Chevy trucks have always been coveted by the roguish vagabonds that live their lives on the road in their trucks. In the latest edition of Chevrolet Performance’s digital news blog, The Block, Eric Stein’s 1964 Chevrolet C10 Custom is featured for that exact reason. It is a rugged daily-driver truck that lives for the open road.

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The truck, and its owner clearly have character, and as the article accurately points out, “It’s not a rat rod, and it’s more than just a project car. Regardless of what it is or isn’t, it’s hard not to instantly fall in love with this style of build.”

Stein recounted the story of his life, starting with the $3,000 purchase in Raleigh, North Carolina, a few years ago. It was a snap decision to buy the farm truck with a for sale sign on it. But, that happened miles away, after he left. When he started thinking about it, he made a rapid U-turn and made a bee-line back for a closer look. Seeing that it was in decent shape, Stein bought the truck largely because it had very little rust, and the bed still had the original wood.

The first generation of C/K Chevy trucks have become very popular with most enthusiasts. Prior to the Gen I C-series trucks, work trucks sat higher and actually drove like trucks. The new C-series body style and drop-center frame with independent suspension gave these pickup trucks a smoother ride quality.

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It doesn’t hurt that the early C10 trucks have a great looking, but minimalistic cab and front end. There were only two trim levels offered, which made it easy to identify the trucks. You had either the standard or custom trim level, and that was it. As far as the body style goes, the C-series trucks were offered with  either a fleetside or stepside bed.

Stein’s truck is a fleetside custom that has the extra trim along the bed and down the back of the cab on either side. Correctly assessing that his truck was perfectly imperfect, Stein left the exterior untouched. However, he did make a few changes to the power package. In a day when gearing was used to create power, the engines were not as large, and the drivetrain not as willing to hit higher highway speeds. Stein pulled the existing engine and transmission out in favor of a reliable 350ci Gen II LT1 with four-bolt main and a Muncie M-20 four-speed transmission.

After making the truck streetable, Stein purchased some drop springs and lowering blocks to bring the truck down by 7 inches. At this point the truck had a great look, and the ride quality and handling were improved.

Highlights

• Name: Eric Stein
• Hometown: Indian Trail, North Carolina
• Year/Make/Model: 1964 Chevrolet C10
• Color: Chevrolet Victory Red, Chevrolet White and Chevrolet Black
• Engine: Small Block Chevrolet 350ci LT1
• Transmission: Muncie 4-speed manual M-20
• Suspension: five-inch lowering springs at all four corners and two-inch lowering blocks in the back. The brakes are of the drum variety, and the wheels and tires are 15-inch steel rims equipped with Cooper Cobra rubber.