Daily Driver: 1970 Chevy C10 Pickup
In the war to impress truck fans, Chevy and Ford stand out. Ford has its best-selling F-series. But on its heels is Chevy’s C/K series. Chevy started making these trucks in 1960 with a new frame design and independent front suspension. The trucks were still sold to the old client base of farmers and ranchers, but with more comfortable interior accommodations and a better ride, advertising was geared to campers and families too. In the lexicon of Chevy, the “C” stood for two-wheel drive, while the “K” meant four-wheel drive. The trucks were made for decades and over that span offered a wide variety of motors and transmissions. In 1967, the trucks received a facelift and customers swooned – this second generation is sometimes called the Glamour Pickup. Here on eBay is a 1970 Chevy C10 for sale, bid to $3,450 reserve not met. This truck is located in Ogden, Utah. The seller indicates this truck has a high output 350 cu. in. motor paired with a Turbo 400 automatic transmission and a positraction rear end.
The truck benefited from a new custom pistachio and cream two-tone paint job. This is the Longhorn submodel, with an extended bed. It also has three gas tanks. The Longhorn badge, other trim, and mirrors come with the truck. A custom traction bar, eight-lug wheels, and a lower stance front and back complete the package. We noted that all the photos are of the driver’s side, but the seller assures us that the truck has no rust or dents.
The engine bay did not receive quite the attention given to the exterior. Mileage is quoted as 53,878 with no mention of whether the odometer has rolled over. The seller indicates the truck does not leak any fluids at all.
As we move to the interior, we can see where some work will be needed to bring the cabin up to the standards of the exterior. The horn button is missing and the seller says the gas pedal pad is gone as well. The seller indicates the seats need recovering. The dash has a crack above the glove box and another near the column shift. On the other hand, the glass is good and it has a sliding rear window. The seller is just the third owner and drives the truck daily. It wouldn’t take too much to bring this truck up to great driver quality, provided the paint job is at least average. Is it worth a bid?
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Comments
Like many other pickup fans, I think this body style is one of the best-looking Chevy ever came out with. This is probably a C-10 for someone who doesn’t care about originality, though the claimed rust-free cab and bed are a major plus. Lots of little things missing if it’s actually a Longhorn model; trim around the brake lights, chrome rear bumper, tailgate trim, hubcaps and side trim. The seat needs a new cover, the steering wheel is pretty much shot with cracks and missing horn cover, a new dash pad is sorely needed, and the fan shroud is broken. I’m sure there are probably more issues to be attended to upon a close inspection. Plus, you’ll have to like the custom paint and the fact that it’s lowered quite a bit. This Chevy does have the potential to be a nice truck, but more work and money will be needed to take care of the many repairs and missing parts.
C20 not C10,8 lug nuts,
Harvey is correct that is a 20 series 3/4 ton so not nearly as desirable as the 10 series. I used to own a 70 long bed C-10 pretty basic truck, pulled the 307 and dropped a 350 in place. Had coil springs all around. Good driver and had heavy rear springs. Build sheet on these is on glove box door, good ride and all around good truck. Put Chevy Blazer rims on them and they look good.
I’ve had my 71 C30 Longhorn for 26 years. It now has a 700R4, 700R4, A/C, PS, PB and it’s lowered a bit. Love the truck. You wouldn’t get mine away from me for twice the highest bid. I also have a spare bed.
Oops, didn’t mean to say 700R4 twice, it has a 454……….
As others have said C20. 8 lug wheels are enough but Longhorns I believe were all 20s. They were basically camper trucks.
At the price of new (and even used) trucks, this could be a bagain simply for someone who needs a truck. If you have to haul big lumpy stuff hither and yon..50K and up for a new 3/4 ton? Not happening for a lot of folks
Simple to maintain and repair. My last chevy water pump was $19.95 NEW and took me a bit under an hour to replace and that was on a G30 van!
Also doesn’t appear to be a longhorn. They had the extra 6 inches added to the otherwise stock 8’ bed in a very obvious manner. You could see the seam where the factory modification was made. Reading the description on eBay I did use anything in the description about it being a Longhorn. Not sure where that came from. Blowing up the pics to see I also noticed this old truck is rough. Body work along lower bed side was not done well at all.