Said to have had only two owners over the last 46 years, this 1980 Chevrolet C-10 Silverado Stepside has a great look, with graphics, a hint of fading, and some surface rust poking out here and there. I have more fading and surface rust than this truck does, and this thing will last much longer than I will. It’s posted here on craigslist in the Dublin, California area, and they’re asking $12,800. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
Fleetside short-bed pickups from Chevy typically get all the love, but I like a Stepside. It’s an unusual combo on this sharp-edged third-generation cab to have a 1940s/50s-looking fat-fender Stepside bed, but I like it. The third-gen C/Ks were made for model years 1972 through 1991 in most markets, and this is clearly the rear-wheel-drive version. The front end looks low, doesn’t it? I’m guessing it’s stock; there’s no mention of any modifications. This truck is said to have no rust, and that has to mean rust-through, as in holes. There is some surface rust here and there.
I’m a graphics junkie for these special paint schemes from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. You can see that, as with most manufacturers who offered a Stepside/Flareside-type fender-side bed, the details haven’t changed that much over the decades. The perilously exposed taillights, the exposed tailgate “chains,” and all of those details carried over from maybe even before WWII. Ford was reportedly the last major manufacturer to offer a fenderside pickup bed, with their 2009 Flareside. Chevy did away with theirs in 2006.
For a top-trim Silverado, I’m surprised to see an all-vinyl seat here. A somewhat similar vinyl bench seat (although in green) is shown in the lower Scottsdale trim on page 7 of this 1980 Chevrolet pickup brochure. Is this a replacement seat cover? The pattern doesn’t match the brochure really at all, and wouldn’t this have been a plaid fabric seat? Bob_in_TN is our Ford guru; who’s our Chevy guru? Geo? This truck is almost as loaded as it got for this era, with power windows, power locks, AC, cruise, and more. The bed has a nice wood plank floor, along with a random assortment of stuff that would probably be sliding and banging around back there. Maybe they were just set in there and weren’t on driving duty.
The engine is Chevy’s 350-cu.in. OHV V8, which should have around 175 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Power passes through an automatic transmission and sends power to the rear wheels, and the seller says it runs great but needs new tires. Hagerty lists a #3 good-condition example at $16,500, so $12,800 seems like a reasonable price for this good-looking Silverado Stepside. What do you think? I’d love to own this one.
This vinyl bench seat was an alternative to cloth in all three upgraded trim levels. And it is an upgrade with a richer pleated pattern and full foam cushion that weren’t part of the base vinyl seat in Custom Deluxes. If it had a blue velour seat and blue graphics itd be my dream truck age 6. Instead my dad bought a base trim 8′ fleetside and I became a small-car fan right around the time I started driving.
My gut tells me this has been lowered slightly in front only.
This truck has been lowered. Front for sure and possibly the rear also. They never sat this low in the front. I would be a little concerned about the front suspension travel. Either it’s on the front bump stops Or the bump stops have been shortened. Good looking truck that is only a few hours drive away. But I’m not currently in the market.
Seems reasonably priced. Someone will snatch this up quick. Also, no cutting required if you wanted to put a short regular box on it. But I wouldn’t do that. Those graphics are kinda cool.
If the pictures accurately represent its condition the price isn’t bad. It looks like the type of truck people were modifying in the 1970’s and 1980’s, short bed stepsides were the truck of choice. You’d see several modified examples, models from the early-1960’s, then they virtually disappeared. I’d leave it pretty much alone and drive it, it’s a good representation of the types of trucks that were popular.
Steve R
You’re killing me Scotty….. Well …. No not really. I like short bed step sides. ’80 was the last year for the original design hood and front fenders ( my favorite) before the more aerodynamic front design in ’81 came out. Also, ’80 is the only year for square headlights on the original design front nose too. The graphics are unique, and looks like they did a nice job on them. I agree with nlpnt I think the nose was dropped a bit but has a nice stance to it. Tip of the hat to Rocco P for the find too. Thanks Scotty. I enjoyed this one very much.
Someone swapped the grille because 80 had it’s own grille
Probably a “close enough” replacement for a damaged one. GM made so many trivial changes year to year on these beasts of burden that a pre ’81 squarebody with all it’s trim present and year-correct is the exception.
A Silverado step side is a rare sight for sure. Most were built as the entry level utility or price leader units. Those appear to be aftermarket power window and lock controls. Decent looking old Chevy.