type of ending is new to me, eBay used to leave the bid history up.
Ahh well, gone, gone gone.
That’s because the seller took an offer and sold it to someone off of eBay resulting in the cancellation of the auction. What you are describing is an auction that continues through to completion but doesn’t meet its reserve.
Steve R