1963 Chevrolet C10

Description

You can do a lot with an old pickup truck, but when they're restored to the level of this 1963 Chevrolet C10 pickup, shows and cruise-ins should be your primary interest. Gorgeous paint, a fresh interior, and a sharp-dressed small block make this one a winner for guys who like trophies but maybe not so much for the guy who needs to haul a load of plywood.

That red paint doesn't look this good by accident. No, there's a ton of time tied up in the bodywork on this cool stepside, and given that it wasn't until recently that these trucks were legitimate collectors' items, it stands to reason that finding clean ones is none too easy. Fortunately, this one looks great and stands up well under close scrutiny. Panel fit is good all around, the surfaces were all properly blocked and prepped, and the two-stage urethane paint has a shine that's deep and lustrous. There's a familiar look to an old red pickup, so they didn't alter the original bodywork, but then again, these trucks look so good that they almost look customized right off the showroom floor. Check out the little wing on the back of the cab, the crease running through the rear fenders, and those gorgeous wrap-around bumpers that are more Cadillac than pickup truck. In fact, most of the chrome and stainless was restored or replaced, and it all glitters brightly against the red finish. And no old pickup would be complete without a shiny wooden bed, and that's certainly the case here.

The handsome black interior looks freshly restored and if not totally accurate, at least period correct. Pleats on the seat, a big, thin-rimmed steering wheel, and a painted dash were all appropriate pieces of a truck interior in the early '60s. Part of the C10's popularity had to do with its twin cockpit look which mirrored the Corvette and other passenger cars, marking one of the first times designers actually made the interior of a truck look sporty. Of course, lots of upgrades make this one a cruising favorite, including an engine-turned instrument panel with new Equus gauges, custom door panels, carpeted floors, and an A/C system tucked discreetly under the dash. New tinted glass with fresh weather-stripping was installed all around, which surely helps out in warmer climates, and heavy-duty floor mats keep it looking fresh.

For power, a new 350 cubic inch crate motor was dropped between the fenders then splashed with chrome. It's only got about 2000 miles on it since the installation, just enough to work out the bugs but not so much that it knocks the freshness off. A 4-barrel carburetor and aluminum intake help build power, and most of the ancillary stuff was dipped in chrome before it was installed. The brake booster and master cylinder are recent, the radiator was just cleaned, and a set of disc brakes were installed up front, so it's ready to drive cross-country at a moment's notice. An automatic transmission and heavy-duty rear end mean that it's still technically capable of working like a truck, although the sweet-sounding dual exhaust system is more Camaro than C10. And there's no avoiding those giant chrome Boss Motorsports wheels, which have been wrapped in brand new 255/50/20 front and 285/50/20 rear Nitto radials.

This is a really nice truck that's totally impossible to duplicate for the asking price. If you like vintage haulers, this one should appeal to you. Call today!