Featured is a nicely restored 1970 Chevrolet C10 Fleetside Pickup. The C-10 served as Chevrolet’s full size pickup truck from 1960 through 1998 in the U.S.. The C-10 replaced the Chevy Apache series of the late 1950’s. Many will say that the beginning of General Motors C/K series ushered their light trucks into the modern era.
There were three generations of the Chevy C10. First were the 1960 through 1966 models. The second generation ran from 1967 through 1972. The third generation ran from 1973 through 1987.
The C/K Trucks
C/K is a series of trucks produced by General Motors. The trucks were both Chevy and GMC brands. The General Motors C/K series included several vehicles. In addition to pickup trucks, also included were chassis cab trucks and medium duty trucks. The C denoted two wheel drive while the K denoted four wheel drive. The C series were built as 1/2, 3/4 and 1-ton models, each designated as C-10, C-20 and C-30.
The second generation C/K light trucks offered better visibility, better weight management, double steel walled cargo walls, and updated suspension. ,
Second Generation Chevy C10
The 1970 C-10 were named the Action Line trucks, also known as the Glamour Pickups for their good looks.
The second generation of C/K trucks offered truck buyers modern conveniences and passenger comfort options similar to what was offered in sedans as an example. This occurred at a time while chief competitor Ford was still building light trucks which still only offered mostly utilitarian trucks primarily designed for work use.
The General Motors C/K models offered a short and long bed light truck. The short bed was 6.5 feet long and the long bed 8.0 feet. The short bed had a 115.0 inch wheelbase and the long bed with a 127.0 inch wheelbase.
The two exterior styles were the Stepside and Fleetside. The stepside models featured a large step behind the cab and before the wheel well. This made it more convenient to work with cargo from the trucks side. The fleetside style is best known for it’s flat sides with the wheel wells themselves contained within the cargo bed.
1970 Chevrolet C10 Specifications
A 250 cubic inch six cylinder inline was standard on the 1970 Chevy C10 delivering 155 HP. Heavier Chevrolet C models had as standard a 350 cubic inch V-8.
Transmission options included a three and four speed manual. For the C10 models only an upgrade option was a available for a Powerglide and Hyrda-Matic automatic transmission.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Overall outside length was 188.5 inches with wheelbases both at 115.0 inches and 127.0 inches. Weight averaged about 3,500 lbs.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below..
Reference material for this article includes…Chevrolet Trucks: 100 Years of Building the Future by author Larry Edsall…General Motors Heritage Center. National C10 Club. C10 trucks.com
1970 Chevrolet C10 Collector Popularity
As of this writing, classic light trucks have a very strong collector following with auction prices relatively high. The C10’s overall have been on a steady rise in value and the 1970 models are priced just right to start off your collection. The Chevrolet C10 was one of the best-selling trucks of its time and we would expect unmolested, original and restored examples gaining value moving forward.
The 1970 Chevy C10 asking and auction sales prices as of this date will typically range from about $16,000 to $35,000.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)