Low-Mileage Survivor: 1985 Chevrolet S-10
I love a small, utilitarian style pickup, but many of them are subject to tough lives as workhorse vehicles. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – it is their intended purpose – but it’s always interesting to see survivor-quality compact trucks, such as this 1985 Chevrolet S-10 that’s here on eBay.
This immaculate S-10 is available in East Brookfield, Massachusetts with a clean title. The seller says that this example is completely original, attributing its fantastic condition to a lifetime of being garage kept in Florida.
Before I talk about the bed on this S-10, I’m going to circle back to the fact that most of these compact pickup trucks endure lots of hard use, making its condition nothing short of astonishing. Though the seller says it has some light scratches, it looks as if the bed was never used!
Inside the cabin, the blue theme continues, albeit in a darker shade. Though it has crank windows, this truck also has amenities including power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning.
There’s a 2.8-liter V6 engine under the hood, which pairs to a 4-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels. The combination has only traveled 53,398 miles.
At the time of this article being written, bidding is at $4,000 with the reserve not met. Do you think that this pristine S-10 is worth it, or would you rather get one that’s broken in?
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Comments
IMO, $5k max-it’s not old enough to have any character for a truck. Nice, yes, clean, absolutely, but not a standout truck otherwise.
I agree with nevadahalfrack
Those of us who remember these new, or owned one, it seems nothing more than an interesting bit of nostalgia. There are, however, a growing portion of the population that have never had a simple analog vehicle like this. I’ll bet there are many people over 30 that have never had a car with manual roll-up windows.
Like the Ranger featured the other day, there is a market for these old small trucks (a segment that doesn’t exist anymore because today’s “small” trucks are as big as full-sizers of yore).
This falls under the growing segment of practical classics. A little truck you can use, customize a little, and still show up at a cars and coffee.
Its not all candy-apple-chrome anymore.
For what it’s worth listed on Boston Craigslist for $8500.
Yes, but it’s older than you think. The 90’s babies are old enough to be nostalgic, plus the prior generation that had these new. There’s probably a decent crowd for these S10’s. People who are in the mini-truck hobby love these survivors. You’re right price-wise, and if it doesn’t sell someone will probably pick it up off of craigslist or FB Marketplace. I’ve seen plenty of similar trucks saved in worse condition.
Agree with all of the above including Kevin; I am an enthusiast of small trucks and I own one. I would not be without it. This one is too far away so someone jump on it.
Had a 1985 S-10 Extendi-cab 4×4 from 1990 to 1995. Same 2.8 V-6 but mine had a five speed manual. I thought the 4 speed was replaced by the 5 speed in 1985. Great little truck, that could get into some pretty tight off road places that a full size 4×4 could not, without scraping the paint off of it.
This smaller size truck segment, has been unfortunately abandoned by the North American manufacturers. Glad to see some of them waking up, and making Canyon/Colorado’s and Rangers again.
Great Classic. Bought my 1982 S-10 longbed 4 speed on the floor at the age of 15 in 1995. Rode it through college and handed it over to my Father who drove it until 250,000. Still sits on an old town road and someday it may get a revival. If the truck shuts off at high temps, just run heater full blast…that was my technique to get thru the summers until I found a good radiator mechanic ;) Solid pricing on this one, especially with the bench seating and manual trans. Fully endorse the quality of this Classic.
Wow, I had the same exact truck and it was my first pick up. I added a sway bar to it and repainted the black on the bumpers later in it’s life. It started shutting off if it got above 95 degrees so I had to get rid of it. (At around 75K) That even has the same nasty tires that came stock. Amazing time machine there. I didn’t have AC though.. It couldn’t get out of it’s own way as is. IF I turned on AC, it would have stopped.
very cool! disapointing pictures. would be very cool to see this truck driving around as is, bone stock.