1966 Chevrolet C10 Stepside Shortbed Pickup 

Although pickups came of age after World War II, they continued to evoke a postwar sensibility until Chevy introduced a groundbreaking generation of trucks in 1960.  Not only were these C/K pickups - a designation that is still in unofficial use - equipped with the segment's first independent front suspension, but also a new drop-center X-shaped frame that reduced the height of the vehicle by up to seven inches.  The lower stance was emphasized by an attractive, pinched-waist body marred only by a fussy front end featuring "jet pod" eyebrows over the grille.  Over time, the hood line was lowered and the front fascia simplified, and by the end of the model run in 1966, the pickup was an exemplar of restrained elegance. 

For consignment, a 1966 Chevrolet C10 pickup with some notable upgrades.  About 60,000 stepsides were produced in'66 but how many are still on the road?  They were used as intended…as work trucks.  This one has some mechanical and electrical improvements and is a runner.  If you're willing to put in some time, the paint could use some TLC, although at 20 feet it's still an impressive truck we would have no trouble driving to a show.  C10's remain some of the hottest vehicles in the collector world, here's an opportunity to get a pickup that's had professional attention and to which you can add your personal touch. 

Exterior
Gleaming white paint covers the truck, accented by black trim and painted tailgate letters.  Just below two gaping air intake vents you'll find LED headlights and an egg crate grille bordered below by a stunning chrome bumper.  A thin black pinstripe intersects the body continuing onto the rear fender.  Moving back, we note straight steel for the body and bed panels.  Overall the gaps are well minded, chrome trimmings are nicely redone, and the window trimmings have been nicely blackened.  While so many are going to glossy, dark wood, this bed retains some patina with light, almost sandalwood-colored planks.  Gas struts lift the nice tonneau that covers the bed where an aluminum, cage-style bed extender hides, ready to pivot out.  There are numerous areas of peeling paint, incrusion, deep scratches, body filler, rust bubbles and other imperfections that could be cleaned up to bring this truck up a notch.  The drip rail and door jamb areas, beyond the visible body, also could use some help.  The chrome bits and 15-inch Rally wheels look great! 

Interior
Open the door to reveal blue plaid door cards which house the stock style window crank, door actuator and armrest.  Below is a more modern speaker and a storage pouch.  The black vinyl bench is very nice, accented with stitched square patterns and sporting a tucked armrest that swings down.  Behind the faux woodgrain and leather wrapped steering wheel we find a very clean dash, simple and utilitarian.  The shifter indicator is perched on the column…always a cool feature.  A clean, flat white dash extends to the passenger and a JVC radio unit is in place.  The Vintage AC/heater unit is mounted under the dash.  Nice black carpet gives way to a long Lokar shifter topped by a billet knob.  The black headliner above looks great.  And bonus…a three-point seat belt system has been added! 

Drivetrain
The appearance of the engine bay is driver quality and there sits a 350ci V8 with a 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetor.  The power plant is tied to a TCI Performance 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission sends power back to a 12 bolt rear axle.  Vintage AC provides the cooling for occupants while the radiator appears to be stock configuration to cool the engine.  Power brakes are present with drums all around.  Exhaust manifolds are also stock style. 

Undercarriage
Plenty of patina under here with surface rust on major components and inside rear body panels, but nothing invasive or overly concerning.  The gas tank has been notably moved to under the bed.  True dual exhaust extends from the engine where they meet stock style mufflers and exiting rearward via polished tips.  Some of the exhaust support brackets and pipe clamps show rust that is a step above mere surface rust and might benefit from a replacement.  Minor seepage exists…but nothing we haven't seen before.  Independent coil sprung suspension in front and 3-link coil sprung in back, and all in all, a good driver quality underneath…this is one you could drive in the rain and not worry about splashing a show-quality undercarriage. 

Drive-Ability
An electric choke and HEI distributor aid in starting this puppy up and the 350 cuber wakes up reliably.  Once out of the stable, the tranny shifted crisply, denoting its performance settings.  The exhaust sounded good and the 235/70/15's provide a nice buffer to the imperfections in our test loop.   Also, a surprisingly quick stopper with those power drum brakes. T

he styling of this '66 make it an instant head turner…they just look lean and mean and there's no denying their iconic place in American automotive history.  Here's one you can drive and not sweat over a drop of rain.  As Kip Moore sang, “There's somethin' 'bout a truck” and this is the living example that he was right! 

C1446S210908

C-2wd
14-1/2 Ton Short Bed, 115" WB
4-Pickup
6-1966
S-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
210908-Sequential Unit Number

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