Last year a family friend, who was closing her Landscaping business, Offerred me her 81 Chevy long bed, in "that white" for 8.. She was the original owner and the truck had an estimated 75K miles. Her first husband was the original owner.. I said 8000, no way. It had a badly smacked up bed and lots of rust. She said, no, $800 and I said "really?" My wife said buy it..
It ran OK. It had had a 3 on the tree, that was now a Hurst 3 on the floor. Power steering was the only original option. After tuning, a new clutch, new tires and some other stuff it has become my daily driver.
Yes, it is a 250-6 cylinder. It rides nice and quiet. The true mileage is iffy as the speedometer was broken and replaced when I got it, and the temp gauge was out. Mileage was pretty close to 75 K as all service since 1981 was recorded on the carfax. The mileage slowly creeped up to 70K, when in 2017 it was noted the speedo was no longer accurate with no mileage recorded after that. So, truly a low mileage truck.
The emissions equipment on that old girl is from the ugly stupid stage of american cars, but somehow all of it still works! The truck was named Ralph..It just looks like a Ralph. Total I still have less that 3000 in it which includes (hagerty-classic) insurance, and all the minor work I did. And a truck bed crane too. I found 40 year old gear oil in the 12 bolt 3.08 Rear end. Yik, and replaced it.
I sold my electric car and am enjoying the economy of an old simple vehicle.
Someday when the engine gives up, I will either rip the head off and replace it with all new carb, head, and some performance tweaks, but I think it may run like this for many years to come. As I am a mechanic that works on classics only, and I have a 41 stovebolt in the shop now, its kinda nice having Ralph...with his true stovebolt 6 (although there are no stovebolts in the 81.)
Lee
Lee
1981 C10 "custom deluxe" stripper in white "Ralph" Will work on any classic
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne 4dr 230 I-6 one owner (I’m #2) “Emily” ‘39 Dodge Businessmans Coupe “Clarence”
"I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
It's getting harder and harder to find a one owner these days. Especially with very low mileage.