Why This Car Is Special

The 1966 Chevrolet C-10 sits at the peak of what collectors call the "Action Line" generation — the redesigned second-gen trucks that Chevrolet introduced for 1960 and refined through 1966 before the next major body change arrived in 1967. The '66 model year is widely regarded as the most refined expression of that body style. The hood was lowered and restyled for 1964, and by 1966 Chevrolet had dialed in the details: cleaner trim lines, better interior options, and the squared-off Fleetside bed that gave these trucks a more proportional, finished look compared to the stepside. The big rear window — a factory option on 1966 C-10s — is one of those details that collectors specifically seek out, and this truck has it.

This particular 1966 Chevrolet C-10 Fleetside is not a driver-quality truck being cleaned up for resale. It is a ground-up custom build assembled with a clear parts list and a defined direction: modern drivability in a first-rate 1960s body. The builder sourced components from recognized performance suppliers — TCI, Edelbrock, Holley, CPP, Flowmaster, LMC Truck — and the result is a truck that drives the way these old Chevys always looked like they should. With fewer than 100 miles on the completed build, this 1966 Chevrolet C-10 has essentially never been driven.

Features List

- GM Performance 383 cubic inch V8, rated at 383 horsepower - Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold - Holley performance carburetor - TCI automatic transmission - CPP rack-and-pinion steering conversion - CPP front disc brake conversion, 5-lug - Shorty headers with Flowmaster mufflers, dual exhaust - Aluminum radiator with electric cooling fan - Optima Red Top battery - LMC Truck chrome and wood bed kit - LMC billet aluminum dash panel - Auto Meter gauge cluster with tachometer - Leather seat with built-in console - Tilt steering column with custom steering wheel - Chrome hood hinges - Stainless steel cylinder head bolts - New chrome front and rear bumpers - Chrome side trim, all new - Custom 15-inch Ultra wheels - PPG finish in red - Fleetside short bed configuration - Big back window - Fewer than 100 miles on completed build

Mechanical

The engine powering this 1966 Chevrolet C-10 is a 383 cubic inch stroker V8 built to GM Performance specifications and rated at 383 horsepower. A 383 stroker uses a 350 small block block bored 0.030 over and combined with a crankshaft from a 400 small block, bringing total displacement to 383 cubic inches. It is one of the most proven combinations in the Chevrolet small block world — enough torque to move a truck like this decisively off the line, and well within the reliable power band for street use. The Edelbrock aluminum intake and Holley performance carburetor are a pairing that has been refined over decades of street and strip use, and both are well-supported in the aftermarket if service is ever needed.

The TCI automatic transmission handles power delivery, and the combination of that gearbox with rack-and-pinion steering from Classic Performance Products addresses the two biggest complaints about first-gen and second-gen C-10 driving dynamics: the vague, slow recirculating ball steering and the tendency of original three-speed automatics to feel sluggish at highway speeds. The CPP front disc brake conversion with 5-lug hubs brings the stopping power in line with the engine output — a critical upgrade that original drum brakes simply cannot match at this power level. Shorty headers feed into Flowmaster mufflers through a true dual exhaust, which exits cleanly under the rear bumper as visible in the undercarriage photos. The aluminum radiator with electric fan keeps temperatures in check regardless of traffic conditions, and the Optima Red Top battery provides reliable cranking power. The underside of this truck shows a clean, tight build throughout.

Interior

The cabin of this 1966 Chevrolet C-10 has been rebuilt with a mix of period-correct styling and modern function. The LMC billet aluminum dash panel replaces the original stamped steel unit and provides a clean, machined surface for the Auto Meter gauge cluster, which includes a tachometer — something the factory never offered on a base C-10 in 1966. Auto Meter instruments are widely trusted for accuracy and durability in custom builds, and the full cluster gives the driver actual data on oil pressure, water temperature, voltage, and fuel level rather than the minimal warning light setup most of these trucks left the factory with.

The seating is covered in tan leather with a built-in console, which was not a factory option on the 1966 C-10 at all — the original trucks offered a bench seat with a column-mounted shifter. The console-integrated seat gives the interior a more intentional, finished feel without straying into overdone territory. The tilt steering column and custom steering wheel improve driver positioning considerably over the fixed, large-diameter wheel that came standard. Door panels are tan to match, and all trim pieces are new. The big rear window — a factory option for 1966 — opens the cab up considerably and gives the truck an airy, wide feel that the small-window trucks simply do not have.

Exterior

This 1966 Chevrolet C-10 Fleetside wears a red PPG finish that suits the body lines of this generation well. PPG is a professional-grade automotive coating used by body shops and custom builders, not a rattle-can or budget respray. The Fleetside short bed configuration is the correct choice for a build like this — the smooth, flat bed sides and tailgate with the embossed Chevrolet lettering are a defining visual of second-gen C-10 design.

Chrome bumpers front and rear are new pieces, not rechromed originals, and they fill the body correctly without the pitting or bubbling common on restored originals of this age. The chrome side trim running along the lower body is all new as well. Chrome hood hinges are a small detail but a visible one when the hood is open, and on a truck built to this standard they are the right call. The 15-inch Ultra wheels are a clean, classic multi-spoke design that works with the proportions of the short bed body without going oversized. The LMC chrome and wood bed kit dresses the bed floor properly — wood slats with chrome strips and hardware — consistent with how Chevrolet offered the Custom Sport Truck package in period. The big rear window, visible from the outside, is a sought-after detail on this body style and is correctly proportioned to the cab.

Conclusion

The 1966 Chevrolet C-10 Fleetside is one of the most consistently appreciated trucks in the classic truck market, and for good reason. The body is clean and proportional, the platform responds well to modern drivetrain and suspension upgrades, and parts support from suppliers like LMC Truck and CPP is excellent. This specific example has been built with a clear parts strategy using respected brands, finished in professional-grade paint, and driven fewer than 100 miles since completion. It is not a project. It is not a work in progress. It is a finished, sorted truck that is ready to be driven.

If you have questions about this 1966 Chevrolet C-10 or would like to arrange a time to see it in person, call Skyway Classics in Sarasota, Florida at 941-254-6608. Our team is happy to walk you through the build in detail.

Disclaimer Information found on the website is presented as given to us by the owner of the car, whether on consignment or from the owner we bought it from. Some Photos, materials for videos, descriptions and other information are provided by the consignor/seller and is deemed reliable, but Skyway Classics does not warranty or guarantee this information. Skyway Classics is not responsible for information that may incorrect or a publishing error. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the vehicle or by a professional inspection service prior to offer or purchase being made.