Second-Generation C-10 Truck Values Are On The Rise

For the past decade, Chevrolet C-10 truck values have surged steadily and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Whether it be the fairly low cost of entry or the extensive available aftermarket, these trucks have become an attractive entry point into the world of classic vehicles for those who don’t exactly have ’69 Camaro funds. 

The C-10 collective spans from 1960-1987 via three renditions and I believe the middle child (1967-1972) is the most-coveted as the market tends to agree. No shade towards the first and third generations intended as I’m quite fond of them as well, it’s just the second generation seems to have found the sweet spot on the C-10 Venn diagram between aesthetics, available parts and vintage appeal. 

Full disclosure: I bought a 1971 C-10 three years ago and have been restoring it to this day. 

Although many deeply-entrenched classic truck aficionados recognized the trend years ago, it may not have truly caught the rest of the automotive community’s attention until pristine examples began selling at high-profile auctions for hefty prices.

Below are examples of completed Barrett-Jackson second-generation C-10 auctions:

• Scottsdale 2014 – 1972 for $55,000
• Scottsdale 2014 – 1971 for $110,000 (Charity)
• Palm Beach 2014 – 1969 for $90,000 (Charity)
• Las Vegas 2014 – 1972 for $53,900
• Scottsdale 2015 – 1972 for $51,700
• Scottsdale 2016 – 1972 for $50,600

Admittedly, these examples are scratching the value ceiling but for every truck that sells for over fifty-thousand dollars, there’s a dozen more that went for around thirty. And of course, these valuations are only connected to the most pristine, unmolested examples. A long-bed with four previous owners, atrocious wheels and Gucci flames down the side would be lucky to fetch ten stacks.

We’ve configured Hagerty’s helpful valuation tool to further illustrate the point. To keep the data consistent, the half-ton, fleetside model with the largest small-block V8 available for each year was selected exclusively.

What Hagerty’s valuations demonstrate are actually a bit softer than what Barrett-Jackson auctions have produced, yet still hint towards a growing trend. 

Will the most pristine, concours-status examples plateau at fifty-thousand or will we see the first (non-charity) hundred-thousand dollar C-10 sold at auction soon? I’m certainly betting on the latter.