Stepside pickups are the two-doors of the car world, if that makes any sense at all. It seems like everyone wants their cars to have just two doors and they want their pickups to have a stepside box. This 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Stepside is in San Jose, California and it can be found on eBay with a $7,500 buy it now price, or you can make an offer.
As they say on Hee-Haw, “If it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all”.. or similarly, if it wasn’t for that first photo, and partially the right-rear photo above, you’d have no photos at all. For a seller on eBay to show basically one overall photo and one partial photo when selling such a nice looking truck in what may be the most technologically advanced city on the planet, yeah.. not good. But, their description is even more vague: “Transition is good”, which, of course, means transmission is good, and it’s a “400 turbo on the floor” with a “Corvette shift kit”. BUT, AT LEAST SHOW US ONE INTERIOR PHOTO, FOR CRYIN’ OUT LOUD! We have to guess what both the interior and engine look like on this one.
Here’s the last photo, which is basically a close-up of the first photo at a little different angle. I have no clue, I really don’t. The engine has “8 cylinders”, but there is no mention on what the cubic-inch displacement or horsepower is. They do mention that the mileage is “zeroed out” because the engine has been rebuilt. Twice. And, if that isn’t enough, they say that the “engine needs rebuilding”. It’s either three-times-a-charm or three-strikes-and-you’re-out for that engine. If there was ever a “Drop an SBC in it” to be said, it’s now. This looks like a really nice truck, body-wise, but man, what head-scratcher. Maybe that’s all a buyer needs for a truck that looks this nice, who cares what condition the engine is in, they’re going to modify it anyway. Hagerty lists a #4 fair value of $4,900 and a #3 good value of $9,400 – what is this truck worth as it sits right now?
Drop a diesel in it!
I think the guy may need to find a better engine rebuilder ,it would have been a 307 our 350 probably .
Strongly disagree that the stepsides are the “two-door” equivalent in terms of desirability, and particularly in the 67-72 era. Short wide boxes are the most desirable, and not even sure the stepsides would be preferred over the long fleetside bed trucks. I am sure the stepsides have their fans, but they are definitely in the minority.
imho, very wrong, at least in the SW. short narrow boxes were the history of pickups. Still very strong in the southwest.
You are right, short bed fleetside trucks are what’s in demand. I’d say the stepside is a distant second, they work well for a retro themed 70’s or early-80’s era build. Other than that nobody I know will touch a post 1950’s 2wd stepside or a long bed of any year.
Steve R
We are doing a 1967 small window SWB C10 right noe. The fleetside short beds are deffinaatly the most valueable. We history had to pay over 1000.00 for one good enough to rebuild. I bid on one that was made into a trailer last month on one of my auction sites. It went for 1600.00. Our clean rust free truck was only 400.00. It has PS,PB,AC, and a 4 speed trans.
You guys are hurting my ’72 Fleetside feelings!
I agree, I was shocked by the statement. Fleetside are far more desirable.
There is a shop here in town that shortens long fleetside boxes to fit shortbed trucks. They charge 3,000 and have plenty of work.
Yep, I have seen people offer to trade perfect step beds for rough fleet sides, & offer a a whole lot of boot. Around here, a 67-72 truck with a fleet side bed will bring 2 grand more than the same truck with a step bed. On the other hand, it’s the exact opposite for a 73-87 since there were so fewer step sides made in that generation.
Personally, I like them both. I have a 90% original 68 fleetside that has been in the family since new, & am currently building a 67 step side restomod with a 5.3 LS engine.
67-72 GM’s are one of the only trucks out there where I actually prefer the long box to the short – it suits the proportions well, especially with a mild drop. IMHO on this era LWB>SWB>Step
Well, I am a “Stepside Owner” and I can tell you that almost every step side made, has more “presence ” / “character” / “visual appeal” than any standard short or long flat sided bed. So I guess it’s a matter of use as to which style you choose. If you are “working” the truck, then short/long flat sided beds are going to give you the most working cargo area. If you are “home ownering” the truck with a side of DD to and from the office, then a step side gives you the ability to carry loads, tow a _____, and still have some curb appeal while doing it. As for this one, I like the body style a lot, just way to little info given on the mechanics of the truck. Since he’s not “talking” I’m guessing most people are “walking”!
With the detailed description given,should have put it in a giant grocery bag and sold it as a surprise grab bag.
No offense meant but I’m thinking the owner just got to California from south of the border after 2 bad rebuild back home and he has given up on the truck to find a low rider.
I think the seller is flipping the car. There are many neighborhoods in the Bay Area where you will see cars and trucks in a similar condition parked in a driveway on nearly every block. Someone industrious with cash and a trailer can cycle though cars like this on a regular basis.
Steve R
His, or maybe her, other listing for a 1980 C10 is just as bad, but it does have one more picture.
I’m a steppers fan. Right color,stance wheels and wood bed.
I like both bed styles. To me this black step side would make a great hot rod/rat rod truck. Flames look great on black and the step side bed gives it a more bad a** look. It would look even meaner with a chop top.
Fleetsides appeal to me most restored to original.
The truck for sale has the best looking wheels ever. They just need a refurbished and would make Chinese wheels as you have shown above to shame. Just my opinion but man, they would look wicked on any 60, 70s pickup
Great looking truck!
Not a fan of stepsides until I saw yours NP! That is super nice! Nice choice for retro custom not too big wheels combined with the right stance/ rake.👍 👍👍👍👍
Man I wish it was my ride. This was on ebay a few months ago. I was not the winning bidder. It was an original,no rust truck done right.
Newport, if that is yours – NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s what I’m talking about in my previous post – exactly!!!!! Your not going to get a straight side with that much presence without “adding” a lot. This one came from the factory ready to be “fine tuned”. And Newport, again, if it is yours, you did some darn tight “fine tuning”!!!!
Do your homework on this one,Guys- the seller has ZERO ebay feedback, and hes speaking in poor broken english,plus he doesn’t know what he is doing or talking about. Could be a scam from East Bungfuct.
A short bed step side is my idea of a truck I would want in my stable.
Lack of information, misspelled words and very few pics indicate to me either a scam or hacked ad, just saying.
My ’84. Owned 18 years, bought from original owner, sold it last year for 5k.
A bit in the minority here, but I loved my 69 C10 longbed. But I used it as a truck, and sheets of plywood and 2×4’s just do not fit well in a short bed, stepside or not. Today, I hope to replace my S10 compact with a 1 ton flatbed. I have stuff to haul.
I have 2 S10’s and 2 crew cab K3500 flatbeds plus various IHC’s and others here at the ranch. Every time I think about selling one…..it gets used. A flatbed is the most useable vehicle on the planet.
Big block, headers, 3″ pipes and flowmasters…
that there needs a tricked out 496…
You should join us in the 21st century, a LQ9 6.0 with LS3 6.2 with a 6l80 transmission is vastly superior to any big block.
Hey if it’s a pickup it’s desirable; no doubt some are more popular but it is a good bet that you are not going to find very many that are cheap or even reasonably priced. I say enjoy yours no matter what year, brand, or style. I love them all!!!