Frame Off Built C10 Pickup 396 V8 700R4 4 Speed + A/C

There's no denying how hot the classic truck market is today. Sale after sale in our inventory of classic trucks shows us that collectors have officially taken note of America's workhorses. Among those pickups, Chevrolet's '67-'72 models are one of the fastest growing subsections. Built at the height of the muscle car era, these pickups shared design cues and even powerplants with their high-performance siblings. With a stout 396, 700R4 transmission and subtle custom touches, this 1971 C10 puts an emphasis on performance while retaining all of what made these trucks great in the first place. The beneficiary of an extensive 20-month body-off restoration that was just completed in the spring of 2014, this pickup is clean, capable and ready to claim some blue ribbons. If that sounds like your kind of truck, scoot in for a closer look at this killer C10.

Before we get too far, let's first decode the VIN:
C=4x2
E: V8 engine
1: 1/2 ton
4: Pickup with cab and bed
1: 1971
S: Assembled in St. Louis
XXXXXX: Six digit production number

As far as styling goes, few vehicles have aged better than GM's late sixties and early seventies fleet. The C10 is no exception. Toeing the line between sturdy and refined, the '67-'72 C/K is arguably the best looking build to date. Originally this C10 left the Saint Louis Factory plant wearing a white coat of paint with a modest 307ci V8 under the hood. Today, it sits in an extremely fresh coat of Victory Red. Underneath the red, a laser-straight body is the result of a 20-month build and, more than likely, a significant chunk of money. From every angle, the truck offers crisp reflections and excellent panel fitment befitting of a quality show build. The body remains as GM designed it with nothing shaved or altered in any discernible way.

The front end consists of a body-hugging chrome bumper, placed under a pristine egg-crate grille. The grille was a new design for the 1971 model year and this truck makes a strong argument for it being the most attractive of the '67-'72 full-size front ends. Walk around the corner and clean amber side markers and “350” badges cap the new front fenders, with “Custom/10” script trailing behind the wheel well. The mirrors, door handles and gas cap are all chrome, combining with black side molding for a visually balanced side profile view. Around the cab, fresh glass and stainless further the showroom-new look. At the rear of the truck, another curve-hugging chrome bumper conforms to the bed, just under the tailgate. The tailgate itself features white “Chevrolet” lettering, framed by brake lights at either side. Stainless trim creates a rectangle around the whole package, offering a distinctive rear view every bit as attractive as the front. In the bed you'll find a custom sawed Walnut bed with stainless steel strips and bed sills. The dark wood adds to the overall look of the truck and has already turned a lot of heads in our showroom.

As a product of the muscle car era, it's only right that this C10 packs some heat under the hood. The stock 307 was quickly removed and has been replaced by a Chevrolet 396 ci V8. The block wears a 3955272 casting number, which dates it to 1969, and is covered in a glossy black paint. In the center, a polished intake manifold sits beneath an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor equipped with an electric choke that sits a chrome Edelbrock air cleaner up top. At the sides of the engine Chrome valve covers have been branded with the words Chevrolet and the famous bow-tie. Around the engine, the engine bay has been painted to match the exterior, and when you add that to all the chrome and black hoses it makes for a show-worthy bay with plenty of contrast. With an estimated 350hp, roll into the throttle and the truck surges forward with all the strength its A-body and F-body siblings are famous for.

Put the C10 on a lift and you'll see that bolted to the Chevy big block is a THM700R4 that was built to hold 500hp. The transmission is equipped with a 1,800 rpm stall converter and sends power to a 12-bolt 3.08 open differential that has brand new bearings and seals. Under here you'll see the original chassis is intact and looks to be in fantastic shape. During the extensive restoration the call was made to lower the overall look of the truck by equipping the front suspension with 2-inch drop spindles and 2-inch lowering blocks on the rear. Spent gasses travel out the aforementioned headers and enter into dual exhausts that have been equipped with Flowmaster mufflers to create a head-turning noise at the rear of the vehicle. Stopping power comes courtesy of power disc brakes in the front of the truck and power drum brakes in the rear. In front of those brakes are 15-inch Rally wheels that have been wrapped in Michelin LTX M/S2 rubber.

Between the doors, a nicely finished interior makes this cab a pleasant place to spend time. At the ground level, clean black carpet is capped off by chrome door sill plates. Seating is provided by a bench seat that is wrapped in black vinyl. At either side, fresh black door panels wear the familiar bowtie-capped scroll pattern and wood paneling, more importantly here is where you notice that during the build the builders opted for power windows from Nu-Relics. From the driver seat, the view consists of a pristine gauge cluster with factory instrumentation that monitors speed, temperature, battery output and oil pressure. A polished tilt column topped by a three-spoke GM wheel connect the driver to the front wheels. To the right, a Custom Chevrolet-branded AM/FM Autosound head hangs above the factory A/C control panel that controls the Vintage Air. At the top of the cab, the dome light reflects off a glossy black headliner. The all-metal roof adds some additional contrast and a nice vintage feel to the interior.

Included in the sale of this pristine C10 is a small binder full of restoration photos, product manuals, and restoration receipts.

Clean enough to show, comfortable enough to drive and powerful enough to put a smile on your face, this C10 offers a little something for every kind of enthusiast. If you're ready to experience the muscle car era from a different perspective, don't miss the chance to put this '71 C10 in your garage today!