The seller of this awesome 1976 Chevrolet C-10 freely admits that the original decals, courtesy of the factory Sport stripe package, were a big reason for buying the truck. I wholeheartedly endorse this approach, as silly as it seems, mainly because it’s incredibly hard to find any vehicle with a factory stripe kit surviving with these cool, period decals in place. The seller has listed his C-10 here on eBay with bids to $3,550 and the reserve unmet.
The stepside bed is another desirable feature, and when you add it all up, this C-1o left the dealership as a very well-equipped truck way back in 1976. The seller notes he snagged it out of Kansas in 2021, which presumably translates to mostly dry condition underneath. The meaty, white-letter radials look fantastic on here, and while the paint is faded in spots, you can’t beat the patina. Even with cracks in the decals, I’ll take these authentic stripes over a reproduction kit any day of the week.
The interior is in very decent shape for an unrestored truck, and based on the description, the cabin hasn’t needed much work. Of course, it’s also delightfully simple, with manual controls and a bench seat. The work done by the seller has been focused on mechanical improvements, including a new fuel tank, Edelbrock 1406 carburetor and 2701 Performer aluminum intake, steering box, TCI transmission and torque converter, alternator, rotors, calipers, brakes, wheel cylinders, axle seals, BF Goodrich All Terrains 31×10.5, and more.
With all that work done and incredible patina on the outside, I’m not sure what else you’d want to do with this survivor C-10. The seller notes it’s equipped with the Big 10 package as well, which “…gives it a GVWR of 6050 and was/is exempt from all emissions and has heavy duty springs.” The emissions exemption was a clever move by GM at the time to deal with changing regulations and is worth a read if you’ve got 10 minutes to kill. The seller is right to put a reserve on this old farm rig, and hopefully, the next owner refrains from painting it.
Now this is actual patina. Which still translates to needs painted, but no one tried to make it look this way except mother nature and abuse.
Yes indeed. It would be nice if it stays price accordingly. The reality is it’s a 5k truck. Yet I’m sure some lunatic will bid it well over 15k.
If it runs as good as it looks then let’s go! Very unpretentious. The interior looks exceptional for circa 1976 plastic. My ’79 desintegrated long ago. Nevertheless this is a good truck that you may be able to drive a while longer. Replacement parts are everywhere.
The only difference in this truck and the one I owned is the color. Mine was Omaha Orange, with the white stripes great truck !
I had a truck identical in every way to this truck. Most of these trucks were oddly equipped, like this truck, my truck did not have power steering. I don’t think these were exactly BIG 10 trucks, that series was clearly marked as such, by various call-outs on, and inside the truck. One got the impression these trucks were built out of a large fleet order that was cancelled.
Sweet truck!
The best things about squarebody trucks is that they were/are everywhere. You can easily find parts for them and they are super easy to work on. However, they certainly aren’t rust-belt tolerant.
In 1968, I decided to buy my first vehicle. I taught scuba diving and thought a pickup truck would be perfect for me. I was ready to pay $2,600, in cash. My dad got involved and embarrassed me by getting the price down to exactly $2,300. My dad didn’t even like me.
When the government demanded that I take a vacation in southeast Asia, I sold the truck, one year later, for exactly $2,300.
I loved the ole C10 and it is still the best investment that I ever made, after lo, these 55 years.
Mine was turquoise and had exactly no options, not even FM.
I had a 1976 GMC 1/2 ton 6 cylinder engine that had 3/4 ton rear springs and it was dark green. I loved that truck and wish I had it today. The only modification I made was adding an FM converter to the exist AM receiver. During the blizzard of 1978, I had to drive to work to shut down the plant. Coming home it stalled and when I lifted the hood the engine compartment was packed full of snow. I cleared it out, dried off the ignition and got it started. It took a few minutes before it was running on all 6 again, but I got home. It was two wheel drive and had cement weights and tire chains.
This is a “REAL” truck. Not this creature comfort B.S. that they’re selling today for 70K plus. You can throw something in the bed and not have a panic attack.
If it does sell north of 10K, it’s a bargain. For less than 15K you have a reliable truck you can enjoy and actually work on yourself. And unlike today’s trucks, parts are available. Bring back as many of these as we can find!
A Big Block would’ve been the only thing that would’ve made this truck the absolute most wanted of the era! I would be bidding on it myself if a factory ordered 454 was under the hood! The 76 454 may not be everything the 70 LS 6 was, but, those trucks didn’t weigh anything and if properly tuned would smoke a Vette, Trans Am, or Z-28 any way you run it!
A Big Block 454 wasn’t available in any of the Muscle Cars in 76, only the Trucks could have one, but I’m not positive about the Impala and Caprice in 76. To the best of my knowledge the 454 quit going in to all cars in 1974 but correct me if I’m wrong.
Big block in full size thru ’76, mid size thru ’75. Truck offered ’78 w/o cat converter.
Probably going to upset some but I would do a decal delete and get the truck repainted, still thinking about what color to change it to