There are some basic lessons for success when selling used, classic vehicles, and chief among them is finding every short-bed Chevrolet or GMC pickup you can get your hands on. It’s amazing to me that these trucks still pull the kind of money they do, especially when you know the seller just found it in the Home Depot parking lot a few days prior. Regardless, this driver-quality 1986 Chevrolet C10 listed here on eBay is already pulling $10,000 with no reserve.
Even as a driver, this C10 is pretty average, with paint that is far from perfect and a few dings and dents in the bodywork. The two-tone paint job is standard 1980s pickup truck fare, but it’s hard to tell whether the seller has made any attempt to buff out the finish. The interior has supposedly been refreshed with a new dash, vents, and trim, as well as replacement carpet and a new cloth seat cover. The door panels are original and do show sagging on the storage pockets but otherwise look good.
Under the hood is a reliable 305 V8, paired to the standard-issue automatic transmission. What’s interesting to me about the perceived value of a C10 is the simplicity of it all: buyer aren’t lining up for one of these trucks because it’s exotic or rare; it’s actually the opposite, as almost anyone can buy one of these without getting in over their head. You can simply use it as-is or go headlong into an extensive street rod build, and likely come out the other side of it without any issues.
Truth be told, I’m still a little surprised to see bidding where it is. The paint isn’t particularly nice on this truck, with plenty of visible flaws, particularly on the tailgate. The seller notes the roof paint is not original but the rest of the truck is. The rally wheels are either new or recently refinished, and the tires look quite fresh as well. The seller will likely do well on this short bed Chevy relative to what he paid for it, and this former workhorse is likely headed for a pleasant retirement as the next owner’s restoration project.
Nice rig to tow the bass boat 🎣 to the river.
10g+ is some price for a 35 year old truck. But for many prospective buyers, the simplicity of these era square body pickup trucks to run & repair is why they go for a nice chunk of change today verses the cost & maintenance of the new trucks with all the computer controlled gizmos in them.
This is a bit depressing. A friend has an 81 shortbed stepside in better shape body wise than this one and apparently like an idiot I turned it down at $3,500.00. According to this I could’ve made a fortune on that one. Learn from your mistakes right? Or is it hindsight is 20/20? Either way oops 😏
OK, here’s Ashtray’s analysis:
First, the good. It’s better than average, especially the bed area. The burgandy color appears to be original paint, but that’s all. The underbody looks good. Appears to have been power washed, then a rattle can of high gloss paint scattered around.
Well, I’m done with the good!
The bad; Well, it’s an eighties Chevy with a crappy motor, but wait, there’s more!
The seller said the paint ‘appears’ to be original except the top? Well, the bottom sides (beige color) sure doesn’t appear original to me? Matter of fact it isn’t. And it’s full of Bondo. Flat spots down the sides, gouges and imperfections etc. Look like a project truck that some kids are learning body work at a local Vocational School.
The odometer has been tampered with, or the plastic clip behind the numbers has broken with age? Probably, my first suggestion?
Anyway, the first digit on the odometer isn’t working. It will never exceed 40 something thousand miles.
The seller stated the interior was changed, which means it was trashed.
It’s your money, so go ahead and pay 10 to 20 thousand for this patched up, partially painted truck with a 305 motor.
I would love to talk to the new owner in a year from now and see just how happy they are with their purchase?
Just my oponion!
Nailed it! My views exactly, and you know these trucks as well as I do.
The reason these command premium prices is the stupid money they sell for at the big auctions on TV. Everyone is looking to cash in on one.
The reason I like them is they are like old camaros and mustangs. Their is absolutely nothing you can not get for them brand new and relatively inexpensive. They are a great first project for the beginner.
This is all fine and good if you live in a state that doesn’t require smog inspections. This truck is modified and will never pass. These were turds from the time they left Flint. How do I know? I had a brand new 1985 K-10. It would ping going over an overpass. After having it in the shop for most of three years, I sold it and bought an early 70’s Ranchero.
Much better car, even if it wasn’t new.
Like a rock. It will outlive most of us. People shouldn’t rattle can because it raises suspicion.
A great daily driver for rural areas.
Some people might be bidding on this one just to flip it in 2-3 months, just like the seller is doing now. It does have the right stuff: short bed, matching numbers, well-equipped, top-level trim, era-typical 2-tone paint. Don’t be surprised if this truck, as is, sells for close to $20K. Ridiculous, but that’s where the market is heading.
My parents bought a 1986 C10 Custom Deluxe with a 4 barrel carbureted 4.3 V6 brand new for $10,400. Had some decent pull for a V6, but it lost the cam at 72k miles. Swapped in another Goodwrench 4.3 we picked up for $400 and that one broke the crankshaft within 8k miles. Love the truck, hated that 4.3.
I still have the truck in my back yard. My parents are both gone now and I had illusions of dropping a 350 in it and use it around town. Can’t seem to part with it for some reason.
What I see here is just an old truck that from the photos appears to be in pretty good shape for its age. Nothing special in my opinion. Just checked and its bid to $13,600.00 with five plus hours to go. So the market is speaking again about the desirability of these Chevies. If I’m spending this kind of money (which I wouldn’t), I would insist on a personal inspection. I agree with others who have pointed out that some of the factors driving the price of these old trucks is the stupid cost of new ones and the simplicity of these versus new trucks. I wonder if these new trucks will be as sought after in thirty eight years? Well I won’t be around to find out but I’m betting they won’t.
I had this exact same truck in 2005 and traded it at a car lot for a 1960 Thunderbird and they gave me a check for 2500 $ to boot .I wish I hadn’t done that a week after I did it . Mine was a lot better shape too .what a dumb thing I did .😡😡😡😡🥴
180,000 last reported odometer, 40k currently on odometer and it sold for $10k more than its worth.
I believe Ashtray said in an earlier post that the odometer had been tampered with! I could tell by looking at the numbers on the odometer.
I also said some other negative things that I still believe are true.
Thanks, Troy for running this vehicle through Experian, Auto Check or whatever?
I just hope the new owner doesn’t get buyer’s remorse?
Just my second opinion!