Legends Of Chevy Trucks Looks Back At The 1983 Chevy S-10 Pickup
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The Chevrolet New Roads Magazine has an ongoing series called “Legends of Chevy Trucks,” that aims to document the Bow Tie brand’s truck history. So far the series has covered trucks like the 1955 Task Force line and 1973 C/K Square Body, but now the magazine’s editors have turned their attention to something a bit more recent: the 1983 Chevy S-10.
According to General Motors, the idea for the Chevy S-10 came about after the automaker realized that full-size trucks like the Silverado were quickly becoming larger and more capable, leaving space for a smaller and cheaper product. While the S-10 was much tinier than a full-size truck, it was “still heavy on the styling cues that helped larger Chevy trucks radiate toughness,” the automaker says, featuring a simple rectangular grille with a prominent bowtie emblem, a squared-off cab and bed shape and two-tone paint schemes.
The base engine was a naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder, which produced a very modest 83 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque. Chevy also offered a 2.8L V6, however, which was good for 110 horsepower and a respectable 145 pound-feet of torque. This engine made most of its torque low in the rev range, giving the tiny truck a 1,625 lb payload capacity and enabling it to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Another impressive feature (at the time, anyway) was the so-called “Insta-Trac” four-wheel-drive system, which allowed the truck to shift between 2 high and 4 High while it was moving.
The Chevy S-10 actually had a decent list of available options, despite it being positioned as a utilitarian work truck, including air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, power steering. Marketing brochures for the truck also bragged of its 23-degree seatback angle, which was more comfortable than the upright seatbacks of many pickups of the day, and claimed the truck has more legroom than some rival full-size trucks at the time.
The Chevy S-10 is no longer sold, however the Chevy Colorado serves a similar role, giving customers who do not want or need a full-size truck a smaller and more efficient alternative.
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Bring back an S10 sized truck! My family had like 12 different versions, including a diesel. Only came with manual and no A/C if I remember correctly? Loved the ZQ8 suspension.
Rwd: I agree totally. The Colorado is just too big and too expensive. I know that every time I say this, I take a lot of flack from so many on here. I guess they love their BIG and expensive trucks? Don’t know, but what I do know is there is a market for smaller (size of this S10) trucks with a much lower starting price.
They are still making and selling the s10 in Brazil and south America… ONLY
I liked my 88 S10 and enjoyed my 97 Sonoma ZQ8.
But neither measure up to my Canyon I have today.
The early trucks were good for sure but today’s truck is better in every measure.
Even wit 4×4 todo day in a crew cab I still best my 4.4 e tuned cab 2wd by 1 mpg in daily driving and more highway?
As for price if you compare the old prices to today’s dollars you would be nearing the same prices.
My 97 was nearly $20k sticker back then and that was not cheap.
The days of the $9,999 trucks are over.
I liked the older s10 dor what they were a small simple capable affordable truck.
The new Colorado is 2xs the size and 2xs the price
I could go on n on but I’ll leave it at that
Don’t make em like they use to
Had my 87 s10 blazer for almost 20 years. Dependable, comfortable, would not trade it for nothing.
I have a 1988 gmc S15 Sierra the gmc version of the S10. Love it
I have a 2003 Tacoma that has 133,000 and is rock solid with capability to function past 300,000 miles with no problems. Dash and interior is more functional and well laid out. Chevy dash and interior looks cheap and I’ll bet does not hold up in quality and value like my Toyota does.
Steven: Go to a Toyota fan-boy site.
Tengo una s-10 82 y es una maravilla !!
No me arrepiento de a ver hecho la compra
I have a 1996 chevy s10 the thing is awesome in 4 wheel drive. Is really good in the snow up here in the east coast. Roomy an fun to drive 5 speed stick 4.3 not selling.
Im stunned my 1985 s10 is still running. It has 406,000 miles on it. I never thought it would last this long, so I’ve abused it, not serviced it and today all my family and neighbors have named it ” ole trusty” because it goes when nothing else will.
I’m only 18 and have a 1991 Chevy s10 and I love it, had to do some restoration when I originally bought it but runs like a champ, wouldn’t trade it for anything, also these trucks make amazing race trucks
I would much rather have an El Camino. Period!
I have 91s10 chevy still runs great over 200,000 miles. It’s my husband truck. As his wife I love it and taking care of our baby.
ACZ, I agree with you. I had a 1998 Sonoma extra cab with ZQ8 sport suspension. Figured that was as close as I would get to an El Camino. It ride and handled great. The size is what I miss the most now that I have a Silverado rcsb.
Ive got an 83 s10 2.8 v6 4spd manual 4×4. 89,000 miles. Absolutely love it. Dont drive it much. Considering selling it but I poured my heart and soul into the work ive done on it and itll go anywhere like a champ.
I had a 84 Chevrolet s10 with the 2.8L single cab 2wd manual and this was my first truck, reliable is a understatement this was what Chevrolet brand is built on! I have since purchased 4 other Chevrolet trucks since then , and I still get roll road violations in the mail from San Diego from this truck to my house to this day, it’s still on the road !! Thank you Chevrolet.
I have a 88 S-10 4.3l v6 just over 300,000 miles, 10 yrs in const. No problem, still starts everytime, always dependable, just drove it to Idaho from California and back, ran beautifully, everyone I know calls it Lil Browns, (2 tone paint) Brown and white, best truck ever…
My first vehicle was a 1985 S-10 2.0 litre 2wd manual 4 speed. I drove it until 1995 and it held up good considering it had 290,00 miles on it when I sold it to a 16 year old.
We had a 2004 Blazer Xtreme with 5-speed manual. Sluggish but cool and roomy.
I have a 1983 s10 blazer 5 speed manual 4 high land low with the 2.0 I love the thing can’t drive it enough
The first year of the S10 was 1982 & the base engine was a 1.9 liter Isuzu engine that would start burning oil as soon as the warranty was over.
4.3 v 6 is bullet proof, mine has 90k but I’ve seen them with over 400k
Love the older S-10 . I had the first S-10 my dealer sold , 1982 short box Tahoe version v6 , 4 speed. Traded in 84 for a 4WD version same trim. A neighbor bought it down the street and has had it for over 30 years.
Got my last S10 in 86 . long box 4 WD v6 5 spd Tahoe trim. Then family came and i got cars and mini vans
Today i have a Colorado crew cab v6 4 wd Z71 . love this truck but i also miss the size and fun i had with the smaller S-10 4WD 5 spd. I agree with others there is room today for a small pickup the S-10 size , RWD and keep it simple single cab , 4 WD 4 cylinder engines and manual transmissions
Really love what GM is doing with trucks , but don’t need a Full size. Will get new “Rado when they come with 2.7T