135209 / 1970 Chevrolet C10 Pickup Truck

For more information on this vehicle visit This magazine-featured C10 is an amazing classic that, thanks to a 502 cubic inch GM Performance Parts big block, a professionally upgraded suspension and thoroughly massaged aesthetics, is ready for years of endless cruising. BODYWORK/TRIM As far as styling goes, few vehicles have aged better than late ’60s and early ’70s Chevrolets. In fact, toeing the line between rock-solid and refined, the Action Line C/K is probably one of the most attractive trucks ever built. This C10, originally purchased at Graham, North Carolina’s Graham Motor Company, seemed destined for farm life. But, unfortunately, the truck’s owner passed away a mere four years after its purchase. Despite repeated offers from a long-time neighbor, the farmer’s wife just couldn’t bear to part with her husband’s favorite pickup. And eventually, after watching the truck spend 30 years under an open-ended shed, the neighbor finally struck a deal with the couple’s remaining family. Fast forward a few more years and the truck’s current owner, reeling from the theft of his beloved ’68 C10, decided he’d found a worthy successor. With only 33,502 original miles on the clock, this Chevy underwent a 5-year, frame-off restoration that began at The Paint Shop in Winston Salem, North Carolina and ended at Rod Crafters in Lexington, North Carolina. And in the summer of 2013, this laser-straight bowtie debuted modern comfort and significantly upgraded mechanicals under a glossy coat of PPG Jet Black 2-stage. ENGINE Twisting stout 9.6 to 1 compression into an advertised 502 horsepower, this Chevy’s GM Performance Parts ZZ502 crate engine is a logical testament to the old rule: more cubic inches equals more horsepower. A perfect air/fuel mixture is supplied by a contoured, K&N-capped air cleaner and 850cfm, AED-controlled Demon carburetion. That dynamic duo rides on a polished Edelbrock Air Gap intake, which is bolted between lightweight aluminum heads. Those heads hang polished Chevrolet valve covers and matching breathers over stamped steel rockers, intake valves and exhaust valves. Those rockers are engaged by a hydraulic roller cam, which is sequenced to loomed GM plug wires and a GM HEI distributor. Spent gases roar through ceramic-coated Hooker Super Competition headers. At the front of those headers, a familiar Vintage Air FrontRunner system spins a coated Stewart water pump between a polished alternator, a polished Tuff Stuff AC compressor and modern power steering. And that water pump feeds a polished aluminum radiator that’s wedged between a polished support, two SPAL puller fans and an Optima gel cell battery. DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION With that kind of power on tap, it should come as no surprise that the bottom of this pickup features a host of noteworthy upgrades. Everything starts with a sturdy, factory-spec chassis that’s been smoothed and powder-coated in a nice shade of Charcoal Gray. Behind the sweet engine, a proven 700R4 4-speed utilizes an aluminum driveshaft to engage a stout, TA Performance-branded 12-bolt that’s fitted with a posi-trac differential and big, gears. That fully sorted drivetrain rides on a spry back half that’s been rebuilt around KYB shocks and Early Classic Enterprises 4-inch drop springs. Opposite those springs, a massaged front clip makes good use of Hotchkis control arms, drop springs and CPP 2-inch drop spindles. Stops are provided by Wilwood 4 and 6-piston calipers, which squeeze a quartet of 13-inch drilled and slotted rotors. The aforementioned power steering feeds an Early Classic Enterprises quick-ratio gearbox. The aforementioned headers feed custom, stainless pipes, which employ polished Pypes mufflers. And power meets the pavement through stylish Budnik Cannons, which twist 255/50R20 Yokohama Paradas in front of 285/50R20 Yokohama Paradas. INTERIOR Outfitted with a taught combination of black and tan leather, this pickup’s warm and welcoming interior was installed by Jeffrey Phipps Custom of West Palm Beach, Florida. The stars of the show are ’99 Tahoe buckets that feature full power adjustment. Between those seats, a custom console frames big speakers in front of a TCI Outlaw shifter. At the top of that console, a stylish dash hangs Auto Meter Carbon Fiber Ultra-Lite telemetry behind Vintage Air climate control, an Alpine CD player and a slick Covans instrument panel. And in front of the driver, a half-wrapped CPP steering wheel laps a tilting Ididit column. Taking the market by storm over 50 years ago, Chevrolet’s Action Line C/K remains one of the hottest trucks on the planet. This slick C10 is a high quality build that features a potent drivetrain and many well-executed details that make it the perfect combination of show and go. Call, click or visit for more information.