Good morning, Autopians! Today we’ve got a couple of old workhorses that have been put out to pasture, but they’ve still got a little life left in them. And they’re both going up in value, so we’d better check them out while we can afford them. But first, let’s find out which of Friday’s finalists is our new video star:
Close one, but the Oldsmobile wins it. That’s really the perfect Hollywood choice anyway; in showbiz, you can be kind of crap, as long as you’re pretty.
Neither of today’s vehicles is pretty; the best they can manage is “ruggedly handsome.” But they both run and drive just fine, and either one can still be useful. Or just cruise around and have a little fun. After all, all work and no play makes… well, you know. They’re both the same price, and while it may seem high, old trucks like these are having a moment, and that moment shows no signs of ending. They’ll probably be even more expensive next year, so if you want one, grab it now. Let’s check them out.
1977 Chevrolet C10 Bonanza – $3,999
Engine/drivetrain: 350 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Portland, OR
Odometer reading: 211,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep!
This generation of Chevy truck is known as the “Squarebody,” because of its rectilinear shape. But the funny part is, if you really study the design, there’s barely a sharp corner on it, if you don’t count the bed. The end of every line is rounded-off, which may be why General Motors calls this era of truck the “Rounded Line.” Believe it or not, this truck was designed using a wind tunnel, even though it looks like it has the aerodynamics of a cinder block.
Whatever you want to call it, it’s a damn good looking piece of machinery. I’m especially fond of this early style, before the facelift of 1981 that squared off the front end even more. And it wears two-tone paint well, even when it’s as faded and weatherbeaten as this one is.
But before we talk more about this truck, I need to point out that I think this photo has been altered. It doesn’t look like western Oregon at all. It’s far too lush and verdant; nobody here actually has a multitude of hundred-foot-tall pine trees in their backyards. And we never get glorious sunsets like this after a perfect golden hour of late-afternoon sun. It’s nowhere near this pretty, so stop thinking about moving here.
Now, about this truck: it’s a C10, in the “Bonanza” trim level. It’s powered by the ubiquitous 350 cubic inch small-block V8, backed by a Turbo-Hydramatic 350 transmission. This drivetrain is legendary for a reason – it’s just about indestructible, easy to service, and dirt-cheap to repair if something does go wrong. This one purrs like a kitten, from the sounds of it, and the transmission was recently rebuilt. The 350 in these trucks is equipped with a Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor, capable of sucking down fuel at an astonishing rate. Luckily, it has two fuel tanks to feed that thirsty monster, one on each side – pull up to whichever side of the pumps you want.
The outside of this truck may have a near-perfect level of patina, but the inside needs some help. The bench seat is worn through, but in true work truck fashion, only on the driver’s side; the seldom-used passenger’s side is pristine. The carpet is missing, probably removed because the floors are rusted through. The seller says replacement floor pans are included – but you’ll have to weld them in yourself.
1986 Dodge Ram 150 – $4,000
Engine/drivetrain: 318 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: McFarland, CA
Odometer reading: 115,000 miles
Runs/drives? Sure does!
Perpetual third-place Chrysler Corporation trailed GM and Ford in the truck market even worse than in passenger cars, until the radical 1994 Dodge Ram trucks were introduced. Since then, the gap has narrowed considerably, but Ram (they dropped the “Dodge” badge years ago) is still number three. Slow-selling though it was at the time, the D-series trucks like this are finally getting their due.
This Ram 150 is a 2WD short-bed model, powered by a 318 cubic inch V8 and a Torqueflite automatic. Short-bed trucks are often seen as playthings, but even without that extra foot and a half of bed length, it’s still a half-ton truck, still capable of doing truck things. It just can’t haul full sheets of plywood with the tailgate up. The 318/Torqueflite combination is every bit as stout and reliable as Chevy’s 350/TH350, and this one runs and drives fine. I believe, from the photos, that it’s being sold by a towing company, which would make it difficult to uncover its history, so we’ll have to assess it at face value.
This is a high trim level truck, with power windows and locks, cruise control, and a tilt steering wheel in addition to air conditioning. It’s not clear from the ad how much of that stuff works, and its presence is another indication that this truck was meant for play rather than work, but if you like that stuff in a truck, it’s all there. It’s a pity it has that hideous mid-1980s Dodge steering wheel, though. I hated these things in Daytonas and Lancers, and I hate it here too.
Outside, it looks pretty good, with only a few bumps and bruises. The mismatched tires are a bummer, and the scruffy black wagon wheels aren’t doing it any favors. A nice set of slot mags would look good on here, I think, if you could find them. Otherwise, it just looks dirty. I think some elbow grease would do it a world of good.
I fully expect some grousing about the prices of these two. We got used to old trucks like these being sub-$1000 beaters, and they made enough of them (even the Dodge) that for a long time they bounced along the bottom of the market. But this is what they cost now. And really, for a classic (or near-classic) that can earn its keep, it’s not too bad. Which one of these strikes your fancy?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
I voted for the Chevy, as I love the square body, but in reality I want both. One to wrench on and one to daily drive. I will admit I’d be tempted to try and swap the pre-1980 front end onto that D150 and do my best Lil Red Express or Warlock impression (despite not being a flareside).
Chevy for me. I’ve had an old short-bed Squarebody before, with the revised 8’s front end, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Simple, cheap parts, and no big deal to troubleshoot and fix any issues that might arise. Basically, everything a pickup should be — a simple, bulletproof workhorse.
Throw on a simple seatcover (The typical Western blanket style, of course). Patch the floorboards and put it to work doing Truck Things, which I never seem to have a shortage of since I do most of my own home repairs and improvements.
If the Q-Jet acts up and you don’t want to mess with it (they’re not everybody’s cup of tea…), drop on an Edelbrock carb like my last Squarebody had. There are plenty of Q-Jet enthusiasts who’ll take it off your hands.
I really don’t get the squarebody craze. I hate the look. Gimme the Dodge. If you can’t Dodge ‘em, Ram em!
Just how often are you people hauling full sheets of plywood?
I’ve always liked the looks of the short beds better, plus the added benefit of fitting into my garage, even with tool cabinets at the front wall.
The once-every-five years I need plywood and/or 8′ 2x4s, I’ll just bring some red shop towels and duct tape to attach them to the ends.
I like them both. Though the Chevy has the correct configuration for a workhorse, I think the Dodge is the better truck since it doesn’t need new floor pans. The C10 would have easily won me over if not for the rust.
Wow, you really hit it out of the park, Mark! Thanks…I love both of these trucks and although my brother actually just bought a great 77′ Dodge truck, I voted C10 because I love the Squarebody design, etc so much!
Also: “There’s a George Bonanza (Costanza) here” ha ha
Hoping the that the Dodge would have less rust on it, as it’s in Cali
last year for the 140 HP lean burn 2 BBL on that 318. The older 350 is also smog choked, but I feel like it is less so and likely easier to make run better longer. But I do like the D150 body and overall truck a bit better. And since it does not need to stay stock it would be a good place for an SRT 6.1/6Speed manual to swap in.
I want both, Chevy I’d patch up and use as a work truck around the house and for daily driver use, the Dodge would get a good scrubbing and cleanup for black-tie events with my Lady Friend.
I predict the Chevy will win but I voted Dodge. Love me a D150!
Had an 88 Dodge D200 2WD, 8 ft bed, quintessential old man truck. 318 and Torqueflite 727. Great truck that died due to rust, like everything else around here. I’ll fix cosmetic rust but when a control arm mount breaks loose from the frame it’s time for the scrapyard.
This old man likes the cut of that Chevy’s jib.
I’ll go with the lower mileage Dodge that seems to be in better condition.
The 2-tone Chevy is just so much prettier. They’re both solid trucks, but I won’t see that Dodge in my daydreams.
Either one of these would be good with me. I chose the dodge, just because I think the square body rage is just a bit much for me. In reality, if I was choosing between the two, it would probably come down to a test drive and in person inspection.
I’d drive that Chevy to the levee anytime…
Easy, go with the Chevy. Parts are way easier to come by–literally anything you need for it can be had super easily and for decent prices. Want to fix those floor pans? Sure. Want to rebuild the suspension? Easy enough. Want to throw in a new front cross member with upgraded suspension and rack and pinion steering? You’ve got lots of choices.
Meanwhile the Dodge has just a fraction of the selection.
Your not wrong, but it is not like it would be hard to find parts for the Dodge. That is a really common drivetrain, and there are plenty of parts available, but there certainly are a lot more choices with the Chevy.
You’re ignoring that the more choices for the Chevy also typically comes with drastically lower prices.
Let’s see, we have the same price, one truck with rusty floorboards, a trashed seat, and twice the mileage, or a Dodge with none of that… Yep, went Chevy despite it seeming to be in worse shape all around.
I’ll go Dodge here, but those electric cabin controls do not work in its favor. Still, younger truck, fewer miles, nicer interior, and equally reliable drivetrain offset the Chevy’s more useful long bed and pretty face.
Ehhh, at the age of either of these vehicles, my personal opinion is that the Dodge being newer and with fewer miles is totally irrelevant. Actual condition matters far more.
You can get a new seat cover–actual upholstery and not just a universal bench seat cover–for like $250, and carpet kit for like $150. So for ~$400 over the Dodge, the interiors become virtually equal.
A 318 and Torqueflite?
Psh, easy choice there!
My grandfather had both of these trucks making the sentimental vote a hard one to pick this morning.
Went with the cheaper option..Seriously, though, the Chevy just ticks all the boxes: long bed, 2-tone, 350. You just can’t beat that combo!
I “fixed” holes like those on the Chevy in my truck’s floor pan with fiberglass and POR-15. It isn’t structural, but it keeps the water and any exhaust leaks out of the cab.
Now that I think about it, I might should see what my ’85 F150 would bring. I would take $4k for mine any day, and it still passes inspection in PA.
I’m not sure either of these meet my definition of “scruffy.” Both look like they could be nice with a good cleaning, and in the case of the Chevy, a seat cover. As a former Midwesterner, I’m not even impressed by the rust on the floorboards – spray paint and duct tape could fix that. Overall, both are cool trucks for the money.
I’ll take the Chevy out of personal preference. Square body Chevys are great looking trucks. Also, I think there is more collector potential in the Square body. This won’t be a $4,000 truck in a few years.
The long bed is more useful than the shorty.
Also, too bad the Ram here didn’t have that awesome hood ornament. If it did, I would’ve voted for the Dodge.
The Squarebody lasted too long, while the generations before and after are much cooler yet didn’t have as long of a life.
This one was pretty tough. I love square bodies, but right now, if I was in the market for a truck, the cool factor of a short bed sealed the deal.
Dodge for me!