1966 Chevrolet C10 Custom Stepside Pickup

Description

The breakthrough year for Chevrolet trucks arrived in 1966. In the endless pickup truck war between Ford and Chevy, the C10 dominated sales in ’66. Along with great styling and modern Fleetside or fendered Stepside beds offered in two lengths, the C10 broke from convention with independent front suspension and coil spring rear suspension for a superior ride. 

It began with the attractively restyled 1960 Chevrolet C10, which sported a wrap-around windshield and unique hood design. New model designations also debuted, with the former 3100-series half-ton tag traded for a “C10” identification, the “C” being short for “conventional,” or two-wheel-drive. The “K” prefix continued to signify the presence of a four-wheel-drive pickup. The basic body carried over through 1966, but it was graced with restyled roof posts in 1964, giving the cab a more rakish appearance. Powertrains are similar to the previous “Task Force” era trucks, with choices of durable inline sixes or small-block V8s. 

This beautifully restored, award-winning C10 was finished in 2019. It features period-correct Crimson Red (GM514) exterior paint with Cameo White gravel panel and tailgate lettering in base coat/clear coat finish. Under the hood is a fully rebuilt 250-cubic-inch six engine with three-speed column shift transmission, and 3.73 open differential. 

Highlights 

• Frame-off restoration to mostly OEM specs completed in 2019 

• Crimson Red (GM514) paint with Cameo White gravel panel and tailgate lettering in base coat/clear coat finish 

• Period-correct Fawn Beige interior with Cameo white accents on the door panels 

• Fully rebuilt, numbers-matching 250 cu-in inline-six engine with OEM one-barrel carburetor

• Three-speed column shift manual transmission 

• Originally a base-model truck, it received “Custom Comfort” features, including chrome bumpers and custom emblems, seat material, and full gauge cluster 

• Air conditioning by Vintage Air

• OEM appearance Bluetooth stereo with Rockford Fosgate “Punch” subwoofer and Infinity 6x9s in custom boxes tucked under the seat  

• The chassis number (C1446A161717) decodes as: 

  • C – 2WD 

  • 14 – 1/2-ton short box 115-inch wheelbase 

  • 4 – Pickup 

  • 6 – 1966 model year 

  • A – Atlanta assembly plant 

  • 161717 – Production number 

• Won “Outstanding in Class” at the 2019 Super Chevy Car & Truck Show at the Memphis International Raceway, Memphis, Tennessee 

Features  

• Originally a base-model truck, it received “Custom Comfort” features, including chrome bumpers and custom emblems, seat material, and full gauge cluster 

• Power brakes 

• 3.73 open differential

• HEI distributor 

• Steering gear box 

• Shocks 

• Tires 

• Gas tank 

• Brake system (shoes, e-brake, lines, wheel cylinders, master cylinder) 

• Wiring replaced with American Autowire harnesses (all lights, blinkers, gauges, and switches work as they should)  

• Vintage Air A/C 

• OEM appearance Bluetooth stereo with Rockford Fosgate “Punch” subwoofer and Infinity 6x9s in custom boxes tucked under the seat 

• Ambrosia Maple bed wood and rails (with “Claude” engraved on both sides) with polished steel runners 

• Custom trim 

• Bench seat 

• Manual windows 

• Vent windows 

• Clarion EQS755 7-band equalizer 

• Two-spoke steering wheel with custom horn button and ring, exclusive to ’66 model year 

• Dash instrumentation: 

  • 100 mph speedometer and odometer  

  • Tachometer  

  • Coolant temperature 

  • Battery 

  • Oil pressure 

  • Fuel level  

• Lighter and ash tray 

• Defroster 

• Heater 

• Lockable glove box 

• Sun visors 

• Seat belts 

• Sliding rear window 

• Chain-latch tailgate 

• 15-inch steel wheels with chrome Chevy bowtie hubs 

• Sigma Shadow P215/75R15 white wall tires 

• Wheelbase: 115 inches 

• Length: 187.75 inches 

• Width: 78.75 inches 

• Height: 71.25 inches 

Known Imperfections 

• Small crack in windshield (has not worsened in over two years of driving) 

• Paint scuffed on driver’s side rocker panel (where the bottom of the door rubs) 

• Minor stone chip on the driver’s rear fender 

• Minor scrapes on tailgate 

Ownership History 

The owner of this 1966 Chevrolet C10 Custom Comfort Pickup, which he nicknamed Claude, bought it in Montgomery, Alabama, in October 2014. “The truck had sat for many years, but it was running when I bought it. After I brought it home, I took it completely apart, panel by panel, and sand blasted the panels to bare metal.  My late best friend, Claude (the truck's namesake), had worked professionally as a body repairman in his younger years, so he and I cut and patch-welded where new metal was needed, finessed the body, block-sanded forever to get all work done razor straight, and then I personally painted it (I had experience painting from my days in the Navy painting F-14’s).  I also rubbed out and polished the finish myself.  The complete restoration took over three years and thousands of man hours. Truly a labor of love!”