This 1986 Chevrolet C10 Silverado pickup is loaded with factory options, and that’s no accident: it was originally used by the selling dealer as a demonstrator of sorts, allowing shoppers to see the many ways they could gussy up their C10 pickup. What’s even better is that this is the desirable short bed body style, and it retains all of those tasty add-ons from the 1986 OEM accessories brochure. The mileage is believed to be accurate at 53,659, although some paperwork issues have made it more difficult to verify. But take a look at the condition on display here, and there’s very little doubt as to its provenance. Find the Chevy here on eBay with bidding over $22,000 and no reserve.
That’s some impressive bidding, but you can clearly see why. This thing is gorgeous, and in addition to all the tasty add-ons you see here, the Chevy also has the super rare “Powr Lite” power rear cab window. The original selling dealer-added both factory and aftermarket options sold through the dealer, like the Cowboy chrome rear bumper and Owens aluminum running boards. These running boards were all the rage back in the 1980s, and it’s amazing how many vehicles still sport the huge side steps. The Chevy also has bedside rails and polished wheels that the original owner supposedly cleaned often.
The Chevy’s history gets even more interesting, as it was supposedly purchased as a retirement gift in 1986 by the wife of the original owner. It only recently came up for grabs as part of his estate sale, so it’s been a one-owner vehicle until just recently. The interior remains in excellent condition, just like the rest of the truck, and the seller reports that the Chevy was never really used for hauling duties – hence why it still looks so fresh. Factory options were as generous as the aftermarket add-ons, including power windows, locks, tilt wheel, cruise control, bumper guards, tinted glass, cargo lamp, intermittent wipers, and more.
Now, there is one major deviation from factory condition: the original owner apparently always felt the standard 305 was lacking, so he swapped in Goodwrench 350. There’s no record of when it was done, but it looks like the work was done to a high level given how you’d likely never notice the conversion unless someone told you about it. The listing notes the previous owner also redid the factory air conditioning, outfitting a more powerful system that is described as a “…vintage air type set-up,” whatever that means. Overall, there’s very little not to like about this C10, and the added novelty of the plethora of factory and period options puts it over the top.
It would be interesting to figure out how all of the tacky add ons have effected the bidding. It’s really nice, but gaudy. Luckily most can be easily removed so the trucks natural lines can be appreciated.
Steve R
Wasn’t leather an option on the Silverado in 86
Not til the mid 90s
I don’t believe so, only cloth or all-vinyl trim.
That’s a really nice Chevy pickup, a desirable short bed with a nice engine upgrade. It’s got more options than most any other pickup though some may not care for all of them. Personally, I like the rear bumper, bed rails and the wheels but I never cared for running boards on a pickup; to me, they spoil the overall look of an otherwise good looking truck. You don’t really need them here as it’s not like the truck is lifted a few feet. I’ll bet the final bid will be impressive, it’s one of a kind in excellent shape.
Of course they chose a shortbed for this purpose, a C10 would’ve been a real showroom-stuffer to begin with relative to others in the Chevy line – they had no fewer than five small-car lines in 1986 (Sprint, Chevette, Spectrum, Cavalier, Nova) any one of which would’ve guzzled far less showroom space than even the shortest of C/K pickups.
Take all the accessories off and you would discover a great truck, the engine swap and A/C upgrade is a plus. I a man sure you could find buyers for all that junk you could unbolt.
Take a few options off, like running boards and rear bumper. Rails are nice and original, not being reproduced originals bring a premium, bump it up to 1987 and I’m ready to ride.
The retracting rear window is really cool! Never knew that it was an option. The engine and A/C upgrades are a plus. I don’t care AT ALL for the running boards and that HUGE rear bumper, (IMO) makes the truck look unbalanced.
GLWTA!! :-)
Here we go again, another “story” vehicle. Documents to back it up?
Nice find! I would be proud to park it in my shop.
Why would you change the factory a/c?? It doesn’t make sense! Looks like they removed the entire evap case from the factory a/c. Why spend the money to do so?? Confusing!
Why would you lose the originality and swap out the 305? Why put in a 350 if no hard work was done with it? Couple of questions for the seller…. truck looks beautiful the way it is, but I question the motor swap.
I agree, I had a 85 Chevy pickup and still have my 91, the AC worked fine on both of them. My 91 still has the old system freon in it and is still cold. Nice truck though.
My guess is the original 305 developed issues and commonly back then goodwrench 350s were stocked by dealership parts departments for this purpose. Absolutely love the wheels which were a chevy factory option back in the day. Very nice pickup but I do think the price is a bit strong.
Everyone loves those old small block chevys but honestly they really weren’t that great back in that vintage. My best buddy was a chevy tech and I’d hear and see the stories from the shop every day.
We used to laugh because the local true value hardware store actually stocked rebuilt 350 chevy engines in their store. Rural area with lots of farms, etc. But a lot of them had to be replaced. No joke