The Chevrolet C-10 is about as perfect as it gets for a starter project truck. You can still buy a ratty one without serious rust for reasonable money, and while they are clearly no longer as cheap as they once were, it’s still a better starting point than many other fast-appreciating classics. And for the first-time project buyer, you stand a reasonable chance of your investment being worth more when you’re done with it, or at least staying neutral in terms of what you put in versus what you get out. This C-10 is said to be a runner and while it has some needs, it is the most sought-after spec with the preferred short bed. Find it here on eBay where bidding has reached $4,600 with no reserve.
This looks like a solid truck overall, and it sports a classic color combo of red over white-painted steel wheels. While many of the higher-trim trucks wore two-tone paint at this point in the production cycles, this one is a more basic truck without many frills. The seller reports it was left in a barn for the last 10 years and as such, it has some minor issues to sort out. The ignition can turn on with out the key; the air conditioning has been disconnected; and while it has dual fuel tanks, the transfer switch doesn’t work.
The Chevy is in Nebraska, which should be good news for finding nominal rust or at least corrosion that’s easily repaired. The interior is tired cosmetically but appears to be all there, and impressively, the bench seat isn’t even all that torn up (at least from this side of the cab.) The red-on-red-on-red color scheme is very 1980s, and the truck appears to be largely unchanged from its factory-fresh condition (aside from the years of dirt, grime, and muddy boots). This C-10 sports crank windows and manual functions throughout, so while it isn’t luxurious, there’s also very little to break. The dash pad, however, should be replaced.
Look at those fender arches – surprisingly rot-free, although there’s an easily patched hole in the lower rear quarter. Other areas of concern include the cab corners and “…spots on the bed box,” but overall, this is a solid project that can be repaired over time and as budgets allow. The floors are said to be solid. The seller reports there is a strong-running 305 under the hood with a rebuilt 700R4 transmission. The seller claims it “flies” down the road, so maybe it has a hot cam under the hood or the cats have been removed. Either way, it’s going cheap at the moment and looks deserving of a few bucks’ worth of restoration.
I know this shouldn’t really bother me, but I just don’t know how much longer I can observe the level of deceit that is going on here. Not on BarnFinds part, they are merely the piano player, but it’s a portal to see how far this foolishness can go. I have a tough time sleeping, thinking I overcharged someone for mine, when something like this pops up, that should be at the bottom of a stack of junk cars, for DOUBLE. Are people really that gullible today?
The seller should sleep just fine in this case. It’s an auction. They aren’t setting the price…
STRONGLY, STRONGLY disagree. Good running full size 8 cylinder Chevrolet should rarely if ever (never) end up in a scrap yard. Lots of potential easy to repair hundreds of ways to customize $4,600 is steep good, old, American 8cyl. Shouldn’t ever end up inscrapyard. Still has purpose to Steve people are lucky to have.
2wd future muscle truck or lowered cruiser.
Strong running 305 under the hood,I had two 305s and that is the worst car engine to put in a truck,like they say can’t get out of its own way GOOD luck to the lucky buyer on this one
Looks like a perfect first vehicle for my Grandson, who turns 16 in November.
Yeah, people/sellers are acting like the end of the world is coming. What is coming is a recession. ALL of this insanity will eventually come to an end. There’s just too much money out in the economy right now, and we probably won’t get back to “sane” levels until later on this year. UNFORTUNATELY – a lot of people will get stuck with classic cars that aren’t worth what they paid for. Maybe, the classic car market will “right” itself and be really what it should be – a hobby that everyone can enjoy at all levels. Not just a way to get ahead at a “Fellow American’s” expense. Good luck to all. I really do love Barn Finds – great job!
If someone thinks that truck is worth 10k and buys it god bless. This is still a free country (at least for now) and somebody should be able to get what they can for their product no matter what it is and the buyer should be able to spend as they choose.A novice SHOULD ALWAYS bring a knowledgeable car person when inspecting a vehicle though and if they decide it isn’t worth it can just walk away. Caveat emptor.
I see rocker rot , quarter rot and cab corners look like they will need replacement.for almost 5k I think it’s too much imo.More like a 2 to 2500 truck to me. Trucks like this if not attended to body wise soon in the condition it’s in will literally disintegrate before your eyes.
Solid enough body compared to many put there. The 305 would have to go. Nothing better than a boat anchor, IMO. I’ve been working on an 85 C10 for 5 years now and got it where I want it to be. Rate engines and machine shops are backlogged still but a fresh 350 would be a good start on this one. I replaced both fuel tanks and sending units and had a hard time figuring out which side was main tank. I’ve decided it’s the passenger side. There is much debate on Google and LMC and Summit can’t even tell you for sure.
Heck,
When they come with 1 tank it is on the passenger side, so I agree it is the main tank.
I also replaced the tank control valve on my 85 C10 and because the original wiring was gutted its been difficult to run the single wire from control valve to the tank switch under dash.
Hey Howard, enough with “the sky is falling” already. Supply and demand dictate values on EVERYTHING. Cars, toilet paper, coffee, etc. If you don’t like the idea of capitalism, consider the alternative. Just because someone has the means to spend more on a car than YOU feel they should, doesn’t make them gullible. Most of us probably get enough judgement from our spouses. We don’t need it from you.
we’re a Capitalist country last time I checked, and people can ask anything they want for something they are selling. When I checked this was a no reserve auction so seller isn’t setting the price. The buyers are. Personally I wouldn’t pay more than $4-$5K for a C10 in this condition, but that’s just me. People who don’t know better, may pay more.
Amen Comet! Finally someone besides me understands, capitalism, and Econ 101 on this site!
No bids yet. Times have sure changed in the last 5 years, since I sold a very nice red on red 86 model Silverado, full power, cold air, & other than the dash pad, a perfect interior, working dual tanks, etc. Only rust in the truck was a quarter size spot in each cab corner. Was also a 305, but ran great. I sold it for $4000 & was happy to get that. Today, it would bring 10k easily. Good market for sellers, bad market for someone wanting to get a nice classic truck for a decent price.
Sold a short bed like it for about a third of its value 6 years ago, all because i didn’t keep up with rising prices on these trucks, on the 80s dodge short beds also…
This truck has possibilities but it’s going to take some money to put it back to a decent condition. I also agree that the 305 V8 is better than the six, this truck really needed the 350. Of note, this is not the vehicle for a new 16 year old driver. The best vehicle for a new driver, especially at 16, should have, at a minimum, a shoulder belt, an air bag, and ABS brakes. This is not the 1980’s…people now drive like the devil is chasing them and this truck, in an emergency situation, is a death trap. Recall the side mounted gas tanks exploding in a side impact?
I’d still buy this era truck because I really like the terrific look but I also understand the trucks’ limitations, something a kid would not.