Chevy’s slab-sided “Action Line” C and K series trucks look great and enjoy the affection of many custom truck builders. This 1970 Chevrolet C-10 in Edmonds, Washington gets the juices flowing with a classic configuration: rear wheel drive, short bed, and a big V8 under the hood. It started life as a long bed and gained a frame dissection and what looks like complete aftermarket bed kit. Since 1970 engine choices topped out with the 400, we know the 454 is non-original as well. Praise the seller for stating these items up front. Such details mean little to anyone who wants a big block C-10 shorty to pick up groceries and haul… whatever needs hauling quickly. The well-begun project truck “runs and drives great” according to the listing here on eBay. At least ten bidders have the modified classic’s market value above $14,500 so far, less than some tricked-out golf carts.
While the 454 version of the Mark IV Big Block powered Corvettes, Monte Carlos, full-sized cars, and even the pseudo-truck El Camino starting in 1970, the C and K series trucks waited until 1973. Thanks to OnAllCylinders for some details. Buyers should derive from lack of specs and stock appearance that the 454 hails from the smogged-up mid to late ’70s making under 300 HP. Even low compression can’t stop 454 cubic inches (7.4L) of displacement from building foundation-shifting torque. A late-’70s 454 three-speed TH400 automatic C20 became the first automatic I didn’t wish was manual. It could power up any hill in top gear and fry the tires from a 20 roll.
Our truck experts can comment below, but generally the small brake pedal suggests this truck came with a manual transmission and probably gained the TH400 and 454 as a matched pair. The Western Blanket seat covers would have been just as likely to cover ripped bench seats in 1970 as today.
The freshly painted aftermarket bed clashes slightly with the honest patina up front, and harmony could be achieved from either a re-spray up front or skillful aging of the new box. Ball peen hammer anyone? A positraction Dana 44 rear end and fat 15 inch tires should help harness the 454’s grunt, but don’t expect any miracles. The overall look is tight and should attract someone who wants a turn-key big block driver. If this truck backs up its description, the new owner can make whatever improvements they like while enjoying it. How would you finish this shortened, repowered C10?
Nice truck. Looks like all the right moves on the frame sectioning to come up with a good looking truck with all the right goodies. Doesn’t hurt that GM came up with one of the best designed trucks of any era.
These had a 2 piece driveshaft and as soon as you put any hp to them. You needed to have a pocket full of universal joints with you. The driveshafts came shooting out of them like goose 💩
Underside shots on Ebay show a two piece shaft. Lot of bangywork for such a short distance.
Short beds came with a one piece drive shaft. I have a 67 & 69, both short bed, both one piece drive shaft. Long beds had the two piece drive shafts.
I love me a Rat no matter where it’s at ! Love the trucks lines & the early truck look short bed & all but that 454 would be a “Tommy cooker” down south here!
I think this is a great looking truck and the new owner would have a blank canvas to take it to whatever he would be comfortable with. It will be interesting to see the winning bid, that could have an impact on the-deal, for sure. At under !5 K it is looking good. I would like it, but for my use ,the big block is not the positive that it is for others.
Breather lid flipped upside down. Classic.
It looks right side up. It just has a large filter in it.
Is it upside down or an oversize element? Either way, big sucking noises :)
That 454 needs a better top end(heads,intake and a cam) and a set of headers,it has lots of potential…..
Perfect short box
Just curious, was the 400 they offered in the trucks basically a 396?
No, the 400 was a small block.
The small block was 400. The big block, in 1971-72 was a board out 396 that was 402.
It was also marketed as a 400.
My ‘71 reads 396 on the spud sticker in the glove box, 402 on the timing sticker under the hood, and the fender emblem says 400.
The law changed in 1970 that required all engines under 400 cid to have an egr evaporation system.
So, Chevrolet took the 396, board it .30 over and that brought it to 402 cid, avoiding the egr law.
Yes, 400 emblems but it was actually a .030 over 402 big block
Regarding the small brake pedal: every C-10 I’ve ever owned from this era were automatics and they all had the small brake pedal
Gary ,I have a two piece drive shaft on my 71 short bed with a 350 auto in it. Soon doing away with it and putting a one piece in it.
I thought C-10’s of this vintage came with truck arms and coil springs out back, not leaf springs. Anyone know for sure?
Nice looking truck and an excellent continuing project. Starting in 1970, a buyer could order either trailing arms and coil springs or leaf springs and shackles. Also available, if ordered that way, was a one-piece driveshaft in the short bed configuration.
I have an early 1969 K20 long bed with leaf springs and a 2-piece driveshaft and I also own an original 1970 short bed with coil springs and a 2-piece driveshaft. So, I believe the configuration of these great trucks regarding springs and driveshafts were up to the buyer after 1969.