The last three years of Chevy’s first-generation of the C-Series pickups, 1964-1966, saw more car-like changes to this line of trucks. Things were changing, pickups weren’t just for commercial purposes anymore, they were being 2026’afied with more options and more comfort. This 1966 Chevrolet C10 with a mystery cap can be found here on craigslist in Alhambra, California, and they’re asking $9,750. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
I like the faded look of this color, which I believe Chevrolet’s marketing wizards called “Red.” It could be Cardinal Red, which would be more fun. It would look great repainted after some bodywork was completed, as there is rust on this example. Much less rust than there would be in about 2/3 of the rest of the country, but it’ll still need some welding and bodywork. The Custom trim panels on each side of the cab were removed for some reason, but they go with the sale. The Custom trim level offered some nice touches, especially on the interior, such as a full foam seat.
The saddest part of this listing is that they don’t show the interior of this unique topper, or cap (shell?) on the back. Not one photo, even looking through the window. That’s really a shame, that could be a nice selling point, as it looks like a nice one from the exterior. The rear overhang is super cool, and is that even a “porch” light shown there? Dang, I really like that. The seller doesn’t even mention it in their listing, which is more than a little unusual, but they show three photos of them holding their sweet dog.
Nice! The seat bottom material, which looks like it may be an original vinyl seat cover, is the only bad spot inside that I can see in this truck. The “Fawn” interior color (?) is fairly standard, no matter what exterior paint color is ordered. There is another steering wheel that goes with the sale, as well as the two Custom trim panels for the side of the cab roof area. It’s hard to see in the photo above, but you can see the 4-speed manual shifter (SM420) in another interior photo. On second thought, I don’t know if this is a Custom Cab or not. The seat should be fabric, there should be a driver’s side armrest, white door trim, and the steering wheel would be what the seller shows in another photo, along with the two Custom trim panels. Maybe it was going to be a custom Custom-trim faux Custom pickup?
The first-generation Chevy C/K-Series pickups were made for the 1960 through 1966 model years, and the 1966 pickups got a new, bigger six-cylinder engine. I believe this one should then be a 250-cu.in. OHV inline-six, as opposed to the former 230-six. This 250 should have 155 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque rolling through the optional 4-speed manual, sending power to the rear wheels. I know Bob_in_TN is somewhat of a vintage auto dealership scholar and I thought he’d get a kick out of seeing the original location of Barron Chevrolet, where this truck was sold new in 1966. It’s said to run fine, the clutch works fine, and there are no leaks, but don’t attempt to drive it home unless you live in Alhambra. Any thoughts on this ’66 C10 with topper/cap/shell? How much is it worth in this condition? The seller has it priced at a short-bed value.
Too bad it’s 2000 miles away and I’d have to dig the trailer out of 3′ of snow…by the way, does the dog come with it??
Lots of potential for an era period renovation-and along with the paperwork it appears that a build sheet is in the springs of the seat! Could be a fun project since it does run.
The owner reads to be a no-nonsense guy that calls its shortcomings as well. Very refreshing when we consider some of the stuff we see on Craigslist.
Out west these trucks were plentiful. GM made up a good third of the truck population where I grew up. International and Ford put up a good fight, and Dodge had a visible presence but GM pretty much controlled the situation. The long wheelbase was the most popular. The short boxes were more in the urban centers. By the mid 60s the six cylinders were losing their ranks to the V8s as the 283 was fast becoming the leader. Of course the 327 was getting in a few blows as well. Then the GMC that seemed to remain the same with its V6; unless you had a Canadian version which was the same as the Chevy.
I wouldn’t kick a long wheelbase Chevy pickup off my driveway. One like this would be most welcome. I’d take it home, six cylinder and all…
I know I’m a broken record here, but this is one of my favorite generations of Chevy trucks. The one Geomechs pictured is about exactly like one I have on my bucket list. Great link for the map view of the original dealer building too Scotty. Something tells me its been there 100 years. While I’m not typically a pickup cap guy, I think if I were restoring this one, I agree with Nevadahalfrack, I’d restore that very period correct cap as well. Keep the original rims and hub caps too. This one sure looks like a good solid restorable truck. Once again, thank you Scotty I enjoyed your write up very much. And a thank you to the eagle eyed Rocco B. For finding this old gem.
I agree, Dave. This is by far my favorite Chevrolet or GMC generation. I should have gotten Amazon stock 30 years ago, rather than wondering how a guy selling books on this new thing called the internet could possibly make it.
The truck featured here is not a Custom Cab, those came with a full with rear window along with deluxe interior. I used to have a Custom of the same year, with a 307 (not stock) and 4-speed. It was stolen by stoners who tried to repaint it while smoking..the front half looked pretty good but by the time they got to the bed you could tell the weed was kicking in. Anyway I got the truck back none the worse for wear except for the “modified” cosmetics. The rig featured here is in far worse shape than mine was even after the “paint job”. For the amount of corrosion this truck has , the price is too high.
Yes, this is a Custom. You can tell by the three levers for the heater/defroster. The plain cabs had a knob.
My ’66 C10 looked like geomechs’s Chevy, except that mine was a SWB with a 283 V8.
Excellent info, thanks much! I know the Custom trim level had chrome-trimmed knobs, and I couldn’t tell if this one had them or not. And then there’s the missing driver’s side armrest that Custom cabs had. I’m not sure what combination this is, but you’re most likely correct in it being a Custom. Why did the seller remove the Custom steering wheel and side trim (for the cab) panels, I wonder?
Deluxe heater was simply an option available on any truck. Has nothing at all to do with being a Custom.
In 1983 or thereabouts my brother bought one of these trucks 65 or 66 not sure, but it was crashed in front and the motor and tranny were pulled already. It was a light blue color, almost turqouise so I looked it over and what shocked me was when I looked inside the cab that truck had AC. Not the aftermarket AC, it had vents in the dash with AC controls where they should be. It had a power brake booster but I really don’t remember if it had power steering. Only one of those I ever saw with air. I told Dave he needs to save that one back as I think it is a rare one, nope, he only saw 35 bucks a ton for scrap so it got shredded
Mr. H., these trucks were available with power steering, but it wasn’t a conventional power steering box; it was a hydraulic cylinder that boosted the drag link. It was a different but still helpful way to have easier steering.
Cool pickup! My very first vehicle in 1973 was a 1965 Chevy C10. SWB with step sides. Love this generation and really like this upscale example. One correction to the write-up on this one: the larger 6 cylinder engine available was a 292 not 250. My pickup had one.
You are correct, sir! I wrote that paragraph pretty confusingly; my apologies.
The 250-six was new for 1966 and was standard in all models, replacing the 230-six, but there was also a 292-cu.in. six as you mentioned. The 292 was typically not in the C10 as they were a heavy-duty engine, but buyers could opt for one in a half-ton if they wanted or needed the more-powerful 292-six. Thanks for catching that.
Actually, the 250 was available from ‘66 on up. I know of two guys who had C-10s with 250s, a couple more with 292s, and one with a super cherry Canadian GMC with a 250.
I can tell you a real good story about the GMC, and how you can kill an engine with kindness…
I like it, if it wasn’t listed in California it would probably be $3k less add says the bed floor is in good shape but doesn’t provide any pictures to back that up. Nice find overall but remember if your going to drive out and get it on a trailer to bring home Pack extra gas if you believe what the YouTube videos are saying about what’s happening in California now you might need it.
What’s happening in California?
gas stations are closed because they don’t meet the new double wall tank regulations so even emergency responders are having to travel 20+ miles one way just to fuel a fire truck
Correct me if I’m wrong,the custom cab had the large rear window,this does not,I remember as a kid in the 70s we had one,we found the aluminum trim pieces and put on our small window truck,common practice back in the day.
Rw, I believe the “Panoramic Cab” bigger rear window was optional, even on the Custom Cab trim level. Hemmings did a bible-like article on these trucks, and it’s mentioned under the first photo of the interior.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/1964-66-chevrolet-c10-pickup-buyers-guide-0422/
Although, on second thought, big brother AI says the big rear window came on the Custom trim level.
This brochure (page 6) mentions the optional “Full-View” rear window.
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/1966-Chevrolet-Truck-Chassis-Cabs.pdf
I still think this may be a non-Custom and someone intended to deck it out as a Custom, but if I had a nickel for every time I was wrong, uuuuf.
Those are some great links Scotty. It’s funny, looking at the specs between the 292 6 and the 283 V8, the 292 at least on paper, seemed to make a better truck engine. I always appreciate you posting stuff like that thank you!!!
-Dave
Thanks Scotty and Rocco!
Going back to my childhood, my dad was a home builder. 8′ bed pickups were the standard for work trucks with the shells on the back about half were home made built for tool storage. I can remember which guys drove Fords, Chevys, and Dodges to this day.
Nothing brings back memories for me like a classic long bed regular cab pickup.
nice find. make it safe and cruise it. i would take off the cap for a cleaner look
I bought one in Utah for 90.00 orange and white.drove everyday for 3 years.best truck I ever owned.v8,4-speed .very tough,dead reliable.
Looks like a decent truck and price compared to others we see. The unusual item I see is the smog pump, must be early Calif. emissions, I have never seen a pump earlier than 68 in Ct.
I’ve had about a dozen of the ’64-’66 Chevy trucks. Never had a custom. They all had the three levers for the heater.The big back window didn’t mean it was a custom. The three levers for the heater didn’t indicate the custom. The three levers for the heater indicates deluxe heater and not the economy heater which had a single pull knob
All options on this truck are clearly listed on the glove box door sticker. Owner likely collected some parts during ownership steering wheel, aluminum sails, etc. There was no Custom Cab option for 1966 all items were added piecemeal. The two options making up most of a custom type cab were Custom Comfort Z62 and Custom Appearance Z61
I’m certainly not an old automotive dealership “scholar,” but thanks for the shout-out Scotty. Yes I do enjoy seeing old dealerships, and visualizing them in their prime. I guess they remind me of simpler times. Common in small towns, typically family owned. Where your family did business for decades.
Worlds away from today’s behemoth facilities, corporately owned, located out on the interstate. I know, I know, the market has changed and business conditions and models have changed, but there was something unique and pleasant about the small-dealership experience.
Amen Bob_in_TN..
Smog pump even on a truck with a 6cyl in 1966 ? One of the items on the tag along with the positraction…..kinda neat optioned truck.
The widespread use of smog pumps in California started in 1966 for many makes and models. From early-1980’s through the early-2000’s, when cars older than 1975 became exempt from testing, needed all of the OE emissions equipment installed and operational to renew registration biennially.
For years you could make good money whenever you found certain makes 1966 or 1967 cars with all of their emissions equipment intact at a Pick-N-Pull. Lots of cars had theirs thrown away at some point and the state started cracking down on shops that did smog test, making it difficult to find someone that would turn a blind eye to modifications.
Steve R