1981 Chevrolet C10

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!