Vehicle Description
Pickup trucks may very well be this generation's muscle cars. V8
power, rear-wheel-drive, rugged mechanicals, and inexpensive to
purchase and upgrade, they're great vehicles that open a lot of
opportunities for the hobbyist. This 1981 Chevrolet C10 pickup is a
fine example, with a few muscle car-like upgrades and a lot of
style for a bargain-basement price.
If you want a muscle truck, the short bed/regular cab combination
is what you want. Compact, maneuverable, and relatively light, it
puts traditional performance into a manageable package that you can
use every day. The stealthy black paint job looks pretty darned
good, despite being finished in 2006. There's no sign that this was
ever a rusty vehicle, and the bodywork looks factory-grade no
matter where you look, and only a few chips on the rockers give
away its age. C10s are popular with truck enthusiasts thanks to
their square-jawed good looks, and this one is no exception,
sticking to the factory look without any of the usual add-ons guys
usually install. The bumpers look original with a nice shine, the
oversized side mirrors mean it's still fully functional as a truck,
and the bed is so nice you might think twice about doing any
hauling in it. Just think of this as a muscle car with the world's
biggest trunk.
The interior remains pretty original and true to the truck's 1980s
sensibilities. The black vinyl upholstery is a great contrast to
the tan carpets and door panels and the seat cover on the original
bench is brand new. In fact, almost everything is new, including
the door panels, kick panels, trim pieces, dash pad, and even the
carpets. There's a full array of gauges for the driver, a tilt
steering column, cold factory A/C, and cruise control, all of which
suggest this truck was built for driving, not working. A padded
dash protector will keep things looking good for years, and the
same goes for the heavy-duty rubber floor mats on the carpets. And
for those days when the A/C isn't quite needed, you get a sliding
rear window which makes it a pleasant place to be without a lot of
extra wind.
Power comes from a fresh 350 cubic inch crate motor, which delivers
entertaining performance in the lightweight pickup truck body.
Fortified with aluminum center-bolt heads, an aluminum GM Bow Tie
intake manifold, a mile cam, a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and HEI
ignition system, it's a fantastic runner once it's warmed up. With
fewer than 15,000 miles on it, the engine still runs strong and the
lightweight truck feels downright fast around town. A few Edelbrock
dress-up items are in place and with a good deep cleaning, this
engine bay could really sparkle. Long-tube headers and a Flowmaster
dual exhaust system not only add power but sound fantastic as well.
The underside is original, but this truck comes from down south, so
it's no rust bucket. You also get a slick-shifting TH350 3-speed
automatic transmission and a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end with 3.73
gears inside. 15-inch Rally wheels give it an awesome look and
carry 225/70/15 blackwall radials.
So don't fret about not being able to afford a vintage Camaro. This
pickup delivers similar thrills for a bargain price, just like that
Camaro did back in the day. Call today!