Ah, the classic step-side pickup. When it comes to building a street rod or simply owning a truck that will get thumbs-up wherever it goes, a step-side seems like a home run. And given these are short-bed trucks, the winning just keeps going as it relates to a platform that will hold its value for years to come. This 1981 Chevrolet C10 listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,500 may not be particularly cheap, but that’s because the seller knows what he’s got – and it has just 36K miles.
I don’t know what it is, but truck enthusiasts love the step-side. Whenever I field a call for the private salvage yard on the property in Georgia, the next question is almost always whether I have any step-sides for sale. Whether they want the whole truck or just a bed, there’s clearly a lot of demand for this body style. The seller’s truck is aid to be rust-free, and I certainly don’t see any evidence to the contrary here.
It also has this gorgeous red interior, which – believe it or not – can also sway the value upwards. It doesn’t matter which make or model if your favorite, a killer color combo will always make a vehicle more desirable. Black over red is as good as it gets for a collector car, and the fact that this interior remains in remarkably nice shape for an unrestored truck definitely helps the seller to justify the asking price. It’s also an A/C truck which will definitely make it an item for certain collectors in warm climates.
Now, the inline-six is one of my favorite engine designs, as it’s typically a very reliable design and one that can go for eons without ever needing a rebuild. But it’s also not particularly sexy as it relates to what most of us would consider ideal in a truck build. The seller is smart to leave his in stock condition so that the next owner at least doesn’t feel like they are buying a truck that’s already been modified, even though the first thing that next owner is likely to do is rip the six-cylinder out. With that in mind, do you think the seller will get his asking price?
I believe that was still the stovebolt 6 in 81. No mention as to whether this is a 3 on the tree or 3 spd auto but i only see 2 pedals sk most like a slushbox. Love this truck
The only 6-cylinder available in light duty trucks for 1981 was the 250. This one is backed by an automatic transmission (shift quadrant is visible on the column). The door panels have been replaced. They should be red like the rest of the interior. Otherwise, very nice truck!
Strange thing is, it has a skinny manual trans brake pedal. I wonder if it was a 3 on the tree originally and then converted to an automatic.
I think the last year for the manual three speed column shift was 1979. It was also the first year for unleaded gas in the light duty trucks.
My 78 GMC heavy half had the small brake pedal with the TH 350, but my 84 C2500 had a large brake pedal with the TH400.
I have an 81 C10 with manual 3sp.
Nice looking body and interior. The only thing needed is to add a LS engine to make it drive like a bat out of he ll . :-)
Good luck on the sale.
No no no….
This – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfyofaN0j3g or
THIS! – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKIjsXUMvhc
Had the chance to buy a similar truck (non step side) about 4 years ago, but passed on it. “$6k for a six cylinder truck? Pffft, whatever,” I thought at the time. Little did I know…. Hindsight is 20/20, right?
3rd gen chev/stacked head lights: short bed? check; step side? check; auto transmis, uh, ok; 4WD op, no; i6? check but 292 & 4WD needed…
8^ )
Beautiful truck! I love the stepside trucks. Even the Ford and Dodge stepsides were so cool. It’s like an attractive lady you just can’t help but look!
Actually, I remember a buddy of mine had a very nice 81 8 ft bed with a 3 speed on the column. Not many of them, but they did make them into at least the early 80s
I’m surprised, so far, no “WHY? Why can’t they offer a truck like this today, and hence the 5 figure price tag for what was once the least expensive form of transportation. We all know the real reason why, and no sense preaching to the choir. The very last column shifted manual pickup, I read was the 1986 Ford F150 pickup.( some say ’87 GM pickup) For cars, it was ’77 Comet, ’79 Aspen, ’79 Nova, ’76 Pacer.
It’s a nice find, off your nut to spend that kind of money, but if the last trip to the grocery store tells you anything, what a bargain,,,
Beautiful truck! I love the stepside trucks. Even the Ford and Dodge stepsides were so cool. It’s like an attractive lady you just can’t help but look!
Howard A, an additional thought to your comment of “Why can’t they offer a truck like this today?” Try ordering, and actually receiving, a ‘truck’ today with a real 8 foot bed. They are listed as available options by the big 3 (no, I will not capitalize the word ‘big’ for the obvious reason), but if, and how long it takes to receive one with that 8 foot bed is a mystery in itself. As I’ve mentioned in other posts on here, I’ll stick with my ’93 Buick Roadmaster Wagon if I need to haul 8 foot sheets of plywood in the luxury of comfort at the same time. And my wagon has a standard 8 foot cargo area with the rear seat folded down.
Before the ‘slam-dunks” on here respond, I know this truck featured is only a 6 foot bed. I was responding specifically to Howard A’s comments.
Needs Ls swapped and Chevy truck rally wheels. Only things I’d need for it to be my 80 mile work commuter, dry weather only.
Or a GN transplant .
Never seen an original with different color door panels than the dash and seat. What happened to the emblems on the passenger fender? I’m guessing body damage maybe.
I agree. Never seen different color door panels. They should be red to match. Maybe they were replacements. Weve had countless square bodies between me, my Dad and brother and all of them the dash pads would crack and the door panels would fade and deteriorate. But I love these trucks, they were everywhere when I was a kid and now you see less and less.
Only thing this needs is my company name on the doors. Buy!
What a truck! The last step side I had was a 1983 F100, short bed, 300 6 cyl with a 3 speed and overdrive.
Mine was also black with red interior, A/C , no carpet , no power windows or locks, no power heated mirrors .The truck had great stripes on it as well as white Ford wagon wheels. I paid around $7200.00 for it and sold it for just under $10,000.00 4 years later with 43000 miles on it.
I would buy this truck but my wife ( admit it guys the wife has the last word) said my 3 go carts need to go , my NASCAR collection ( 11 Die-Cast with several autographed) not ready to sell my stuff yet!
!975 was the first year for unleaded gas. I bought a fender side October of 1974 and It was 3 speed on the column 350 with a four barrel carb. I still have the truck to this day. Did a frame off in 2000.