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1967–1972 (second-generation C10) · Truck

Chevrolet C10 — Second-generation ('Action Line')

A work truck that became one of the most flexible project platforms on the road.

The second-generation C10's simple frame, huge parts catalog, and genuinely comfortable cab have made it as popular with resto-mod builders as it once was with contractors — but that same popularity means frame and cab rust need honest inspection before anything else.

Overview

Chevrolet's second-generation C10, built from 1967 to 1972 and nicknamed the 'Action Line' generation internally, moved the half-ton pickup toward genuine daily-driver comfort without giving up work-truck simplicity. Straight-six and small-block V8 engines were both offered, mated to manual or automatic transmissions, on a simple ladder-frame chassis that has proven exceptionally friendly to modification.

The Story

By the late 1960s, Chevrolet recognized that pickup buyers wanted more than a bare-bones work vehicle — they wanted something comfortable enough to drive every day. The second-generation C10 answered with a wider cab, a lower step-in height, and available trim levels that pushed the truck closer to car-like comfort while keeping the mechanical layout straightforward.

That combination of comfort and mechanical simplicity is exactly why the C10 became such a popular canvas for builders decades later. A stock small-block V8 is easy to service or replace outright, the frame accepts a wide range of suspension and drivetrain swaps without exotic fabrication, and the cab's proportions have aged into a look that resonates with buyers who never owned one new.

The tradeoff for that popularity is a used market flooded with trucks in wildly different states — from unmolested survivors to trucks already mid-build with undocumented modifications. Because the truck's simplicity makes it easy to modify badly as well as well, verifying what's actually been done to a given example matters more than usual.

Why It Matters
  • A genuinely simple ladder-frame platform that tolerates engine, suspension, and brake upgrades without exotic fabrication.
  • One of the largest reproduction parts catalogs of any classic vehicle, including full replacement cabs, beds, and frames.
  • A cab and greenhouse design that reads as comfortably usable today, not just nostalgic.
  • Broad appeal across restoration purists, resto-mod builders, and daily-driver enthusiasts alike.
Specifications
Engine
250ci or 292ci inline-6; 283ci, 327ci, or 350ci small-block V8
Transmission
3-speed or 4-speed manual; TH350 or TH400 automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-wheel drive, solid front and rear axles (independent front suspension from 1963 on)
Production Period
1967–1972
Curb Weight
Approximately 3,300–3,800 lb depending on configuration
What to Inspect
  • Cab corners and floor pans for rust, especially around the rear window seal where leaks are common
  • Bed wood and bed-floor metal condition
  • Frame rails for rust and any prior repair or modification quality
  • Brake system type — many trucks retain original single-reservoir, drum-heavy setups that owners often upgrade for safety
  • Steering box play and front-end wear
  • Evidence and documentation of any drivetrain swap already performed
Common Ownership Concerns
  • The huge resto-mod aftermarket makes it easy to modify these trucks well — and just as easy to modify them poorly. Inspect workmanship, not just the parts list.
  • Many surviving trucks already have non-original drivetrains; treat 'numbers matching' claims skeptically without documentation.
  • Frame condition should be checked directly, not assumed from a clean-looking cab and bed.
  • Aging single-circuit brake systems are a real safety consideration on unmodified trucks.
Parts Availability

Excellent. Full replacement cabs, beds, frames, and interior kits are available new from multiple manufacturers, alongside comprehensive mechanical parts support — among the deepest aftermarket catalogs of any classic vehicle.

Suggested Project Directions
Patina-preserved mechanical refreshLS-swap resto-modClassic small-block driver buildFarm-truck-to-daily conversion
Gallery
Photo Credits

Additional approved photography is in progress. Every published image is recorded in PATINA’s rights register.

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