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No Reserve Survivor: 1986 Chevy S10 Pickup

Single-cab pickups seem to be the most disposable when they outlive their owners and/or usefulness, either of which is a likely scenario for this 42,439 mile 1986 Chevy S10 pickup. Said to be a donation car, the clean condition and vintage California blue plates indicate a long life of easy hauls and careful ownership; now, it’s available for no reserve here on eBay with bidding comfortably under $2K. 

Cherry on cherry was common color combo in this day and age (though I suppose cherry on oxblood is more accurate), and this truck’s interior appears very clean. There’s some modest dash cracking and plastic warping, but overall, this is about as good as it gets for a truck that was actually driven. It’s an automatic and rear-wheel drive, which is perfectly fine for making the occasional dump run or trip to the local landscape depot.

The Rhino Liner looks like it saw very few loads, as it’s mostly scratch-free and practically new. It’s a possibility that an elderly owner thought he or she would make liberal use out of this bed protector but then didn’t use the truck as intended. I’m curious to see how the paint looks underneath; $10 says it’s still a lustrous cherry red. The seller notes this donation vehicle runs and drives, and other than non-functioning A/C and a saggy headliner, is in good shape.

Hard to tell if the paint is original, but I wouldn’t get too worked up about it on a truck like this. The Torq Thrust wheels are a great look on a vintage Mustang, but they work surprisingly well here, too. The S10 appears to also have the optional longer bed, so with the more fuel-friendly drivetrain and extra hauling capacity, this donated workhorse could provide lots of addd utility for not much money.

Comments

  1. Avatar Dusty Stalz

    I’m sure the paint that’s left under that liner would be lustrous, but a lot of it is probably worn off especially along the rails. Those box liners were terrible. Otherwise a really good lookin truck.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar PhiljustPhil

    Nice little truck! I’d love to have this for occasional hauling duties. My experience with the molded bed liner was that minor vibration while driving ended up rubbing the paint off the bed anyplace it was in contact. Personally I prefer the longer bed! Hope it finds an appreciative home!

    Like 0
  3. Avatar john m

    had and early version of this with the 2.8 V6 and the crankshaft split in half. Was originally build for the Citation and not meant to be a north/south install with the pulleys. Fixed it and ran for 160K before we sold it.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Superdessucke

    Some dead uncle’s or dad’s beloved possession. Family probably gave it away, perhaps stacked high with some of the other “valuables” he hauled home in the back of this thing over the years. A final Beverly Hillbilly looking ride to the Salvation Army as his final impromptu tribute. If you just sit on your cars and don’t drive them much this is ultimately what’s going to happen most likely. May he R.I.P.

    Anyway I delivered a lot of pies in these S10s back in the day. They were horrifically slow with the Iron Puke 4-cylinder and the big pizza warmer on the back. They woke up quite a bit with this upgraded 2.8 V-6. And they Really woke up with the 4.3 V-6, which I think came out around this time period.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar CanuckCarGuy

    Nice truck. With the 2.8 V6 and rims it would make a nice first vehicle for a young driver… it’s old school enough to spark the classic car bug in them, and simple enough for them to learn how to turn wrenches on it.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Gaspump

    For someone who does some light hauling and goes easy on that 2.8 its a steal,beats paying 30,000 and you cant really buy a new small pickup since they discontinued the ranger. Somebody will get a nice truck.ironworms gottem all here in New Yawk….

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Moparmann Member

    Is it possible that the “non-functioning AC” is due to its non existence on this truck? :-)

    Like 0
    • Avatar mars2878

      exactly, its an a/c delete optioned truck, notice the lack of forward facing dash vents.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Mark

    Had a 91 with the 4 cyl and 5 speed. Got it from the orig owner with 69k on it
    Still, with that low mileage it had the body rust issues. Fender and the bottom of the doors.
    Yes, it was slow but as a small hauler which got good gas mileage these can’t be beat. Had to load it up with 10 bags of rock salt in the winter but other than that I had no issues. Actually fun to drive.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Sanity Factor

    At least its not a diesel…had one bare bones am radio no options with a service body on the back as a work truck….0-60 in 3.5 miles…but it did get 50mpg…and that am radio could rock out the big band music…still hated that thing…was a complete dog

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Mark Hoffman

    My dad bought an 85 Chevrolet S-10 in 1986. Was the Oldsmobile shop truck. New paint to cover logos on sides of truck and a quick respray of the inside of the box.

    We drove it 20,000 miles. The 2.8 puked at 37,000 miles.

    Dad ALMOST had it paid for.

    POS 2.8.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Miguel

    Is an ’86 now a survivor and not just a used vehicle?

    I tend to call a vehicle a survivor when there are very few around in good condition.

    These trucks are everywhere and a lot are still in good condition.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jeff Lavery Staff

      Not sure where you live, Miguel, but anything older than a 96-97 is a rare sight in the suburban northeast. Rust killed off cars/trucks of this vintage a long, long time ago.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Randy W

    No A/C on this truck!!!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar JonnyA

    Cool truck; too bad it’s a long bed!
    It’d be more desirable if it were an extended cab/short bed with the 4.3L V6.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Maestro1

    Another buy for me if I had the room and didn’t already have a classic truck running beautifully at 38 years old and 138,000 original miles.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Don

    Wondering if it is a long bed or short bed.

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Supermova72

    I have an 85 that was my dads. He ordered it from my uncle at GMC. similar execpet 4×4 extra cab. Dad ordered with 3.73 gears and 700r4

    Like 0
  17. Avatar CaCarDude

    Back in ’84 I bought a new S-15 GMC with the same 2.8 V6, (basically a deluxe version of the s-10 bowtie) she was a good driver and trouble free but 5 years and 50k mi later I needed something new to drive.. so went with a K5 Blazer. I have to say that little S-15 was fun and reliable back then, sometimes wish I still had it.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Mark

    Bought a first year 82, 2.8/auto. Replaced intake gaskets @40K miles. Sold later to buy a house. Bought an 86 2.8/auto in 02, drove it a couple of years before trading for a 93 4.3/auto/4×4. It’s now a non-licensed farm truck @298K miles. Replaced with a 01 4.3/auto /4×4 ZR2 @190K miles. Guess I like them.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Newtown Jack

    Typically if the tailgate letters match the truck’s color…its been repainted.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar matt

    i own this s10 i bought it and it runs great drive it to hemet and back with no problem it doesn’t have ac heat only truck its a great daily driver and

    Like 6

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