1971 Chevrolet K-10 ½ Ton

Bill’s son and new owner, Mike Vavrina

It’s amazing what a person can do to a 1971 Chevy C-10 ½ ton 6 cylinder, 3 speed column shift, drive to work many, many, many years and later change its total personality. It’s only possible if its owner has major mechanical skills plus some disposable income saved back with this project in mind.

In this case, it is the caterpillar that goes into a hibernation process and emerges as a butterfly!

It begins in the 1980’s when Bill Vavrina of Hudson, New York purchased this (then about a 12 year old) 1971 ½ ton. Its 250 6 cylinder with 3 speed transmission would be a great economy truck and could also do some hauling needs. He did not mind that it was mostly in black primer. After all, it was only for getting to his job as a diesel mechanic.

It was not until 15 years later when the popularity of this Chevy pickup body style was growing. Bill began to think about making it something really special. With so much of these pickups having parts that interchanged plus his experience as a mechanic. He could always get another to work vehicle and make this as his hobby truck. What really opened the doors was buying a short bed four wheel drive parts truck that could donate most of the major items Bill needed.

This purchase gave him the very important “back bone” for the new creation, a four wheel drive frame! His cab perfectly fit this donor frame with the 4x4 front suspension.

We know Bill was really wanting the best when he also bought a new “in the crate” 350 cubic inch V-8 from the local Chevrolet dealer. It is now fueled by throttle body injection!

The late model 3 speed GM Hydromatic transmission is shifted by a special floor mounted lever. It also has the “creature comforts” of power steering and brakes. Of course, this pickup’s title has changed from C-10 to K-10.

The Big Surprise:

During our discussions with Mike it sounded like his father Bill really enjoyed this very detailed restoration project. The more he got into this, the more he studied about it and learned so much about the truck he once drove to work!

Bill did some of this project after he formally retired from being a diesel mechanic. A few health issues were coming to the surface, so he did not attend many nearby shows. He drove the pickup in the local area and was proud of his accomplishment and the attention it received.

Yes, Bill is still with us! Bill and his son Mike live a 3 hour drive apart but they talk often about the truck. The big surprise was at the right time a few years ago. Bill gave Mike the keys and said, “You like this pickup as well as I do, you own it.” Mike was not expecting this! What an honor. Mike drives it carefully and enjoys some nearby specialty car and truck shows.

The finished product is a very unusual, but a totally GM correct, short step bed V-8, 4x4. It is a real attention getter at any early truck show. Mike attends various local shows and often hears comments like, “Want to sell it?” We don’t think this is a possibility. It is a legacy of his dad who made this show truck be created.