1971 Chevrolet C-10 Custom RestoMod

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1971 Chevrolet C10 Restomod – LS Powered, RideTech, Wilwood, Vintage Air

There are C10s built to sit at shows, and there are C10s built to be driven. This 1971 Chevrolet C10 was put together with the latter in mind.

The idea behind the truck is pretty simple: retain everything that makes an early C10 cool, give it the right stance and just enough attitude, then upgrade the mechanicals so you can get in, turn the key, hit the air conditioning, and actually enjoy driving it.

Originally a two-wheel-drive long-bed C10, the truck was shortened into its current custom mid-bed configuration and finished in a great-looking two-tone combination of Mint Green with a Wimbledon White roof. The paint was recently refinished by Best of Show Coachworks in Escondido, California, and the truck sits low over 20-inch Rocket Racing wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero tires.

The result is a truck that gets attention without trying too hard. It has the classic C10 shape, a great stance, and enough custom touches to make you look twice.

Under the hood is a professionally rebuilt GM 5.3-liter Vortec/LS V8. The engine was rebuilt with upgraded performance internals, including a performance camshaft and cylinder-head work, and was subsequently professionally calibrated on a chassis dyno. The completed engine produced 415.4 horsepower and 396.5 lb-ft of torque on the engine dyno. Following installation in the truck, chassis dyno testing recorded 357.2 horsepower at the rear wheels. Dyno sheets documenting both results are included with the truck.

One of my favorite parts of the truck is what was done with the engine visually.

Rather than having the typical modern LS appearance, the engine uses a Delmo Speed Del's Engine Kit with a Holley aluminum intake and vintage-style Chevrolet-script valve covers. The Delmo conversion disguises the modern LS architecture and EFI components to give the engine the appearance of a period-correct Chevrolet small-block.

So when you open the hood, the engine actually looks like it belongs in a 1971 C10—but underneath that vintage appearance you still have modern electronic fuel injection and factory GM engine management.

The factory GM ECU controls the engine as well as the dual electric cooling fans. Cooling is handled by a black-finished aluminum radiator, making this a combination designed for real-world driving rather than just looking good with the hood open.

The engine breathes through performance headers and a custom stainless-steel exhaust system that merges from two pipes into one MagnaFlow muffler before exiting through twin slash-cut tips just ahead of the passenger-side rear tire. It isn't shy—the truck has the deep, aggressive hot-rod sound you would expect from a cammed LS-powered C10.

The original fuel arrangement was replaced with a rear-mounted Holley Sniper EFI fuel tank system.

The tank incorporates a 255-LPH in-tank electric fuel pump along with the EFI fuel-pressure regulation necessary to properly support the LS engine. Moving the tank beneath the bed also gets the fuel tank out of the original in-cab location.

A custom filler has been neatly integrated into the bed floor.

Behind the LS is a GM 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive, which is a big part of what makes the truck such an enjoyable cruiser.

Out back is a GM 12-bolt rear axle with an Eaton Posi limited-slip differential and 3.73:1 gears. The rear end was professionally rebuilt, and during that process the axle housing was measured and checked for proper tolerances, alignment, and dimensional accuracy before final assembly.

The 3.73 gearing works particularly well with the 4L60E—giving the truck plenty of response around town while the overdrive keeps it comfortable on the freeway.

The stance isn't just for looks.

The truck rides on a RideTech suspension system with StrongArms tubular front control arms, tubular rear trailing arms, and adjustable coilovers at all four corners.

That combination gives the truck its low stance while dramatically improving the way an old C10 feels from behind the wheel. Steering is assisted by a Borgeson quick-ratio power steering box, giving the truck a much tighter and more responsive feel than a stock 1971 pickup.

This is a C10 you can actually enjoy on a winding road.

Stopping power received the same attention as the suspension.

The truck is equipped with Wilwood four-wheel disc brakes with oversized drilled and slotted rotors. Up front are six-piston Wilwood calipers, while the rear uses four-piston Wilwood calipers.

The system is operated through a Wilwood master cylinder and Hydroboost hydraulic brake assist, rather than relying on conventional engine vacuum. The result is strong, consistent braking that is well suited to the cammed LS engine and upgraded chassis.

The interior is one of the highlights of the truck.

The cabin was redone by Mark Luhr Auto Upholstery in El Cajon, California and combines a warm Caramel Saddle color with brown plaid Relicate Textiles inserts. The plaid gives the interior just enough 1970s character without making it feel overdone.

The custom bench seat is complemented by coordinated door panels, carpeting, custom floor mats, and kick panels. The interior work also included upgraded sound deadening and heat insulation, along with work to the seat foam and springs.

The result is a cabin that still feels like an old C10—but a much nicer place to spend a few hours.

And this truck has the things you actually want when you're driving it:

Vintage Air air conditioning, Nu-Relics power windows, a tilt steering column, three-point shoulder belts, Dakota Digital instrumentation, and a Kenwood Excelon stereo with Bluetooth/CD functionality feeding Kicker speakers.

The Dakota Digital gauges retain a traditional analog appearance while providing modern instrumentation, and the digital odometer currently shows approximately 14,000 miles. Total chassis mileage is unknown.

The body is finished in Mint Green with a Wimbledon White roof, a combination that fits the truck perfectly.

Additional details include Camaro SS-style faux hood vents, LED taillights and marker lights, dual exterior mirrors, shaved bed stake pockets, and a beautifully finished bed with dark-stained wood planks and aluminum runners.

The custom fuel filler for the relocated tank is integrated into the bed floor.

Machine-finished 20-inch Rocket Racing wheels complete the stance and are wrapped in staggered Pirelli P Zero tires measuring 255/40 up front and 285/40 at the rear.

This is not being represented as a concours-quality, nut-and-bolt frame-off restoration, and that's really not what this truck is about.

It's a driver.

The paint and interior show extremely well, while the underside reflects a truck that has been built, upgraded, sorted, and actually driven. Mechanically, considerable attention has gone into making the different systems work together—from the rebuilt LS and EFI fuel system to the RideTech suspension, Borgeson steering, Wilwood/Hydroboost brakes, overdrive transmission, and Vintage Air.

That's what makes this C10 so much fun.

Roll the windows down—or put them up and turn on the A/C—listen to the cammed LS through the side-exit exhaust, and just cruise.

It has the stance. It has the sound. It has the right colors. And perhaps most importantly, it's the kind of old truck you don't have to make excuses for driving.

If you're looking for a C10 that can be enjoyed on a Saturday morning coffee run, driven to a local cars-and-coffee, taken down the coast for the afternoon, or simply parked in the garage so you can turn around and look at it one more time before walking inside, this truck does that job very well.