1991 Chevrolet S-10 Prototype

Description

You probably did a double-take when you saw this 1991 Chevrolet S-10 pickup, didn't you? That's good, because this truck has an awesome story and if you like unique machines, this one is sure to delight. It's a one-of-a-kind prototype featuring a composite bed called the Durango (before Dodge had the name, of course). Better yet, it's fully documented and has just 5059 original miles, and no, that's not a typo.

It was built as a prototype to see if the heavy-duty plastic bed could stand up to the rigors of regular use and how much the lightweight bed could boost fuel economy. And as long as they were starting from scratch, why not make it look cool, too? The truck is still in showroom-fresh shape with very few signs of use, mostly because it spent the last 20+ years in the lobby of the National Composite Center (NCC) as a static display. Since then, it's been rehabbed so it's in great condition mechanically and the paint remains at least as good as GM was doing things in 1991, probably better since it was largely hand-built. We've always liked the looks of these square-jawed S-10s, and this one has a purposeful, no-nonsense look that comes from blacked out bumpers and a matching grille, as well as those bulging rear fenders that hint at a vintage stepside bed-in fact, a step was molded in ahead of the rear wheels! The doors fit well, the hood lines up right, and there's a great shine to the Garnet Red paint that probably can't be duplicated anywhere at any price. And the bed is indeed fully functional, showing off zero signs of use although it's ready to haul if you are.

The interior is bone stock, but when you have buckets and a console in a compact pickup, that's a good thing. The black vinyl upholstery is almost entirely unmarked, the carpets are like new, and the door panels look great; heck, even the headliner is still taut, a notable problem for GM back in those days. This truck is loaded with options, too, including A/C, a tilt wheel, power windows and locks, and a factory AM/FM/cassette stereo with graphic equalizer. There's also a full digital instrument panel that is bright and crisp; when was the last time you saw one of those? And yes, it's a 4x4, with a shift-on-the-fly lever on the floor for managing the drive system.

GM's 4.3 liter V6 was essentially ¾ of a 350 V8, which explains why it's torquey and virtually indestructible. 100% stock and barely broken-in, this one runs extremely well with a familiar 4.3 grumble from the single exhaust. The original air cleaner, accessories, warning labels, and other parts are all completely intact, making this a real time capsule of a truck. The underside is likewise very well preserved and completely stock, and if you've forgotten how well these trucks worked, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the agile handling and comfortable ride. Nothing's been modified and after some time in storage, the necessary service work was done to make this truck ready to enjoy right away. Experts might note that the wheels are from a later model, and they're wrapped in new 235/75/15 Cooper all-terrain radials, but the original wheels are included with the truck.

There are a lot of things to love here, not the least of which is its totally unique presentation. Low mileage, lots of options, cool bed, full documentation, what else do you need? Call today!