1970 Chevrolet C10 Stepside Restomod

Description

This 1970 Chevrolet C10 Stepside Restomod is exactly the kind of classic truck you would build for yourself if you wanted to drive it all the time and bask in non-stop attention. Finished to an extremely high level with excellent Blue Metallic paint and a gorgeous custom interior, it's the kind of Action Line pickup you see dominating car shows and bringing huge bucks at all the televised auctions. With a modern 5.3L LS V8 under the hood, a built 4L60E managing the shifts, and a custom suspension setting the stance, it's one of the finest C10s we've ever featured. Bottom line, this is a no-excuses truck.

Finished to top driver-quality (if not borderline show-quality) standards, the vibrant Blue Metallic finish (borrowed from Subaru's color chart) is the first thing you notice on this dynamic restomod. It's an incredibly attractive, attention-grabbing shade that was expertly applied over laser-straight bodywork, and with high-class livery like this, the stepside looks like it's dressed for a night out on the town. Despite countless hours in the restoration shop, the builders kept the exterior changes to a minimum, allowing for the original 'Glamour Line' C10 design to still shine through. The classic shape of the 2nd generation C10 is undeniably attractive, but when it's wrapped in a glossy modern paint and punctuated with a few choice upgrades, it's downright arresting. Obviously, the lowered stance, HID headlights/LED taillights, and oversized rolling stock are excellent add-ons, but elements like the '68 front grille, modern door handles, and roll-pan rear end are a bit more subtle, yet they still turn the curb appeal up to '11'. Painting the grille, headlight surrounds, front bumper, mirrors, door handles, emblems, and trim in a contrasting Tungsten Grey was a perfect choice for the squared-off look of the Action Line pickup, and even though the restoration is a few years old, it's almost as clean as it was the day it was completed. We poured over the truck and only found minor imperfections, so whether you want to show-or-go, it's equally capable. It still has a practical bed, although it too was finished to a high standard with gray indoor/outdoor carpeting that covers up access to the air-ride suspension and houses the relocated gas tank and gel-cell battery. Capped bed rails, a slick tailgate, and deleted rear bumper replaced with a roll pan set-up all provide a custom look that works better on a C10 than pretty much anywhere else, and the black tonneau cover over is a slick addition that's also very practical.

The upscale theme continues inside where everything was redone by the pros at Cato's Customs Upholstery and it all still smells new. A sculpted, custom bench seat wrapped in neatly tailored gray plaid cloth and black leather upholstery anchors the interior, flanked by gorgeous matching door panels, while plush black carpets on the floors and a bespoke gray plaid headliner up above add a touch of sophistication inside. All the exposed steel was painted Blue Metallic to match the exterior, including the dash that features a new black pad, digital gauges set inside carbon fiber inlays, and a super-cool billet steering wheel that's surrounded by a carbon-fiber style rim and was mounted on a tilt column. And it even features paddle shifters, which is the first time we've ever seen that modern feature implemented in a vintage truck. How cool is that? Options include cold Vintage Air A/C, LED ambient lighting, power windows, shoulder seatbelts, and a Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX that manages the aftermarket speakers in the kick panels. There's a whole lot of expensive hardware behind the surface too, with MSD Atomic engine and transmission controllers mounted in the glovebox, a programmer for the air-bag suspension that's been wired through the center of the seat, and the builders set up a state-of-the-art ISIS Intelligence Multiplex System behind the bench seat that organizes and reduces a lot of the truck's electrical systems. Everything is very fresh inside, and with all those creature comforts the cab is definitely a comfortable place in which to spend some time.

Under the hood is where the real party begins with a fuel-injected 5.3L LS V8 that fits neatly in the Chevy's custom finished, matte-blue engine bay. Professionally installed, the motor is highlighted by color-matched valve covers, a gloss-black tube and cone-filter for the cold-air intake system, a March serpentine system with custom brackets and airbrushed pulleys, and neatly assorted MSD plug wires/coil packs/plumbing at the flanks. 761 heads and a healthy cam help build power, and the inside of the block was reportedly bored and stroked (although we don't have the specifics), while block-hugging headers help the engine breathe easy through a set of cackling stainless mufflers with electric cut-outs. Power steering and Wilwood 4-wheel discs with drilled and slotted rotors are included, and with fuel injection and modern electronics, it starts instantly, idles smoothly, and has an awesome torque curve that makes it a blast to drive. It's backed by a 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive that handles the horsepower with ease thanks to a driver-friendly TCI stall convertor, and it spins a sturdy Detroit Locker 12-bolt rear end packed with 3.73 gears. The Goodyear air-bags fore and aft have been pre-programmed for three easy ride heights (just press 1,2, or 3 on the module), and the suspension is further augmented with tubular A-arms up front and a Porter Built rear with tubular trailing arms, a panhard bar, and upgraded shocks in the back. Flashy Torque Thrusts look slick and stuff the wheelwells with staggered 235/50/18 front and 275/45/20 rear Toyos.

All the time and big money has already been spent, now all that remains is some quality cruising time. Call today!