Well Preserved: 1971 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne
In today’s world, many of the pickup trucks sold are higher end models. Features such as heated seats, leather interior, and incredible sound systems are almost must haves to today’s truck buyer. This was not the case a few decades ago. Highly optioned trucks like this 1971 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne for sale on eBay in Lincoln, Nebraska were the exception not the norm. Does both the rarity and the overall amazing condition of this truck justify the current bid of $13,200 for a usually less collectible longbed?
Even casual observers of the collector car community can tell you that the classic pickup market is hot, and this has been the way of the world for a long time. Pickups have traditionally been easier and cheaper to restore and the price of admission is usually low. Once restored, pickups are one of the few vehicles that collectors can get their money out of when they are ready to move on. That is if the restoration wasn’t too expensive and the truck was originally in good shape.
Second generation Chevrolet C/K trucks are some of the most collectible trucks out there. Their styling is iconic and universally admired (especially as the series evolved) and parts are plentiful. It also doesn’t hurt that drivetrain parts can still be purchased at most major auto parts stores. Many of the mechanical pieces on these trucks are interchangeable with third generation C/Ks. A good example of this would be the ability to bolt on the disc brake front suspension assemblies from later Chevys and GMCs.
The biggest drawback, other than rising prices, would be rust. GM wasn’t exactly known for its rust resistant steel during this era. Many of the second generation C/Ks suffer from rotted out floorboards, door sills, and cab corners. This scares away less adventurous amateur restorers, as it takes time and effort to remove the cab to complete the repairs correctly. Many otherwise good trucks have been passed up because sunlight was peeking through all the wrong places.
It is needless to say that finding a well cared for second generation C/K has been a struggle since dinosaurs last roamed the Earth. Or, at least it seems that way. This 1971 Cheyenne is not only in great shape and in running and driving condition, it is also outfitted with the desirable Cheyenne trim package. The truck can boast that it is in mostly original condition with the exception of a repaint sometime in the past. The underside is advertised to be rust and scale-free. The dreaded tin worm is only visible in a few spots, with the most prominent being located on the driver’s cab corner.
The seller claims that they are the second owner of this orange and white longbed. It left the showroom floor in the hands of an Air Force jet pilot stationed in what is alluded to be the state of New Mexico. Spending the majority of its life in New Mexico went a long way toward preserving the truck in a nearly rust-free state. Given that the truck also ended up spending time in Kansas and Nebraska, it surely saw the road little during the winter months. The ad reads that the truck has over 150,000 miles, but it certainly doesn’t give the appearance of being worn out.
Under the hood is Chevrolet’s ubiquitous big block V-8. The displacement for this torquey engine is an unusual 402 cubic inches and is backed by a THM-400 automatic transmission. Everything is said to work as it should, and the truck “runs, drives, and stops fantastic.” As for options, it does boast tinted glass and, believe it or not, factory air conditioning.
The main drawback is that it is a longbed. The popularity of shortbeds, especially shortbed step sides, has helped to make longbeds somewhat plentiful on the market. It has also led to longbeds in good condition sacrificing their lives to be parts trucks for shortbed projects. There are even kits to shorten a longbed frame if you can find a short bed. Short bed or long bed, this is a really nice truck with a good story behind it. While the price is edging up, it is a second-generation C/K in great condition with all the right options. How can you go wrong here? Are any of you second-generation C/K fans or owners? What do you think of this truck?
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Comments
Meh,,
Not a bad truck overall, it’s certainly a flashy one. The interior brings back memories of my ’70 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 with an 8-foot bed, my very first pickup. I like the color of this Chevy, hate the bug shield and don’t mind that it’s an 8-footer. True, the short beds get all the attention and dollars, but if I can get into a vintage truck for less money, I’m OK with an extra couple of feet behind me. This one is decent, but a closer look reveals it’s kind of tired and worn, in and out. Like most pickups back then, it’s a regular cab, my preferred pickup configuration. I have no use at all for 4-door or extra cab pickups as the beds are usually too short for anything except for a bag or two of groceries. New trucks are too expensive and have too many frills for my taste or means. Give me a pickup with A/C and power windows and I’m happy. And if push comes to shove, I don’t mind if I have to crank my windows up and down if it gets me the vehicle I want. Anyway, this is a nice pickup, it’ll probably bring pretty good money and the new owner should be happy with it.
Farm truck.
Currently $14,200 with the reserve unmet. Though it’s nice, at that price point or higher, I’d hold out for a short bed instead. At a certain point, it’s worth spending more to get what you really want.
Steve R
Keep in mind that less than 35000 short beds were built in 71. Less than 70000 in 72. Long beds were over 300,000 each of those years.
The 402 was only in 7% of production each of those years.
If someone cuts this beauty up to make it a short bed , they should have a sawsall taken to them to make them shorter.
I agree. To me growing up in the midwest, a regular cab long bed IS what makes a truck a truck.
As for high prices,those who say “Let the market decide”,
don’t take these crazy “reserve” prices.
Why does it seem that these sellers are really greedy?
Not greedy, smart.
Just how is that “smart”?
Just how is it “greedy”? He obviously knows the market, and you obviously don’t. He should give it away so you aren’t offended? What does that make you?
Smart because he obviously knows the market. You obviously don’t. What does that make you?
I like the long beds.Nice truck.
I’ve got a 1971 longbed and ill have it till im dead! This truck is a BEAUTIFUL truck and i wish it were mine because you cant find a REAL TRUCK like this anymore!
Had an identical truck. Same color and options. Good truck until I rolled it…
The long vs shortbed debate needs to go away along with the 2/4 door debate. It’s not 1991 anymore. All of these vehicles are old now and disappearing. Plus the shortbed step sides from 67-87 are universally ugly.
Gotta chime in here. I too don’t get what the big deal is about short beds being so much preferable to long beds. I actually prefer long beds. To my eye the long beds are more proportionally balanced. And they are certainly more practical for doing truck things like trucks are supposed to do. If you want a toy truck by all means pay a bunch more for your short bed. I spent a ton of time and miles behind the wheel of these mid fifties to early eighties pickup trucks because I used them as work vehicles to, you know do work; which meant hauling stuff. Some were mine but most were company vehicles. Not once did the boss furnish a short bed. Currently I have a pick up so I can’t justify bidding on this one. But I’m here to tell you that I would be all over something like this for me personally if I was in the market for a replacement. You can keep your 80K four door “pickup” with its silly little useless bed. Ok, rant over.
Plus,a longbed has a softer ride.
Short beds are not convenient to own if one actually uses the truck for it’s intended usage. GM marketed a 3/4 ton with a 9 foot bed, called the Longhorn. That was a truck! BTW factory A/C was available on GM trucks since 1960, my 66 C10 had it, also PS and AT. I prefer AT in my trucks because as a former long haul trucker, the last thing I wanted to do was shift gears on my time off!
Air cleaner lid flipped. Get that big block quadrajet BWAAA. Beautiful truck
Especially short bed step sides? The fleet sides are much more desirable and valuable than the step sides. I’d personally rather have a long bed fleet side than a short step side, but that’s just my opinion
I have a 69 Chevy c10 long bed with a straight 6. It’s been in my family a long time now, I get inquiries all the time and I have never given anyone the opportunity to offer a price. It’s not for sale. Love my long bed. I do struggle with keeping it original, although being in really good shape in my opinion digital gauges, led lighting, heated plush seating, kick butt stereo wouldn’t hurt either. Technology has advanced a lot but for now old blue remains era correct
Nice truck overall. Love Hugger Orange! I have a 71 GMC Jimmy in the same shade. A couple of nitpicks: too bad the dash was cut for an aftermarket radio, and the seat wasn’t recovered in the correct parchment with scroll pattern. Now up to $16,000 without hitting the reserve and 5 hours to go in the auction.
I owned 71 C20 Step side long box, 4 sp. with small block 350. The mileage was the same, with or without a load on. These trucks were notorious rust buckets and mine was no exception. However, the motor and drivetrain never failed. Sold it to purchase a 60 F250 long box…it’s still earns its keep today. 😎✌️