I never thought I’d see a restored Chevy S-10, but this one has reportedly been “lovingly restored,” yet the seller also says several times that it’s a “survivor,” is “preserved,” and is “highly original.” I… yeah, I’ve got nothin’. It looks great, no matter what it is, and you can check out this restored / preserved / survivor / original 1985 Chevrolet S-10 Tahoe 4×4 Maxi-Cab here on eBay in Montclair, California, where they’re asking $22,500, or you can make an offer.
As with 90% of humans, I always look at the photos first, and I was hoping this S-10 was original. It would have been amazing if a truck this nice were original, especially seeing the underside. It looks like it’s been coated with something, and that wouldn’t be original. The extended cab, or what Chevy referred to as a Maxi-Cab, is a perfect cab for me, with just enough room in back to store some things inside, but not having four doors, which I’d never need in a car, let alone a truck. Here’s a somewhat dark but fun brochure on these trucks.
The driver’s door or the trim appears to be a little off, and some of the photos exhibit what looks like a bit of orange peel in the paint, but maybe they did from the factory, too? I know a lot of you have owned S-10s, and hopefully you can shed some light on anything (or everything) I’ve missed here. The bed looks great, as it should if this truck has been restored and is priced above $20k. The seller gets a solid AAA+++ on the beautiful photos, by the way!
The exterior is Silver Metallic, and the interior is Blue Special Custom Cloth, according to the seller. You can see the all-important twin shifters: a five-speed manual and a two-speed transfer case for the 4×4 system. This is a first-generation S-10, and they were made from 1981 for the 1982 model year, until the end of 1992. I love the square design over the next-gen trucks, but that’s just a personal preference. Behind the front bucket seats are a couple of small seats that fold away so you can store even more back there, a very nice feature.
This clean engine is a Pontiac-sourced 2.5-liter OHV Iron Duke inline-four with 92 horsepower and 134 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by the transfer case and five-speed manual, sending power to all four wheels as needed, the seller says this is a lifelong California truck and is an AC delete truck. Oddly, they don’t say how it runs or operates, but I’d have to assume that it works as good as it looks. Any thoughts on this restored S-10?
No matter what it is, original, restored, its an incredible S10. I’ve wondered when the day would come that peoples attention would be drawn to these first gen S10s as a restoration project. Love the 4 cylinder 5 speed 4WD setup too. Perfect for me. It seems like a bit of a steep ask… But I mean c’mon, who could restore one for that amount or less? I’m with Scotty, I have a soft spot for the early square bodied S10s as well. Thanks Scotty, and also for posting the brochure link as well. Love looking at those too!!!
Also, that opening photo. It looks like it could have come right out of a brochure. Nice picture.
If my S-10 were as perfect as this one, I’d be afraid to use it for anything, LOL!!
Very sharp! GLWTA!! :-)
Those newer style S10 rims are one of my favorites, they look great on yours!!!
Find a nicer one 💁♂️
Last year for the early dash.
It seems the sellers of these trucks have developed a case of Barrett-Jacksonitis. It’s a nice truck and yes you can’t get one new anymore but $22K is a lot for an otherwise mass produced truck that can’t even get out of its own way. The sellers “ac delete” is a nice touch; you didn’t “delete” the AC back then as it was an option.
Not many of these around, in any condition. A 4.3 would make for a more realistic ask.
Agreed, but I don’t think it was available until ’88. This thing must be really slow, I can’t believe they sold the 4×4 with the 4 popper. The 2.8 wasn’t much better.
I think GM included orange peel at no extra charge
Couldn’t send everything over to PPG for the perfect paint job, ala Buick Reatta.
Maxi cab…glad it didn’t stick
Washing a truck and replacing the rubber parts that rot is not restoring it 5 didgit odometer and they don’t provide Auto check or car fax to verify claimed mileage obviously dealership detailing and that waxy stuff they spray on the engine to make it look nice its biggest benefit is manual transmission its way over priced good luck to the seller.
Beautiful S truck!! Wonder how anemic it is with the Iron Duke…
Extremely!
Is there such thing as a perfect truck? These and period Rangers are surely close. How is this with an Iron Duke, Dennis? Slow, but it does keep up with the national speed limit of 55 mph. Part of me would have preferred the bench seat with just storage in the back as those buckets are not very supportive. I guess that’s what bath towels are for.
I’m a fan of the Duke but not where it’s incorrectly specced. A Duke with 4-wheel drive? Nope. No A/C for the ask? Big, fat nope! This truck is a victim of the ultra-maroon from 1985 checking the boxes on the order form.
It’s a shame because I’m a fan of 1st Gen S10s. Had one with the Duke that absolutely refused to die, even when I tried to blow it up.
My first new vehicle was an ’82 S10 with a V6 and stick. No extended cab the first year. That truck was peppy, handled better than most cars, and served me well for 116,000 miles until some stooge rear-ended me in an ice storm.
This one must be a slug.
Why? 1950s or 60s is understandable.
why waste the money to restore1? i would not drive 1 let alone restore 1.
This be a good truck for some older feller who just putts around town. Never on interstate 75 + Speed limit. Real old folks do not like cold A/C makes there bones hurt . I know my Pops drove an exact one , till he was 93 and his old wore out legs could not operate the clutch anymore. Last truck he drove till he passed at 95.
I had a ‘93 with the maxi cab. Our daughter rode on the jump seat when she was young. She’s still traumatized.
Nice example here. The motor is fairly gutless. A 2.8 or 4.3 would have been a more potent option.
The 4.3 V6 wouldn’t be an option until ’87 or ’88.