A unique example of a classic Chevy truck is up for auction in Ventura County, California on Bring a Trailer. It’s what you might call a “rat rod” version of a 1963 Chevy C10 that’s been heavily modified with extra muscle under the hood and modern upgrades like power steering and air conditioning. A tasteful patina look on the outside completes the rat rod aesthetic.
Power for this Chevy C10 comes from a 400ci V8 with a Holley Sniper EFI system, but the listing doesn’t specify an engine code. Judging by the displacement and the fact that it has aftermarket EFI, it could be a Gen 1 Small Block, which was produced from 1970 to 1980 in this size and extensively used in GM trucks. It’s popular in the hot rodding community for applications like this because of its large displacement in a relatively small block. Since it was designed as a truck engine, it’s pretty easy to fit into most trucks’ engine bays.
Other mechanical modifications include an aluminum radiator, tubular exhaust headers, a dual exhaust system with MagnaFlow mufflers, power steering, a fabricated driveshaft, front disc brakes, a reinforced frame, a coilover suspension system, and a rear Panhard bar. Output is sent to the rear wheels via a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission.
The truck has an eye-catching green paint job with “Gunner’s Rod Shop” branding on the doors and a rusty patina throughout. A clearcoat was applied to its current paint job, so the body should retain this condition for some time if it’s garage-kept. It rides on black-finished Detroit Diesel Smoothie wheels with Redline tires, and a spare tire is mounted ot the driver side of the bed.
On the inside, tan upholstery and three-point seatbelts were added under current ownership. The current owner bought the truck on Bring a Trailer in 2022, so this work is pretty recent. Other interior upgrades include a Vintage Air climate control system, a retro-styled, Bluetooth-capable head unit, and Dolphin gauges. It has a digital odometer that shows 3,300 miles, but the true mileage of this Chevy C10 is unknown.
This auction is running until Thursday, July 3rd, and the high bid is $16,500 as of this writing. It sold for $46,000 in 2022 and has received some additional work since then, so it could cross the $50,000 mark this time.
Comments
Outstanding truck. I love everything about it. The 400 was not designed to fit in trucks. It is the same basic architecture as every Gen 1 small block chevy which went into just about every vehicle GM built. It’s actually nice to see an ole skool build. Not every vehicle needs an LS swap. Absolutely no disrespect to anyone who does though. I just hate to see every LS converted vehicle be supposedly valued at 100k+. Since there are a gazzillion Gen 1 small blocks out there there is no reason to shun them.
Nice, except for the wheels and tires.
Note to everyone that owns a truck like this with the tailgate held shut with a chain and hook: The hook was designed to go in from the bottom and then turned down, not dropped in from the top. That was to prevent the hook from popping out when you hit a bump. On most of todays’ roads there won’t be a problem but that is how they were intended to be used.
Must be own by a redneck brainwashed republican. Bring the guns and shoot firemens like in Idaho. Great country ??? or should I say lousy country.
Seems like English isn’t your primary language. Here’s some remedial help-Gunner likely refers to a person’s name or nickname. Rod Shop is synonymous with “Hot Rod Shop”. Hope that helps.
One more thing-we don’t need anymore America haters here so we hope you stay in Canada.
Grow up we are adults here.
See that I had 19 bad comments. You made my day, stupids
How does one go from a custom pickup truck for Auction to a politically motivated comment? Get a life ! ps. I doubt that you are Canadian as well cause there are more pickups per capita in Canada than anywhere in the US, yes including Texas.
Good looking old truck but I wouldn’t have lowered it.
White is a very nice color……
Definitely NOT a “rat” rod. Too nice. BTW, there are real experts out there who do these
made to look aged and worn paint jobs. One of them used to live and do this work in Shelbyville IN.
I’m very near Shelbyville, IN, my wife’s hometown.