1984 Chevrolet C10 – Project Profile

As is habitually the case with us petrol heads here at Car & Classic, when we get an idea, or a whisper in the ear about a certain classic, or we see something that piques our interest, we immediately head straight to the classifieds and auction listings to see what’s out there. The sheer volume of classic cars and bikes we have listed at any one time is quite frankly staggering and so more often than not there will be at least one example available of the particular vehicle we’re looking for. Well that’s exactly what happened following our pickup trucks feature on Monday and it didn’t take long for us to unearth this ’80s Chevy C10 from the pile.

As you’ll well know if you read Monday’s piece, the C10 debuted in 1960 and immediately established itself and the company that built it as a major player in the ever-growing world of the pickup. Pitted against the Ford F-Series and Dodge D-Series trucks the C10 saw four different iterations over its 42 year production run with the last, fourth-gen model rolling out of the factory in 2002. Through the years the C10 was available in many different versions, with myriad trim levels and engine options and so depending on one’s preferred era there’s likely to be a C10 configuration to suit.

What is it? 

This third-gen ‘square-body’ 1984 Chevrolet C10 features a V8 engine and column-shift automatic gearbox. That’s pretty standard fare for American trucks but this is the Scottsdale model which means an improved level of trim over standard – the second highest that Chevrolet offered in fact, just below its Cheyenne line of trucks. The Scottsdale equipment package included new ribbed upholstery and superior door trims, among other, exterior tweaks such as chrome bumpers. The bodywork appears to be in good condition, save for a small rust patch to the lower cab area on the passenger side and the original gold over white paint job is factory. It’s a solid, running and driving example that is fully UK registered and appears to be mechanically in good shape.

Why is it a project? 

While the truck does run and drive this C10 is beginning to look a little tired. Along with the aforementioned rust patch that needs treating the entire paint job could do with a full refresh at the very least, with a full rub down and respray being the ideal option if you wanted to bring it back to its former ’80s glory. Although the truck is UK registered there is no mention of an MOT certificate and we are unable to check as there is no registration visible in any of the photos. Judging by the pictures of the engine bay it does appear to be in good shape but how much can you really tell from a book cover? The advert states that there are no leaks from the engine or drivetrain but the centre section of the exhaust does blow and will need replacing. The original interior is in a presentable but unrestored state.

Five things to look for:

1) Rust

While the truck certainly looks solid corrosion can be lurking beneath. We know there is a repair required to the passenger side lower cab area (a repair panel is included in the sale) but there could potentially be other areas of concern. The good thing about trucks like this is that the chassis is easily accessible so get underneath and inspect all of the metalwork. Some surface rust is nothing to be concerned about but any holes or damage will need to be professionally repaired. Specific areas to inspect include the wheel wells and the bed. If the two drain holes at the front of the bed have been blocked at any point then you can pretty much guarantee there will be rust issues.

2) Engine and Gearbox

Chevy’s small block V8/automatic transmission combos are generally pretty bullet proof but having said that we don’t know the exact spec here. All we know is it’s a V8 with an auto box but the C10s of this era were available with various different eight-cylinder motors and a choice of three automatic transmissions. That’s assuming of course that everything is original. Whatever the case there are a couple of things that are easy to check that will tell you a lot about the condition of the engine as well as how cared for it is, specifically the air cleaner, fuel filter and engine oil. If you can, take out a spark plug or two as well and inspect the condition as they can speak volumes. Check for any clunking when shifting between forward and reverse gears which will indicate a worn driveshaft or U-joint.

3) Suspension and brakes

These C10s are robust and hardy but with that ruggedness comes a high curb weight. This means stressed suspension, steering and braking components so have a look at all of the rubber bushings for wear. If there is any play in any of the suspension components then they will need replacing. Brakes on these trucks is a simple affair with power-assisted discs up front and drums at the back so have a look at the state of the discs and pads and make sure the brakes are not binding.

4) Interior

Generally speaking the interior looks pretty good. The bench seat hasn’t split, which is surprising and it appears to be in great condition. Similarly the door cards present well but there may be some damage or cracking to the top of the dash. Lift up the mats and check the floor pans for rust as these can fall out at the mere suggestion of moisture. Check that all of the gauges and switches work as they should too. A lot of these trucks were built so getting hold of bits and pieces shouldn’t be a problem from places like USAutomotive and there are plenty of specialist garages dotted about the country should you require help.

5) Paperwork

As mentioned this is a fully UK registered vehicle but there are no other details pertaining to its history. Check any documentation for maintenance and service records, either in this country or abroad and have a look for any record of engine numbers to see how original the thing is. Have a browse of the DVLA website for any MOT details once you have the reg number too so you can potentially see what kind of life the truck has led this side of the pond.

What should you do with it? 

At face value it looks like a decent enough truck that you can just hop in and start using, pending a fresh MOT certificate of course. The V8 should provide plenty of grunt to light the rear wheels up but should you hanker after additional power a big-block engine swap is a straightforward affair. Make sure it’s structurally and mechanically sound and then just enjoy the thing. Paint it if you want or simply give it a bit of a buff and crack on. If it is as good as it appears to be, at less than seven grand you can’t really go wrong and although perhaps not as popular as the earlier ‘Action Line’ models there will always be a market for these square body Chevys.

If you’re a Chevy fan, here’s where to look to find a classic Chevrolet for sale.