There are enthusiasts for every type of car or truck you can imagine. Pickup truck collectors tend to skew towards older, more classic models, but every now and again you find someone who digs the modern stuff. This isn’t exactly modern, but it’s definitely from an era of trucks that there’s a growing appreciation for: the early 90s, compact pickup, that was bare-bones simple inside and cheap to own and work on. In this case, we’re talking about the classic Chevrolet S-10 pickup and its corporate twin, the GMC Sonoma. This S-10 is in outstanding condition and looks sweet on a set of rare accessory wheels. Find it here on craigslist for $15,000 in New Hampshire.
My brother had a truck just like this in high school, with two-wheel drive and the 4.3 liter V6. His was a manual transmission, which I believe enabled all sorts of hijinks. The seller’s truck has the same V6 with an automatic transmission, which is the more typical combination by far. The listing mentions that he thought the paint was all-original, but some evidence of prior accident repair has been discovered; still, it hardly detracts from the fact that this S-10 is in spectacular, survivor condition. And man, do I dig those rare accessory OEM wheels which look fantastic on this truck in this color.
The interior is configured just the way you’d want a pickup that gives off “sport truck” vibes, with bucket seats and a center console. The interior is in excellent condition with little in the way of wear and tear, and the striped inserts running down the center of the buckets is still quite vibrant (the buckets have been transplanted from a Blazer). From the factory, it came with A/C, a tilt wheel, cruise control, power steering and brakes, and the Tahoe package – so this S-10 is very well equipped for what is essentially an entry-level truck. The dash is also in excellent shape and you have to love seeing the little details like the S-10 badge on the glove box door still present.
I’m always surprised to see how much torque this engine had. Horsepower wasn’t mind-blowing at 160, but 230 lb.-ft. of torque is nothing to sneeze at in a compact pickup like this. The seller is proud of this truck, and I can’t say I blame him; these were cheap workhorses for many years, so it’s pretty hard to find one that’s been treated like a show truck. The seller has a second S-10 that he’s holding onto, so this is clearly a vehicle he’s developed some expertise in finding the best examples available. The asking price is all the money, but like I said, you rarely find them in this sort of condition. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Barney for the tip.
Burnouts are a cinch in these. 🔥💨
This was quite litterally a hot rod pickup in its day. I remembered an article in a car magazine back when the 4.3 V6 was first offered in these, it had a picture of a 2 WD S10 doing a huge smokey burnout. They walked away inpressed with its power.
This was someones fun toy I think, short bed single cab big 6, they had fun!!! This is seriously clean. I’d love to have it.
Torque = fun!
nice but a lot of money for a s10
Sad day when they stopped making S10s. I owned a 93 Tahoe edition Blazer which I bought with over 100k miles and drove another 100k. Very well optioned inside and out; two tone paint, 4.3 Vortec, leather interior, etc. loved it! Went from that to a 98 S10 extended cab then to an 03 Blazer. Don’t care for the new Blazers…currently have a 17 Colorado which i like (love the 3.6 V6) but it wish they’d have kept them smaller like the S10. Oh well…
Nice truck with the I really don’t want to sell it price automakers need to wake up and bring these little trucks back to the market all this added tech garbage can be minimal and they would sell, maybe more to us old folks who don’t use half the apps on the screen now.
I agree, Ford missed the mark when they didn’t make the Maverick in a 2 door. Good chance I would have bought one.
I mean, that’s even out of line for a “feeler” price. Bigger issue is it isn’t a feeler vehicle.
The 4.3 will run forever IF, the oil is changed religiously. The Vortec system along with the hot EGR valve on one side of the pushrod valley area. Causes actual condensation build up there. If the oil is not kept clean. Then condensation and dirty oil cause sludge.That then builds up and bakes onto the bottom of the intake ( particularly around the EGR) and gets crispy. When crispy sludge comes off and eventually finds its way to the oil pump. That’s when the engine fails. Clean oil and it lives forever. (I have personally seen over 400,000 miles and 300,000 is not unusual) Oil not kept clean, you are on borrowed time after 60k. If buying one of these and not certain of it’s previous care. Pull the intake and inspect and or clean. It will be money and time well spent. And at that mileage, chances are that the intake gasket needs attention anyway. Great torquey long running engines with proper care. Also, when ever checking out any GM vehicle that has a 4.3 engine. Carefully check for engine oil cooling line leaks. Very common once close or past 100k.
Ok class,4.3 school is over for the day.
I’m a truck lover, I have a 96 Silverado Z71, white with red interior, sb/sc/ was ordered with every option. I would not take what he’s asking for this truck for mine, and I suspect that if he put it on EBay he would get at least what he’s asking. New trucks come with lots of things you don’t want but you have to pay for them. You can’t get a new truck like this, with just what you want and need, so I think it will sell quickly.
GMC had the “Syclone”, the hot version of the Sonoma, but for some reason, I thought that Chevy didn’t offer a hotter version of the S10 to go with it. If I’m wrong and they did have a more sporting version of the S10, please enlighten me, but if I’m right, that begs the question: Why not?
BTW, Jay Leno’s Syclone video on “Jay Leno’s Garage” is worth a look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRBd6g6CdDs