No Reserve Survivor: 1968 Chevrolet C10
Yesterday, we covered this 1968 Ford F250 pickup and today, we’re going to take a look at Ford’s crosstown rival, Chevrolet, and see what they were pushing, truck-wise, back in ’68. This C10 does not allow for an apples-to-apples comparison to the Ford but it’s close enough for a Barn Finds match-up. You’ll find this C10 located in Cincinnati, Ohio and it’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $8,200 with twenty-four bids tendered as of this writing.
The seller refers to this half-ton capacity C10 as a low mileage survivor with only 21K miles of experience. It’s a less desirable, long-wheelbase version but it still comes with serious collectibility. Still wearing its original shade of Silver Metallic, the appearance is a bit tired and not without some knocks, scrapes, and plain old dents. It is stated to be rust-free, however, other than some typical surface rust that is visible in the cargo bed. The seller states that this truck, since new, has been “extremely pampered“. I’m not sure that I would go quite that far but it does appear to have been cared for.
New for 1968, was Chevrolet’s 200 gross HP, 307 CI V8 engine, taking over for the tried and true 283, and that’s what’s deposited in the cavernous engine compartment. It’s not one of the Bowtie’s bigger hits but it is certainly adequate and the low mileage recording is a definite plus in its favor. The listing claims, “This truck has been tuned up and tested and is an absolute pleasure to drive. Everything works exactly as it should. The truck starts, runs, drives, shifts, brakes, sounds and handles excellent…“. Of note is the A.I.R. pump, it would seem that this truck was originally intended for a California registration. Gear changing happens courtesy of a three-speed manual transmission so that has to make motivating around a lot more fun than it would be with a Powerglide, two-speed automatic.
Inside there is a shock of red upholstery and it presents quite well. The seller suggests that the red vinyl trim looks, feels, and smells like new – it almost looks too good to be original. And anyway, after 54 years, I’d expect some smells but “new” isn’t the one that immediately comes to mind. Added is, “Never any kids, pets or smoking” (sounds like the W.C. Fields quip, “Anyone who hates dogs and kids can’t be all bad”). The best feature about the interior is that it’s red and not the usual modern mottling of taupe, gray, or black.
So, it’s now what to do with it time. Assuming that the mileage is genuine, and there’s no documentation to back up that claim, this is one heck of an original find. I’d leave it alone but that’s my oft-repeated suggestion for so much of what I review. How about you, what would you do with this neat ’68 Chevy C10?
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Comments
It may have been pampered, but it looks like the owner hit everything but the lottery!
This pickup doesn’t look like it was pampered. The passenger side panels and trim are pretty well hammered as well as the bumpers and tailgate. The interior look like it has had some restoration as it looks a lot better than the exterior. It’s a very basic truck; no power brakes or power steering, never mind A/C. The seller’s claim that this truck is “absolutely-gorgeous” makes me wonder if we’re looking at the same truck. I also find it hard to believe that the high value for a bare-bones ’68 C10 is $102,000.
Why do long beds get no love . I wouldn’t say I prefer them except for actually being able to haul more but they look just as good to me . I see many vids of trucks being cut down to short beds and just see it as a waste . A short bed is great if that is how it was born . I’d like to see someone take a short bed and make it into a long bed LOL .
Long beds rule. This is still a practical work truck if the price doesn’t go nuts. I showed this to a friend out in the yard and he said it would be a good truck to “escape” in because you could get a sleeping bag and bunk out in the bed after dark. Okay, I guess. Not a real deep thinker, but a nice guy just the same.
Wee doggies,,,( in my best Jed Clampett voice) that’s a one a basic a truck. Isn’t it amazing, with as basic as it is, it was good enough. How did we ever lose our way, not so much just this truck, but the era it represents? Somebody scarfed it up already, or relisted, and it’s been said before with these, no P/S in a big pickup is no day at the beach. It’s actually a hassle. I have a neighbor gal, tiny thing, has a 1980 Ford F150 with no P/S and she’s afraid to drive it, because she can’t turn the steering wheel. That column shift, probably worn as an old belt, and just by looking at it, many trips to AutoPlace. The good news is, most everything can be found there, still somewhat reasonable prices( as if), and repairs can be made with a pliers, but you will eventually catch up, like I did with mine. Took a while,( ugh, now what’s leaking?) but while I’m still apprehensive with the Jeep( will it start?) I’m to the point I never have to worry about the old GMC, I almost guarantee, I’ll get to Walmart. I’ve decided, I’ll never sell mine.
Longbed, shortbed, honestly, I think the shortbox is more preferred today, mostly because, people don’t “load the box” like they used to with pickups, and that 2 feet shorter makes a difference in the parking lot. If you look at most newer trucks today, they are all shortboxes to haul those 2 bags of dog food, “oh,oh, we need dog food,, better take the truck, dear”. With fuel prices, THAT will come to a screeching halt,,,
It has 21k miles..since it rolled over at least once..but I’ll give it some credit..long beds look better lowered, IMHO
Hi Terrry, not so sure. I’ve seen several trucks and cars like this out here( Colorado) that are rarely used, the ’64 Caddy with 2200 miles, comes to mind, and friend in Wis., their landlord had a ’67 Ford F100, basic, like this, with 7,000 miles, just a “dump runner”, so the mileage is entirely possible. The thing with these, is you are going to have 40 ( 50?,,ugh) years of bumps and bruises, it’s what a truck was for.
Decent old truck, no frills just a basic 307 upgrade and heavy duty rear springs. 121K would be my guess and that new front seat sealed it. Had a similar 70 pulled the 307 dropped a 350 in it’s place with a little bump stick and headers. Was a nice rust free Georgia truck, parallel parking was tough though but put a ton of sand and some stone in it too. Pulled it great, just had to adjust the breaking distance.
My Daddy had a 1968 Chevy C10 pickup much like this. 307 motor with 3 on the tree. Red over white was the factory paint scheme. I remember the glove box on this truck was big enough to fit a weeks worth of clothes inside. Rust typically eats up the rockers and cab corners on these trucks but you can’t expect perfection from a 54 year old truck.
No doubt C-10’s are just about the most popular of trucks now. They are the Holy Grail of the Sport Pick-up Craze,” IF they are a short box”, you can say you like long boxes all day long, but it dosn’t matter on the day you want to sell it. You can make a hort box out of a long box and lots of them have been done. This truck could be a possibiliy for that, but it isn’t easy peeze or cheap to do. I have searched out several C-10’s for people and a nice quality,short box, 2wd, not perfect is, mas o menos 30 K. To convert it could be 3 K or more. Do the math, is this truck worth it. I don’t know !
I like it. I once bought a 69 with same set up, it had been a Kelley Tires service truck. It was a good truck but in Kelley’s green color. The 307 went bad at one point so I bought a ratted out Olds cutlas with 350 and 400 trans which I swapped out along with the red velvet bucket seats. Man that was a long time ago, around 1987. I wish I could buy this truck, but then I want almost every vehicle that comes on here. LOL.
God Bless America
Silver must have been a rare color for these trucks ; I dont think I’ve ever seen another one . It actually looked like someone painted it a different color to me !
I saw a gold colored one just this am way out in west Phoenix(Goodyear) actually, scootin along pretty well with the rest of the idjits during early rush hour…
Say all you want about “short v long” in pick up trucks.
But if your makin money with em like I do, long box is the only way for me.
Cruisin to the Cars n Coffee or car shows are fine for the “shortys”…
I just bought a’68 cst20 camper special all original.Seller said it is a golden anniversary factorygm truck.Has anyone ever heard or seen one?
love – the dash, satin paint and front view, like – the long bed ona st truck, the 3 speed/column shift – fun (I got asked “Y do U have 2 turn signals?” so I just said pointing “One for left, one for right turns.”). I’d swap out toa TH350 or sompin (cheby-like, don’t no dem). Motor’s fine tho I like the ford’s beddah (300/4.9 i6).
Had a ’68 , real workhorse . Shortbeds are for people who don’t work their trucks . P/s and p/b were not needed . A/c was for Suits and women . 6 banger and non-synchro 3 speed was all you needed to haul a ton and a half in these .
To think, I sold mine for $1 to a useless nephew. Oh well.
To restate prior comments:
Nov 25, 2021 at 5:42pm
I had a ’68 C10, it had overloads on the back springs.Mine had a 307 V7, just could never get that 8th cylinder to fire properly.
I put 397,000 miles on it after buying it with 98,000 miles.
It turned into a rust bucket, I remember something hanging down under the gas tank which was behind the seat, so I kicked the hanging thing. My foot got stuck in the hole. The jack was hanging down.
I flipped the lid on the air-cleaner and got an additional 8mpg. I had to pull the yoke on the steering column to get into first or reverse gear. Nobody ever figured out how to get it moving. Therefore it was never stolen.
The Grey one above has had the interior redone, it should be grey and white inside. The seat is redone, its just in too good condition based on the exterior.
Why can’t trucks just be trucks? Why does a truck need leather seats? or heated seats? or a heated steering wheel? A real truck has a long bed so you can haul stuff. With a real truck, you can haul a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood or wallboard or countless other things that won’t fit in a six foot box. A luxury pick-up, like a luxury SUV, is an oxymoron.