Artificially Aged: 1966 Chevrolet C10 Pickup
Custom builds come in all shapes and sizes, with the finished product designed to fulfill an owner’s dream. The seller created this 1966 Chevrolet C10 Pickup for their father, but he has decided the time has come to part with a classic with only a few minor needs. It is guaranteed to turn heads in its current form, but the new owner could easily place their brand on this beauty. The C10 is listed here on eBay in Phoenix, Arizona. Bidding has raced to $13,200, which is below the reserve. They also offer a BIN option of $25,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
I have no doubt some readers will sigh with relief that I have avoided using the dreaded “p” word to describe this Pickup, although it may seem appropriate. However, since the appearance is deliberate, I have described it as “artificially aged.” The vehicle isn’t a genuine survivor, but its appearance results from clever painting techniques to capture that feel. The combination of Turquoise, Black, and White has been carefully combined to create the impression this C10 has earned its living down on the farm. The effect is dramatic, and the only signs of genuine aging are visible in the deteriorating bed timber, the original and faded bumper paint, and the rust hole in the lower passenger-side front fender. That appears to be the only rust issue, with the remaining steel appearing rock-solid. Fitting new bed timber would be a rewarding way to occupy a few hours during the colder months, and that seems to be the only cosmetic need. A competent person could fabricate the timber and strips themselves, although there is no shame in throwing caution to the wind and buying a pre-cut complete kit for around $650. The glass looks flawless, and the wheels wear shiny new hubcaps.
The seller decided to create a contrast by restoring this Pickup’s interior. I wouldn’t call it perfect, but the pristine paint, new carpet, and fresh seatcover in the correct combination of cloth and vinyl make a positive impression. The wheel looks excellent, and the gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings. A set of aftermarket gauges hangs below the dash, but I can’t spot any further additions. There is no radio to provide entertainment, so the new owner might have to tune up their tonsils for a round of karaoke on long journeys.
It appears the seller had practicality front and center when devising this Pickup’s drivetrain. It is unclear what originally occupied the engine bay, but power is now derived from a 350ci V8. Its specifications are not disclosed, but the upgraded intake, Edelbrock carburetor, and headers lead me to believe it might churn out around 300hp. That feeds to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission with a column-mounted shifter. The seller focused on ensuring this Pickup was built to a high standard. After all, it was a gift to his father. It rolls on new tires, with the seller confirming it runs and drives perfectly. The winning bidder could fly in and drive home behind the wheel of this classic.
Creating artificially aged paintwork is not for the faint-hearted, but the seller has achieved that goal with this 1966 Chevrolet C10 Pickup. It has no apparent needs beyond the bed timber, although some may feel that addressing the fender rust to prevent deterioration is appropriate. However, I see no reason why the winning bidder couldn’t apply a fresh coat of paint to return the exterior to a factory-fresh state if its current appearance doesn’t tick the boxes for them. That is the beauty of custom builds. They offer something for every taste. What would be your strategy if you were the winning bidder? Would you preserve the seller’s handiwork? Or would adding a personal touch prove irresistible? With twenty-eight bids submitted, it suggests some have a clear vision they wish to act on. Do you?
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Comments
I will take mine without the fake patina but with power steering and power front disc brakes. I like cool old trucks but you shouldn’t have to be reminded how much of a chore they are to drive. If you have 300hp to go you need to be able to slow down.
Id definitely paint it. Thats a beautiful 2 tone color combo when done right. I wonder what it had under the hood originally. I also appreciate the term artificially aged. We all seem to be tired of the dreaded P word these days lol. When the bed timber is fresh and done right it would look nice as well.
Nice truck, but the fake patina is an oxymoron of the highest order. Driveinstile hit it right.
Fake patina is Way over done,in my opinion,it was cool for a few minutes.
Trust me guys I don’t like Patina as much as the next guy but it don’t look all that bad even if it is home made Great looking truck wish it was mine…
We all age naturally, why speed it up?
This is a very cool truck and as you pointed out a new owner could easily make it his own. I would want to bring the paint back to the original look, as you said it is a great look. I would adjust the stance, it would be much lower. I would chrome the bumpers ,new bed wood and change the tires and wheels. This would require a lot of thought. This is the one thing that will set the whole vibe of the truck. The elephant in the room is all this is nice, if money and budget is not a consideration
That rattle can black paint doesn’t in any way look like actual ageing, and doesn’t help what otherwise looks like a decent truck. I had a 64 truck like this one, light blue with white top, and I got more compliments on that truck than any of the other trucks I have owned. I also had more people ask if it was for sale than any other one. I like a truck that’s been used and shows it’s age, but I’ll be glad when the fake patina fad goes away.
If the paint was done to make it look older and well used, they missed the mark on the bumpers and the wheels. No way they would look that nice on a well used work truck. Patina is like using a dye to color my hair grey, counter productive!
I’ve owned the identical twin to this truck for 30+ years, without question, it is my favorite special interest vehicle over time.
Driven more than any of my other old cars X3. A Fairweather driver, dirt roads, cargo, Small scratches as you go-no problem. I put about 40,000 miles on the truck in that time and it still looks nearly as fresh as when I put it together in ‘92. Never been to a car show with it but it’s still a thumbs up vehicle everywhere I go.
This truck looks exceptional me. These trucks in almost any climate rust to death. If the fender rust is any indication of the rest of the vehicle, this one is a winner. Not sure what the complaint is about the bed wood(?) looks to be in very good condition to me, certainly looks cargo ready. Even the faux worn paint (which I usually dislike) seems to be very well done and convincing. And I’ll see it as a plus, put a key in and go, wear n scratches from day today – no big deal and you can just wash it off quickly with the garden hose , done. From the pictures, the truck looks to be well put together, if it checks out in person, I feel it’s worth every penny of the 25K asking.
If it was real patina all you guys would still hate on it, just stick with you hate patina, no need to specify what kind. If this had “real” patina, to only this extent, I wouldn’t do body/paint. Since it isn’t, it’s simply not for me.
On the contrary, genuine patina tells a story. Every scratch, every dent, and every patch of faded paint or surface rust is part of that story. Worn paint around the ashtray? Someone was a smoker. Surface rust on the driver’s door sill? Someone liked to drive with his arm out the window. Dozens of dents on the bumper? Someone parked using the Braille method. I have a genuine appreciation for natural patina, in part because it cannot be faked.
The patina, which I am not a big fan of was done *fairly* well… except for the large circular sanded areas on either side of the back window, they look odd and un-natural, and the vertically sanded drivers side sail panel. Bonus points for using a flat/matte clear as opposed to a high gloss.
I swear most of these folks who create fake patina have never seen the real thing. Where are the scratches? The dents? The surface rust? Why are the wheels, grille, and bumpers perfect? Why is there wear in places that don’t see a lot of sun or contact? This must stop.
Even the tailgate looks like one that you would find on a showroom truck. That and the perfect wheels and hubcaps destroy a look of being a work truck.
The idea of a vehicle’s ‘patina’ adding value doesn’t make much sense to me. There are/were junkyards full of vehicles with patina galore. To me the idea of ‘clear-coat over patina’ is the same bad idea as body filler and paint over rust :
but it looks good now
Why spend the time, money and labor on bodywork, primer and paint only to spend more time, money and labor to undo the effort and make the vehicle look like it resembles a well-worn, aged vehicle? A wrap can do the same and still “tromper l’oeil” (fool the eye) far, far, far more realistically and for much less expense. Having the obviously fake patina being easily removable would be a better selling point.
I have always liked these mid sixties Chevy trucks. In the early to mid seventies I had a company furnished 65. Six cylinder with three on the tree. It got the job done and as I remember was a comfortable ride whether loaded or not. I’d like to own this one. But I’d want to return to the original paint scheme. I agree with others that the “patina” on the rear of the cab on each side of the window looks contrived. I have nothing against real patina. My 1952 Plymouth has it’s share. But it has been acquired over 71 years. This truck looks like it had fairly decent paint before the sander and rattle can treatment. But it’s a free country. To each their own. Any way the new owner decides to go they’ll have a nice old ride. GLWTS.
I like the truck, I’d drive it everyday and be proud of it…
in 1966 my TEAM had been in NAM for 4 years, and I was 34 years old earning al my scratches dents etc., BUT I love this truck no matter its “artificial ageing, AT 91 my aging is REAL .. and headin to 100 :-)