Vehicle Description
Chevy has been making pickup trucks since the '30s and when you
make a gazillion of them, well that's no small amount of practice.
Made to withstand all the punishment that a commercial vehicle
needs to tolerate, this 1988 Chevrolet Silverado pickup appears to
have led a very pampered existence. There can't be many survivors
that are nicer, leading us to wonder if it's time for the Silverado
to become a genuine collector vehicle. With great looks, V8 power,
and remarkable originality, this great-looking truck deserves your
full attention.
Whether you call it dark red or maroon, it will always be in style,
especially in a pickup truck, and we have to admit that it works
especially well on the Chevy C/K series of trucks. Combined with
the regular cab and short step-side bed, the Silverado has a sporty
demeanor and a great look. It remains in great condition for being
over 30 years old, and the shiny paint has weathered the years far
better than most GM products of the era, needing nothing more than
a professional detail to really look great. There are a few minor
blemishes, but no major road rash, just a few touch-ups here and
there, and it's clear that someone really cared for this truck.
There was not much chrome fitted to these workhorses but what is
there remains in pretty good condition, including both bumpers. And
if you're actually going to put it to work, you'll be happy to find
a heavy-duty carpet mat that protects the bed floor, and a cool
of-the-era fiberglass bed cover that keeps the entire bed out of
the elements.
Slip inside and have a seat. A comfortable cloth bench seat makes
this a first-class way to haul your gear and the burgundy cloth
upholstery looks immaculately maintained. Because this is a
Silverado it is optioned with all the creature comforts, including
air conditioning which still blows ice cold, plus an AM/FM/Cassette
stereo, cruise control, power windows, power locks, and a tilt
wheel are all at your fingertips, further blurring the line between
blue and white collar transportation. And we haven't forgotten that
this is a truck with a half-ton load capacity and so power steering
and power front disc brakes make it all manageable. The dash pad
isn't even cracked, which is quite remarkable for one of these, and
the big rear window provides a cool fish-bowl view of everything
around the cabin, something not found in today's fat-paneled,
thick-pillared trucks. Given the condition of the interior, there's
just no question that the two owner's that previously possessed
this truck treated it like a member of the family.
Open the hood and inspect the nicely detailed engine bay. This
Silverado is equipped with the 350 cubic inch V8 that has been
fitted to everything from Camaros to, well, pickup trucks. There's
more than enough power available if you choose to leave the motor
bone stock like this one, which looks like it just rolled out of
the showroom and still runs superbly. It's shockingly clean in
there, even down to the black snorkeled air cleaner. The 700R4
4-speed automatic transmission is also performing without complaint
and there isn't a better transmission available to mate to the 350;
after all, fuel mileage matters these days. Also take a look at the
super solid undercarriage, where you'll find no secrets, thanks to
a lifetime spent in the warm South, and again, it suggests that
this truck has led a very good life. Stock steel wheels with beauty
rings and center caps add some period-correct flash to the deep red
pickup, endowing it with a serious demeanor and it carries fat
Kelly white-letter radials all around.
This is a great-looking truck today, and as these Silverados become
more and more collectable each year, we're certain this beauty will
be wise investment for the future. Call today!
