1972 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Turbo

Description

This 1972 Chevrolet C10 pickup is probably more muscle car than pickup truck. 540 turbocharged cubic inches, 4-wheel disk brakes, a suspension designed to plant the horsepower, and a luxurious interior with all the amenities, it makes a very compelling argument for balanced performance.

These trucks are some of the most handsome to ever come out of GM's styling studios, but this one has a decidedly road racing vibe to it. Part of it comes from the lowered stance (we'll talk more about the suspension in a moment) but part of it comes from the no-nonsense white paint, which kind of echoes the "bodies in white" the automakers used to supply to race teams. Finish work is pretty good with signs of use, but then again, this truck isn't about making a visual statement, it's about the driving experience. Nevertheless, the cowl induction hood, blacked-out grille, and cool hash marks on the front fenders all reinforce the performance vibe that this truck gives off at long range. Perhaps the white paint and subtle shine were designed to keep this C10 off the radar, and it does that superbly, blending in until it's too late. The bed was covered with spray-in bedliner, so it's still functional, although you'll need to be careful of the secondary cooling system tucked into the corner. A lot of money was spent here, but much of it went under the skin.

The interior is more Camaro than pickup truck, with comfortable bucket seats and a wide center console. The chairs were obviously borrowed from a late-model and they work rather well with the rest of the C10's interior. Stock-style door panels include integrated speakers, while the dash pad has cool molded-in gauge pods with gauges to monitor fuel pressure (not functioning), boost, and the air/fuel ratio, all critical on turbocharged applications. The factory gauges in the dash were replaced by Auto Meter dials and it that's not enough, there's a knock sensor and a digital monitoring system under the dash. And if that's not enough to keep you entertained, it's also got controls for the Air Ride suspension, making this a truck you can truly fine-tune to suit just about any driving style or situation. There's also a decent-sounding stereo system, functional air-conditioning with R134a refrigerant, and a fat Grant GT steering wheel to manage the helm.

Open the hood and you'll see where the good stuff is, starting with a Big M Dart 540 cubic inch big block V8 topped by a Precision 88mm turbocharger blowing 8-9 pounds of boost into it. It happily runs on pump gas thanks to a Brodix intake, Crane hydraulic roller cam, and an MSD ignition with 2-step retard. There's a big aluminum radiator up front and that secondary cooling system can be activated by a toggle on the dash, so this sucker never complains. The 4L60E 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission turns a new carbon fiber driveshaft connected to a Ford 9-inch with 3.73 gears inside, offering the best of acceleration and cruising abilities. Four-wheel disc brakes, dropped spindles, fat sway bars, and airbags in back give it that crouching stance and impressive handling on the street. A professional tune means that it runs and drives like a stocker but unleashes all the fury when you drop the pedal, a remarkable achievement. Weld wheels and Mickey Thompson 325/50/15 drag radials in back try to hook it all up and mostly succeed.

If you've taken a good look at this truck, you know it's something special. Don't let the subtle look fool you, there's a huge pile of cash spent to make it reliable and streetable, and the next kid in a warmed-over Mustang won't even know what hit him. Call today!