1986 C30 4×4 Dually Truck Is a Totally Awesome ’80s Relic
Rare C/K Series truck is set to be auctioned to the highest–and luckiest–bidder.
Fans of General Motors have all kinds of ideas when it comes to the golden era of the company. Was it the deco designs of the ’30s? The Space Age designs of the early ’60s? Can today’s era of cheap horsepower and emphasis on safety make a claim? Sadly, we can’t answer this question. But we do know that when it comes to trucks, the 1973 to ’87 C/K series Chevrolet (and its GMC cousins) were a golden era if there ever was one.
These trucks were so perfect that they kept the same basic shape for 15 years. The square C/Ks spanned the “Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet” and “The Heartbeat of America” eras, and many of them are still at work today. Those that aren’t, well, they’re fast becoming some of the most collectible trucks out there.
And this 1986 C30, offered by Mecum at its upcoming Las Vegas auction (Nov. 15-17), is a perfect example. This C30 is no cream puff. But it’s such a perfect example that its days of hard work are likely behind it.
Best of the Breed
For starters, this C30 has a Cummins 12V diesel engine under the hood, making it relatively rare. Paired to an automatic transmission, this thing is one seriously torquey beast. This 4×4 dually truck also benefits from an eight-inch lift and Bilstein shocks, making it easier to tackle all kinds of terrain. Out back, it rocks a rare (especially for a diesel) short bed. Up front, there’s a grille and lights from a ’90-’91 Suburban, as well as a striped cowl hood. Later chrome wheels, big exhaust stacks, and modern “Texas Edition” badges give this truck a contemporary custom look.
Inside isn’t too far from stock, but there are some tasteful upgrades here too. The factory-looking velour and vinyl buckets have Chevy bowties embroidered into them. An aftermarket stereo and speakers have replaced the factory Delco units. And a set on ancillary gauges appears to have been mounted on the dash. The truck has power windows, what appear to be power locks, and is fully carpeted, meaning this was one plush truck circa ’86.
While this is undoubtedly a lot of truck, it’s also being offered at no reserve, which means that someone could drive away in this rig for a song. Due to this truck’s rarity, and the fact that Mecum has earmarked it as one of its “Star” lots, we don’t see that happening. But whoever the winner is, they’ll have one seriously tough classic truck that will give them years of enjoyment.
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