Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Patina Hot Rod: 1951 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup

When it comes to custom builds, it’s the little details that will always separate the average vehicle from the really good ones. This 1951 Chevrolet C-10 has these details in abundance, making it an absolute beauty. It wears the original, aged look that can never be perfectly replicated, but has been given a modern twist that would make it a comfortable Pickup that you could live with on a daily basis. It is located in Price, Utah, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $22,606 in what is a No Reserve auction. This is a classic Chevy that seems to have hit the sweet spot with plenty of enthusiasts because there are currently 270 people who are watching the listing.

The C-10 is a desert survivor, and a life in that sort of environment has allowed it to develop the look that you see today. It appears that it is free of any actual rust issues, and the panels are remarkably straight. The vehicle has been fitted with new smoked glass all round, and this looks to be free of any scratches or chips. The custom bed wood is new but has a great vintage look to it, and hiding below that is an aluminum fuel cell. All of the exterior trim and chrome is new, and this contrasts nicely with the aged look of the rest of the Pickup. The combination of 18″ and 20″ Ridler wheels are probably a good indication that this is not your average 1951 C-10.

The custom interior of the Pickup is pretty stunning. It all starts with the fact that every painted surface has been refinished in a color called Cornish Cream. The dash is essentially stock, with the exception of a set of vintage-look Shark gauges. These replace the original items and are said to work exactly as they should. The dark brown custom upholstery is faultless and extends from the seat through to the door trims, and the headliner. I talked about the attention to detail, and the spun metal cup-holders fitted to the seat are a perfect example. The steering column has been chromed, and this later-model item also introduces a tilt wheel to the Pickup.

It should be no surprise to learn that under the skin, this is not your ordinary 1951 C-10. The body now rides on a 1996 S-10 frame, and the mounts for this have been laser-cut to allow for a precision fit. This also allows the vehicle to now feature an independent front end, while the vehicle has been slammed to give the C-10 a ground-hugging appearance. The engine bay has been given a tidy-up, with all of the holes in the firewall welded and smoothed. A coat of the same Cornish Cream paint as graces the interior provides a very clean look. Power is derived from the venerable 350ci V8, which sends its power to the rear via a Turbo 350 automatic transmission. The addition of power steering and power front disc brakes make driving the classic Chevy a breeze. The sweet little 350 has been fitted with a tougher cam, an aluminum intake, Holley 650 carb, and a Flowmaster exhaust. The owner supplies this YouTube video, and the engine sounds really clean and strong. Cooling is taken care of by an aluminum radiator and electric fan, while that eye for detail results in the all-new wiring harness being nicely concealed.

This 1951 Chevrolet C-10 pickup might not be to everyone’s taste, but it is a vehicle that is brim-full with details. It is a vehicle that the owner says could be driven right across the country with absolutely no hesitation. It is also a vehicle where there is literally nothing that needs to be done unless the next owner wants to tailor it more to their own personal tastes. It is all of these factors that would account for the level of interest that it has generated since being listed for sale, and you can’t help but think that the next owner is about to land a really special vehicle for themselves.

Comments

  1. Avatar Skorzeny

    Too low/wheels too big… Hate that look.

    Like 16
    • Avatar JOHN Member

      My vote is a little less wheel and drop. Somewhere in the middle of stock and slammed. I was never a fan of the rubber-band tires and huge wheels.

      Like 6
  2. Avatar bobhess Member

    Just right/wheels good… Love the look.

    Like 5
  3. Avatar TimM

    Sweet truck but don’t you think it would be even better with a good paint job maybe a little metal flake or a candy color???

    Like 14
  4. Avatar Chevy Guy

    So why does it say Chevy when its a GMC? Also what is the difference between an C10 and a 3100?

    Like 5
    • Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

      Amen. That description if total confusing to me especially when there isn’t (far as I can tell) a single C10 part used in the build.

      Like 0
  5. Avatar bobhess Member

    I agree with TimM on paint. Would finish it off very nicely.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Hutch

    I’m not certain when GM started using C10 designation, maybe 60’s but this is a 3100. I hate nit picking as I love BF and have been long time subscriber but sometimes the writers don’t really know the vehicle and the piece could use a little editing. You have some great ones – Ikey H is the best!! It detracts from the piece just a bit when the writer makes such an obvious error that 99% of your readers will pick up on (sorry, bad pun)

    Like 3
    • Avatar Ken

      3100 is Chevrolet nomenclature. I see you corrected yourself below. The C10 began in 1962 when the Apache was discontinued.

      Like 1
  7. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    I’m in the “Paint It” camp but I know the rusty, worn look appeals to a lot of guys in the hobby. I’ve spent my life avoiding, hating and cursing at rust, not to mention bemoaning some cool cars that I junked because of it. If you like the look that’s fine by me. Just stop calling it patina.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Kman

      I’ve been watching a series on YouTube called Turnin Rust. I’ve seen them do some impressive things to old vehicles I even learned how to create the rust. However, I’m in the paint it crowd.

      Like 2
  8. Avatar Hutch

    Sorry, I missed the badging on the first pic on my first post. Yes it’s a GMC and yes it’s a 100 but it’s NOT a C10. Those who live in glasses houses….lesson learned again😋

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Joe Haska

    Very nice truck, the builder did a great job with the theme of the build and that’s why many of you don’t like it and want to change it. If that’s the case build your own and build it your way.
    I guess by now everyone knows it’s not a C 10, also the only real way to know the year of these is to be an absolute expert or look at the title and that’s not for sure, if it was bought in Dec. or Jan.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Randy Bohnet

    I normally don’t like ‘patina’, rubber band tires, etc. etc. But looking at something like this makes me know why I’m not an artist. Having the vision to put together seemingly contrasting thngs, ideas or styles and making them work has to be appreciated.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Tom Bell

    Another one bites the dust–just sad.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar 38ChevyCoupeGuy

    Sweet truck, I really like what the builder did with the paint, although the inside color may not fit everyones taste, would look really good finished out in that tone in my opinion, also the heat and AC, none, which leaves several options open for new caretaker. 😁

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Johnmloghry

    I guess if I were to put an old p/u on a s10 frame this would be as good as any, but I just can’t stand that clear coat over rusty worn out paint, to me it just looks trailer trash and cheap. But to each his own.
    God bless America

    Like 2
  14. Avatar craig

    Were I to buy it, It would be painted upon delivery.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Claudio

    2020 is upon us , we obviously use the internet, we obviously have computers , so please tell me why someone does all this work but manages to use a carburated 350 and a dinosaur age 3 speed transmission?!
    I guess it was built on the cheap to sell on the high …

    Like 0

Leave a Reply to craig Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.