New guy: 78 Silverado, 17900 original miles, TONS of pictures

[KMK454]

Hi everyone!

Cliff notes: Bought a 1978 Chevy C10 Silverado, black/red, 17,900 original miles at time of purchase, TH350, 3.07 rear, 305 V8, BONE STOCK except for headers and a "cherry bomb" exhaust.

Full story:

My only car for well over a year has been my ever faithful 2005 Corvette. It's a Z51 coupe with a 6 speed and a bunch of subtle mods that transform the look of the car. This thing served as a great daily driver, and I love it to death. It was also my utility vehicle, weekend toy, track weapon, and personal bullet train for interstate travel. But after about 47000 miles, the whole daily driver and light utility pieces of the equation are starting to really wear on the car. Or perhaps I just don't have the heart to subject my prized 'vette to speedbumps, ruck sacks, and other equipment anymore...

So I began searching. The obvious match to an impractical sports car is a practical pickup, but this is a problem since I am not a truck guy, and I am definitely anti-SUV. Yeah, I'm one of "those" types, sorry.

But it if has to be a truck, it has to be a Chevy. My second car had to interest me, otherwise I'd sell it in a month and go back to daily driving the 'vette. I'm just that silly and passionate about automobiles. So the only way to quell the "negative" of a truck was to make the truck an older and more unique one.

Old trucks are awesome. They are pure. I love cars that are pure and have character. It doesn't get more pure than a Chevy V8 mated to a TH350 on a timeless pickup cab/bed design. The new trucks are nice, and I looked at a Silverado SS, but nothing about it excited the gasoline in my blood (face it, if you're on a car forum you have some in ya).

I found a 1978 Chevy C10 Silverado online listed as a 1 owner truck. It was black/red, original paint and interior, factory AC, TH350, 305 V8, AM radio with FM convertor, a 3.07 rear end, and 17,900 miles!

The rough story is someone owned it since new until he died and the family held the vehicle until now. I'm not 100% certain on this and might try to investigate further, though.

After a drive or two and a month of thinking about it, I finally negotiated a fair price, and here she is:

















I will reply to this thread immediately and post a few more pics.

The ONLY rust exists on the two non-stock pieces: the long tube headers and the "cherry bomb" exhaust. I'm thinking of putting chrome tips on the exhaust, but will probably leave the mufflers as they give it a 60's muscle car "wop wop" sound. They also smell like global warming, and I love it.

This may bother some, but my philosophy is that cars deserve to be driven, and a truck like this belongs on the road, doing what it was intended to do. She barely had a chance over her first 28 years of life, so I will let her stretch her legs some (and I promise she'll get the TLC she deserves). The truck has already taken me to and from work a few times (my commute is about 2 miles one way), and it will be my short trip run-about as well as a carry-all for bulky or dirty objects that won't fit in a Corvette hatch.

And in case you were curious, here are some pictures of the Corvette. Right now it's in storage until I permanently move to Fort Stewart by June 1, so no pictures of the two together just yet. They have met, but I think the Corvette is a little jealous of my new love...

This first pic is the most recent with all the mods done. The other pic was before the red calipers:


At Carolina Motorsports Park:


Mods: Corsa Sport exhaust, lowered 1.5 inches, black wheels, iPod hardwire, red calipers, red Grand Sport stripes, 20% tint, fire extinguisher mount.

The truck will not be modded, it's just too original to mess with, but a chrome bumper and chrome rally wheels (think 68 Corvette) would look so cool. I do need a bedliner and bedcover, though, so as to protect the original paint in the bed. Any help on what to do here is appreciated. I would like to have utility yet first and foremost protect the bed from scratches, rust, and standing water. Thanks!

If there are any meets going on in the southeast, let me know!

Also: going in for first oil change tomorrow, is there anything else I should do? Air filter check? Tranny fluid? Differential fluid? Belts? It IS an old truck, but it took me from Charlotte to Fort Benning without burning a drop of oil or leaking/smoking, so it seems very tight. It has also fired up in 10 degree weather. Any advice is always appreciated.

[KMK454]

As promised, a few extra pictures. I love photography:

[71'tahoe]

Holy cow that is a sweet truck.The vette is equally impressive.You road course the vette at road atlanta?

[bigblock73]

WOW!!!!! That is a great looking truck! Do you have any other plans for it, or pretty much leave it as is and enjoy it? (which is what I would try and do)

Oh, welcome to the board too.

[71'tahoe]

Yea welcome to the board.I was so excited about your truck i forgot to look to see if you were a new member.

[75sierraclassic]

Welcome!

Man it looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. That is one fine arse truck.

"It smells like global warming" Ha Ha, I love it.

[pcmcobra]

crikey that's clean.
n2trux now has a twin.

[swb85]

It's like a time capsule!!!....the thing looks brand spankin new!

Welcome to the board!

[87 STEPPER]

Dude!

That there is one very nice truck i think it just blows that 50K $ Vette away! sorry but i am a truck guy.

Trust me when i tell ya take them both to any show and see what one wins every time and it won't start with a "V"!

I don't blame ya for not doing any mods to her and i also think she will look Hot with a set of Vette rally's on her.

As far as a bed liner don't do it they will do more damage than if you just through stuff in there.

Either do a spray in liner or a rubber bed floor mat and allways use straps to secure your load.

to our forum you won't find anywhere on the net better than here when it comes to these old truck's.

[hiway]

I think I'm gonna cry! Awesome find. Welcome. Get a rubber mat for the bed.

[KMK454]

Thanks for the comments and the welcome everyone!

87 stepper, I agree with you on which will draw more attention and praise, but it depends upon where you are, of course... for example, in the newer parts of Charlotte, the C6 gets the attention and a pickup of any vintage is out of place. The only "trucks" that fit in are German

But on the drive down to GA, I already had two people offer to buy my truck and I haven't had it for a full week yet. I just love this thing. Nothing like an old truck! So much fun but in a different way. My first love though is shifting gears, pulling high G's, and accelerating hard out of turns. Nothing like a mountain run or a track day. I agree the truck will blow the 'vette away at a show, though. Just not on a track

I would love to get to a cruise night with this truck. I think a set of 60's Corvette/Camaro rally wheels, thin whitewalls or redlines, chrome exhaust tips, and a chrome bumper would just perfect it. Of course I'd keep the original parts

Thanks for the recommendation on a bedmat. Would a Gaylord Tonneau cover be a good protective measure? Are bed rugs a possibility?

[Bishops Trucks]

I have 2 really nice vehicles.

[84 400]

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that is a great looking truck. reminds me of N2trux 77. Looks really clean !

when i had my truck drivin home from TX we got offers all down south but once we hit CT it does not get the looks. ahh well that is not why i love my truck anyways. The bed liner would ruin that fresh paint because as the truck vibrates the plastic will rub on the paint and burn it. a rubber mat would work fine. A bed cover like the one you mentioned would look great and keep the bed nice. The vette rallies would set it of to. That ruck really just needs a wood bed kit.

[Russell]

I've get it sprayed with a black line-x if you plan to put anything in that box, and don't want to scratch it up.

That truck is a true survivour. I've spent well over $15 000 on my old bucket of bolts, and I can promise you it'll never match what yours looks like right from the factory. Simply gorgeous! Heck, it still has all four pull strap covers! I've searched for years, and have only been able to find three, lol

[gflo383]

WOW... thats all i can say!!

beautiful truck!!!

i would wrap that thing in plastic and tuck it in the garage forever.... its like a giant model car! very very nice truck. Im so jealous!!

[ghetto_superman]

definitely gorgeous. it will love it when you get a chrome blazer bumper on it!!

also, just a thought, www.wheelvintiques.com (see below link as well)has corvette-style steel rallye wheels that are 17inch. might look right at home on your truck! worth checking out anyway. above all, GREAT SCORE!!!!!!!

http://www.wheelvintiques.com/pdfs/18-31steel_pt2.pdf (down at the bottom)

[hiway]

I wouldn't do a bed cover simply because I wouldn't want anything on the paint. Rubber mat only. I also would leave the wheels/covers just because of the "you don't see those anymore" remarks. A rear bumper is a must. And I might seek professional help and have the big mirrors removed....only the best shop would do. It would never see rain again either! If you need a truck to USE, you can borrow mine.

[hiway]

Hey, since your among trucking friends now (nice car by the way) do you mind me asking approx. how much you gave for that awesome find?

[Ron 586]

Beautiful truck and would love to hear the story about how it has lived it's life to stay that clean. Also loved the shot showing the FM converter for the AM radio. I have a couple of those floating around here somewhere from back in the day. You have two fine rides.

[boatpuller]

that is very nice,how long before the earths gravitational forces take over.i like it now but ,that would make one really sweet lowered truck.either way it's a rare find.

[KIILew]

I agree with the others...fantastic truck (and very nice car, too!)! I like your thoughts with respect to keeping things largely original and keeping the original parts where changes are due.

Whatever you do, it looks like you have a winner!

Ken Lewis

[Captkaos]

VERY sweet truck.

[KMK454]

Thanks guys, looks like a very cool and friendly community here!

Regarding mirrors: I agree that the smaller factory mirrors would look 100 times better, but I'm reluctant to remove the originals, plug holes, and put new holes in the sheetmetal.

Wheels: I love the originals, so I'll probably keep them since it's cheaper, but I still think chrome Corvette rally wheels would add a nice touch.

Bed: I think I'll just get a rubber mat and come up with a way to keep things from scraping against the sides of the bed.

Bed cover: still considering a Gaylord Tonneau, mostly just to keep water out of the bed. The truck has literally zero rust, so the last thing I want is water to sit at the seams inside the bed.

Chrome bumper: it would be a great touch and tie in nicely with the chrome brightwork.

I know it's a time capsule, but I plan on using (not abusing) the truck. I'm going to drive it and use it but at the same time maintain its originality while fixing and restoring any issues that arise during use. My C6 looks new inside and out after 47000 miles, so I know I can keep this truck up to par, if not improve it. I already put money away just for maintenance on this truck. Luckily nothing went wrong yet, but I'm still anticipating a bad surprise on a 28 year old truck! Also, the amount of miles I will put on it will come nowhere near what I did on the 'vette.

And regarding the rain comment... if you guys saw my "garage" you would find and kill me It's ok, waxing begins this Saturday, after a wash and clay-barring, of course.

Again, looks like an awesome community! Thanks for the responses and input, everyone! So when is the first GA Truck Get-Together?

[Captkaos]

I would look for a cover that doesn't require any drilling or bolting. The soft ones seem to be a good option that isn't as intrusive.

I would keep it like it is. Removing those mirrors and having them fixed would be a nightmare. For the rims, you can always switch them to change the look when you wanted.

As for the price, you actually did good. I would say it was worth about 12K from the pictures.

[smashingchuck]

that is a beautiful truck. I love it! could you post some pictures of the door panels and the seat please?