Vehicle Description
Fans of the '70s, this 1978 Chevrolet C10 Bonanza pickup will bring
back good memories of a wonderful time. Forget your Eisenhower
Silver Dollar collection, your Kenny Rogers albums, and even Hoss,
Little Joe, and Hop-Sing from the eponymous TV show that helped
promote this limited-edition LWB truck. This attractive Chevy C10
is your express ticket back to your youth, and it takes you there
with a period-perfect two-tone color combination, a comfortable
interior, and a strong 350 V8 under the hood.
The good news is that this is a 'Rounded Line' Chevy C10 pickup
truck, and that brings with it all the good stuff that these trucks
possess: rugged good looks, unmatched durability, and the ability
to handle all the performance modifications that you'd find on a
Camaro or Chevelle. The two-tone color combination is awesome, if
we're using GM names from the era it's likely Buckskin over Medium
Graystone by the looks of it, although calling it Champagne over
Charcoal might be a bit more apropos for pragmatic laymen. The
finish is far too nice to be original, although it still has a
proper look that could easily pass for being factory-applied,
showing a great shine, immense depth and luster, and only limited
signs of use and age. Even though it's totally appropriate for the
late-'70s, it's not drab and orange-based like so many colors from
that era, so it has a very timeless quality to it that will look
proper for years to come. The sheetmetal is all-original by the
looks of things and it's impressively straight, so you don't have
to wonder if this was some kind of work truck brought back to life.
Instead, it has obviously been something special all its life, with
great gaps, matching panels, and doors that fit flush. The C10
offers plenty of eye candy, too, including the original chrome
bumpers fore and aft, an unmarked original chrome grille, and those
unique 'Bonanza' emblems on the front fenders. All the profile and
tailgate trim were left in place and that's great news because it
plays a critical role as a line of demarcation between the truck's
two colors, and it too shines up beautifully against the paint. And
if you want it to work for a living, the 8-foot bed was sprayed
with durable spray-in bed liner that can handle just about anything
you throw at it.
This truck's a real treat is inside too, where it sports a
combination of original and reproduction parts to create an
all-of-a-piece look that's just the way you remember. The wide
bench seat sports a recent gray cloth-and-vinyl seat cover that's
all-day comfortable, and matches the crack-free dash pad that runs
from end-to-end. Tan door panels appear to be fresh re-pops that
look great, matching the plush tan carpets below, and the color
combination inside the cab matches the exterior quite well. There's
an original steering wheel anchoring the cockpit - mounted atop a
factory tilt column that adds plenty of room for the driver - and
just ahead of lay a full set of factory gauges still place. Options
are somewhat sparse, but you do get factory A/C (needs to be
serviced), an original AM/FM radio (not currently working), and a
set of seatbelts that add safety. The rear window offers a sliding
glass, so while you wait to have you're A/C serviced and radio
updated, the rushing wind that blows through the cabin should
certainly suffice as a luxury.
Nothing runs better than a smooth Chevy small block, and this C10
still carries what is likely its original 350 cubic inch V8 under
the hood. Still quite stock and nicely maintained, it runs superbly
with a V8 burble at idle and smooth torque throughout. A stock
snorkeled air cleaner and matching black valve covers keep it
looking OEM, and although there are obvious signs of use, there's
plenty of evidence of good maintenance as well. The TH350 3-speed
automatic handles the small block with ease and shifts very
smoothly and with friendly gears in the heavy-duty 12-bolt rear
end, it's a fantastic highway cruiser. The single exhaust system
features a recent muffler, and the rest of the chassis is stock and
nicely preserved, albeit not detailed for show. Power steering and
power front disc brakes ensure an enjoyable ride every time out,
and the four blacked-out steel wheels are adorned with chrome
center caps and beauty rings and wrapped in 235/75/15 white-letter
Goodyear Wrangler radials that finish the look perfectly.
Clean, nicely preserved, and a ton of fun to drive, this C10 with
rare Bonanza trim will definitely get its share of double-takes.
Call today!
