Vehicle Description
We get a lot of these clean mid-80s Chevy pickups, and they're
always pleasant, clean machines. But every so often, one like this
1986 Chevrolet C10 shows up and smacks us around a bit. This one is
every bit as clean and functional as the others, but it packs a
snarling, rebuilt 350 cubic inch V8 motor under the hood, a slick
color combination, and a very comfortable interior - all of which
make it more muscle truck than utilitarian hauler.
While we tend to overlook trucks in our everyday life, this
striking C10 looks downright spectacular in its sleek Sterling Grey
Metallic livery that was applied approximately five years ago.
Maybe it's the way the smoke-tinted windows make it look sinister,
or how the custom pinstripe work provides just enough bespoke curb
appeal, or maybe how the cowl hood previews the beefy V8 that lies
beneath - regardless, it all seems aggressive and clean at once.
It's fairly obvious that this one has been personal transportation
since it was new (and its clean, accident-free vehicle history
report backs up that claim), especially as a regular cab/short bed
model, and most of its hauling was probably limited to a large
trophy or two and helping friends move. As a result, its bodywork
is clean, smooth, and straight, with a great shine to the finish
that really pops in person. It's not perfect, but rather a very
strong driver-quality rig with minimal imperfections to speak of,
and wow does it look dialed-in when it's bombing down the road! Of
course, things like the billet grille and cowl induction hood
certainly help, not to mention those giant 20-inch hoops this
beauty rides on. All the original trim and molding remains in
place, too, so this isn't some custom piece of questionable taste,
and nobody will know anything about it beyond what you want to
show. Bright chrome bumpers enhance the stock look, and the inside
of the bed was coated in a spray-in bed liner just in case you
still want to use it as a truck on occasion.
Open the doors to reveal the restored cabin that's been neatly
finished with both comfort and style in mind. The stock bench seat
was redone with high-end, velour-style upholstery that was
punctuated with bright red stitching and a matching 'Bowtie' emblem
in the seatback, there are custom fresh carpets underneath (also
adorned with a 'Bowtie'), and the black dash pad and matching door
panels look almost brand-new. Options like A/C (needs service), a
tilt steering column, and power windows and locks make it a
pleasure to drive even when you're not using that 350 to its full
potential. The original wheel was ditched in favor of a trick,
leather-and-chrome unit that matches perfectly to the truck's
theme, and with a column shifter and power steering, it's a joy to
handle. Better yet, the factory gauges are crystal clear with
bright, easily legible markings and because they're all operable
there was no need to install any non-matching aftermarket units
under the dash. The result is a super-clean and stock look, with
the only deviations being a 12-volt/USB charger pegged under the
dash, removable cup holders stuck in the ash tray, and the upgraded
Sony AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit in the stock slot.
All that's pretty nice, but the thing that got our attention with
this one is the rebuilt 350 cubic inch V8 under the hood. Rebuilt
not long ago, it's been bored .030 over and comes complete with
heavy-duty hardware like a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, Edelbrock
intake manifold, what sounds like a mild cam, and Hedman long-tube
headers. Thanks to the recent work and upgraded horsepower, it runs
like it's 800 pounds lighter than it is, giving this C10 a very
impressive street presence. For the most part it looks fairly stock
underneath, which is entirely the point, although the open-element
air cleaner and Chevrolet valve covers were painted to match the
exterior and do show off a bit. Modern hardware like the accessory
drive, R134a A/C system, and the big aluminum radiator with dual
cooling fans help this C10 tackle the rigors of frequent driving,
and with a set-up like this anyone should feel comfortable taking a
long-distance journey. A stout TH350 3-speed automatic with a 2500
RPM stall torque converter works hard behind the updated motor,
sending power aft to what's likely the original 10-bolt rear end
filled with highway-friendly 2.73 gears. The Flowmaster dual
exhaust system uses turn-downs well before the rear axle, so the
soundtrack might give things away, but you can't argue with the
spectacular sound. Power steering and power front disc brakes
improve the truck's road manners, and those awesome 20-inch Ridler
wheels wrapped in staggered 255/50/20 rear and 285/50/20
low-profile rubber don't let you sneak around even a little.
Nice truck? Absolutely. But if you're looking for something a
little beyond merely "nice" then this C10 is what you've been
looking for. Call today!
