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Short Bed Survivor: 1971 Chevrolet C10

When I was 14 and about to get my driver’s license, I was on the hunt for my first car. I found a 1969 GMC pickup that wore the same shade of yellow as this 1971 Chevy. Unfortunately, it was out of my price range, but looking back on it, it was probably a bargain. These trucks continue to gain popularity and value although they have remained fairly steady compared to Ford trucks of this era. This one can be found here on eBay with a current bid over $15,000 and the reserve hasn’t been met yet. There is no buy-it-now price, so it’s a little hard to gauge how much the seller expects it to bring. Located in Upland, California, the seller says there is very little rust and it looks to me like a solid project. Take a look for yourself.

The interior looks pretty clean aside from the seat cover and carpet, but those are easy fixes if the new owner chooses to update them. The seller says everything works on this truck, which is a plus.

The engine is a 350 cubic inch V8 with an automatic transmission which is a really solid combination. The truck also features great options like A/C, power steering and power disc brakes. It also has new exhaust, tires, shocks, u-joints, drive shaft, oil pan gasket, and motor mounts.

You can see a little bit of body work that has been done on the rear quarter panel. The hood has also been primed. A truck like this is only original once, but at this point, it is probably due for a repaint. Maybe the factory color so you don’t have to completely disassemble it? What do you think?

Comments

  1. Avatar geomechs Member

    Nice truck! Yet another one of those you can simply drop off at my place. I’d take good care of it. The A-C is a nice touch. Looks like an STV system which worked just fine for the most part. I would keep it as is, and reinstall a Quadrajet, and just make everything work. And I would paint it the same. My dad had a ’68 1/2 ton Custom Camper in the same color scheme. His was a long box and was powered by a 327. I remember my older brother and I putting it through the mill but it always came back for more…

    Like 6
  2. Avatar Deano

    Still something going on with passenger door and rocker panel

    Like 1
  3. Avatar local_sheriff

    For ’71 power disc brakes became standard equipment on GM trucks. Interior pieces seem to have come off a different truck (or repops?) – according to its spid it came with the Parchment interior. Now that’s just another great thing about these trucks; you can easily replace all soft goods without breaking the bank.

    Sweet short bed with just the necessary options. Still in current condition with probable ‘surprises’ lurking in the weld seems I don’t consider it a 15k vehicle

    Like 1
  4. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    The eBay post says it sold for $15,700 but also shows the reserve wasn’t met; not sure what that means. I think the top bid was quite strong for this C10 Chevy considering it needs a paint job. The 350 is a good engine for this short bed and PS, PDB along with A/C would make for a pleasant driver. I would prefer a 4-speed but you can’t have everything. Definitely a desirable vintage Chevy pickup with a lot going for it but it needs new paint which won’t be cheap.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Michael

    Looky there. The passenger side seat is frayed and the driver isn’t; don’t see that often.

    Like 2
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      That was Fido’s seat

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Scuderia

    cool truck,nice options, bummer about the primed hood. One thing I don’t get, as far as I know black CA license plates ended in 1969 was it different for commercial vehicles?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Steve R

      Yes, commercial plates were black well into 1970. I had a 1970 Ranchero that still had its original black plates, that a coworkers dad bought it new.

      It is conceivable that there are a few 1970 black plate cars. DMV offices used whatever plates they had on hand until they were depleted, small rural offices would have issued black plates longer than urban offices.

      Steve R

      Like 1
  7. Avatar Benjy58

    Looks like some trickery going on here.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar bob

    amazing what these trucks are being bid up to.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Rspcharger

    Something is very fishy here. That truck (I have a ’69 in slightly better shape) is not worth anything over $8K and that is being generous.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar stillrunners

    15 large is pretty good for that one – bet we will see it again. Schoolmate and fellow scout buddies dad bought one new this color but had the long bed. He came with us on a on a few camp outs…..so cool it had the factory am/fm…kept it for a long time after we graduated…….always wounder were it went……..

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Chuck F

    It’s worth $15k to someone, try to find a nice one of these in the rust belt. I went and looked at a roller 1972 Cheyenne Super C10 on FB Markeplace for $800, it still had the tach dash guage package, which is hard to find. After I gave the guy money down and was driving away he called and said it was actually his uncle’s truck, he couldn’t sell it, he thought it had been his dad’s.

    Like 0

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