Hopped Up 327: 1968 Chevrolet C-10 Short Bed
This is the one that everyone wants! It’s a member of Chevrolet’s very popular “Action Line” (’67-’72) pickup trucks. And…this citizen of Odessa, Texas, a 1968 C-10, is the more popular short wheelbase/cargo bed version! Don’t let its looks fool ya, it’s undergone some nice mechanical improvements so let’s check it out. Interested buyers will find it here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $10,100 with the reserve not yet met.
Being a C-10 means a half-ton carrying capacity with three different wheelbase lengths available, 115 inches (our subject truck, 127, and 133. Body styles included Fleetside or Stepside configurations. This C-10 appears to have a sound body though the finish is definitely faded and there is evidence of some dents. The underside shows signs of minor scale but nothing more serious, though the seller mentions rust that has afflicted the rear driver’s side wheel well. Unfortunately, no images of the cargo bed are included in the listing but all-in-all, this seems like a sound truck. And while the chrome and trim are a bit dowdy looking, the deep rally wheels help to spruce up the visuals a bit.
Under that dented hood is a 327 CI V8 engine which was originally good for 240 gross HP. This one’s been hopped up with an aluminum intake manifold, replacement carburetor, open-element air cleaner, headers, and a serpentine belt system. To keep it all cool, an aluminum radiator with dual electric cooling fans is now parked right behind the grille. Throw in a new fuel tank and this Chevy is good to go-go. The seller adds, “Runs good a little cold natured studders a little on exceleration better when hot” which I think means the engine hesitates until the engine is fully warmed up – perhaps a choke adjustment? Making the drive wheel connection is a leaky three-speed manual transmission.
There are no comprehensive images of the interior available, just snippets. From what can be seen, the blue vinyl bench seat checks out, there’s a black rubber floor mat adorning the surface-rusted floor, the aftermarket radio doesn’t work, and the dash pad is cracked – a new one included in the sale.
Verdict? This is a cool truck that could use some aesthetics and a transmission tail shaft seal. Then again, the “worn” look is in so maybe the next owner will want to go with that vibe (though I’d want to remove that hood dent). These Action Line trucks continue with increased popularity, and barring an outrageous reserve, I can’t imagine this one not going to a new owner. And that begs the question, what, in your opinion, continues to drive the growing interest and value, in old pickup trucks?
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Comments
They don’t cost $100K+, you can actually park them, you can see out of them, etc.
“ And that begs the question, what, in your opinion, continues to drive the growing interest and value, in old pickup trucks?”
A simple old truck gets a lot of jobs assigned to it, depending who owns it and where. Going for a couple sheets of plywood? “Not in my SUV you won’t!!” came a voice into the garage.. Need Railroad ties? Slide your bed extender into the hitch and go get ‘em. Pier blocks for a new rear deck? Truck. Hauling something tall that can’t be laid down? Truck. Out in the country for a drive and spot a Crowley HotShot that you have to buy NOW and take home? Well, maybe..
It’s a cool ride that’s useful, easy to use and most are easy to keep running.
Doesn’t hurt you can see over the top of cars in traffic also.
Last and not least, the most popular rear window sticker on every experienced truck owners window sez it all-
“YES it’s MY truck-
NO I won’t help you move!”
I’ve always had a truck and I try to be a nice guy, mostly. Still, moving sucks. So I established a policy for my friends of one move a lifetime.
Even though I’ve always had one, I am not a “truck guy”, so the popularity of them (beyond a ’53-56 F-100, a Cameo…or any Mercury pick-up) baffles me.
The real rarity among these ’67-’72 GM trucks is the Longhorn with a 9 foot bed. I’ve only ever seen two of them, while I saw four shorties like this one today alone.
Missing the trim rings for the wheels…..just sayin ‘
I had a 68 C-10 with the 8 foot bed, a 327 4bbl and the Turbo 400 trans. It was a nice truck after I put power steering, dual exhausts and a Holley 4bbl on it. Gas mileage was awful though.
Did some work on my friends 68 C-10 long bed several years ago,taking a GM GoodWrench 350 crate motor it came with from 290hp to over 450hp with a top end upgrade.installing aluminum 2.02/1.60 heads with 64cc chambers.a 292/302 cam (2700-6800rpm)1.6 ratio roller rockers,low rise single plane intake,2500rpm stall converter.it had 10:5.1cr.used a MSD Box with HEI distributor for spark.Then to top the whole thing off installed a 100 shot of NOS giving it around 550hp when sprayed.Hooked up pretty good on street slicks and had a nice rough idle too.wasn’t a daily driver though just a weekend cruiser on Route 66.
This is all external hop up decoration there has not much power gain here just a different cam would have made more difference than all that bolt on stuff.
Here’s a little tail out fun. Nice enough to generate some admiration but not to nice to drive. For those who may be concerned about the brakes that’s also what second gear is for.
The main reason interest is growing for older trucks is the rising cost of new ones. Imagine making $60.bucks an hour and going on strike for a 40% raise..When they get that the price of new cars will make it tough to buy one with out making the cost equal to a mortgage payment.
Interesting comment about taking out a mortgage George. New trucks cost more than my first, second and third home. Admittedly I purchased my first home in 1975. But still!!!!
I have had a pickup in my driveway (different ones) since 1978.
Through the 90’s and into the 2000’s I traded every 3 to 4 years.
I currently drive a 2011 Silverado with almost 400,000 kilometers. I have had a fair number of repairs lately, including a new transmission, BUT those repairs are still less than one year of new truck payments!!
Featured truck is a beauty! My dad had a 1969 with the 307 V8. It was a fabulous truck.
I’m pretty sure that I will never buy another brand new vehicle.
Same here Robert. No more new vehicles for me either. They are all stupid expensive and stuffed with electronics I would never want.
NEVADAHALFTRAK you are so spot on, my brother!
I agree with Robert above. The prices for new trucks are just insane. And the monthly payments certainly are looking more and more like mortgage payments. Something like this would be great for running weekend errands to Home Depot. My Dad had a 69 half ton 8 ft bed with a 307 and 3 speed stick on the column. It was a nice truck.
A far cry from the lifted, big wheel poser boy pickups running around today. Little room for subwoofers, but you can put multi-color lights on it and a cut-out exhaust system if you’re terribly attention starved and want to be you’re own movie star, LOL!
Looks good, glad the seller didn’t spray undercoat so you know what the underside really is. If inspection looks good, $15k + may get it. Welcome to 2023.
I’m a G M Chevy guy always have been especially classic & muscle cars ! then comes the faithful like / love of classic Chevy & Ford & Dodge classics! The so called “Action Line” Chevy / GMC trucks; ’67&-72) 2& 4 wheel drive are as popular now as back then ;it’s just the cool clean line styling that keeps it popular !? But that’s just my opinion;& it’s not just Pick up trucks of this gen; it’s also the K5 Blazers & Suburban’s that hold this popularity too ! w a rust free solid body ! The only (to me personally) thing I have that I “don’t” like about these trucks is the tranny;3 on the tree & prefer on the floor manual ! Aside from that I love these cool trucks & should save as many as possible that are rust free and /or use to far gone rusted 1’s for donors unless to far gone ; then go to the online replacement brand G M panels $?!
That’s how I see to keep these cool trucks going so the next generation youngsters can enjoy them !?