It’s almost like Deja Vue all over again. I just finished watching a recorded episode of Roadkill Garage where Freiberger and Dulcich prepare a typical Roadkill condition ’74 Chevy pickup truck for the upcoming power tour. It was a pretty standard episode with a lot packed into a 30-minute episode which is more like 22 with commercials. And then, what do you know, here’s another very real example, similar to theirs, but in the form of a collectible 1968 Chevrolet C10 short bed. Like the Roadkill boy’s truck, this one is packing a punch too under the hood, so let’s check it out. This C10 is located in Dallas, Texas and is available, here on eBay for $15,021, reserve not yet met.

The Roadkill project was harboring an LS series motor of unknown displacement under its huge hood, I think I missed the episode that involved the actual engine conversion, and as usual, the biggest concern was how long a burnout it would do. It’s a bit lame but that’s the stock and trade of Roadkill so I guess it’s a topic that viewers must enjoy. Their truck was a “Square Body” (1973-1987) which has not yet attained the collectibility of this ’68 example but they are getting there. Nevertheless, it looked about the same as our subject truck and it had undergone extensive suspension and brake enhancements in addition to the engine change.

Turning our attention to our ’68 C10, the seller states that this truck started life as a long bed, the bed was “sectioned” and the entire body placed on a short bed frame – that’s gotta’ be a lot of work! The rear wheel wells were tubbed and all of the conversion work was done with a focus on maintaining the original patina. I have noted from a pricing and collectibility perspective that the short beds are definitely the preferred body style. The body and underside appear to be sound but when you are working in a realm where you are trying to preserve the aged look while performing extensive modifications, it becomes hard to tell what’s real and what’s posed. I have to say that the suspension lowering definitely contributes to this truck’s rough and tumble vibe.

The big difference here between Roadkill’s power tour truck and this C10 is in the engine room. While LS series motors have really taken off with the restomod, and restoration set too, this Chevy is in possession of a 468 CI, big-block V8. If I have performed the math correctly, that would mean that this engine started life as a 454 before being bored out .060 of an inch – it’s a common upsize for the 454. Upgrades also include a roller cam, Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission, and a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio (Freiberger stated that a 3.70 was perfect for road touring and burnouts). The seller adds, “This is a very quick and great driving little c10 and would not hesitate to drive it anywhere“.

The interior of this C10 belies the exterior as it is in very nice condition. Besides the sharp-looking upholstery work, it has aftermarket A/C and “Dakota” digital gauges. It’s curious too because that was a surprising focus on the Roadkill truck – making major niceties inside as opposed to how they usually roll which is sitting in squalor. Unfortunately, the original Delco radio is MIA.

Regardless of the patina, or worn-out look, short bed, ’67-’72 Chevrolet and GMC trucks are hot right now and the end-of-the-world appearance treatment ends up being the icing on the cake for many. The mechanical improvements, in this case, are just fantastic and really make the truck – the exterior appearance is a matter of preference, I suppose. I doubt this one is going to have trouble finding a new home. What do you prefer, this look or something a bit more nicely finished?