Long live the Daily Driver

[808_67C10]

Ya know, as I get older I think about the C10s that I have owned and both clocked 8-10k miles a year. I am damn proud of that. Right now, I drive 35 miles round trip Monday through Friday to work in my 85 C10 through rain, shine, earthquakes, lava flow, and volcanic ash! Sometimes she sits in traffic and other times the road is open and I can crack the ass end loose to have some fun. Regardless of what is going on in my life, when I open that heavy ass door, sit down on my worn in seat, turn that old school square GM key, and hear those dual flowmasters breathe - it makes me feel alive.

The other thing that I think about is how much I enjoy searching for the next thing I am going to do to the truck. I love to search for the the parts I need to make my vision come to life. I can't afford to park the truck in my garage, tear it down to the frame, and replace everything with high budget parts. To be honest, that would take away from the fun of driving it so, I do a little at a time - on my budget while driving it everyday. I also cant afford to always buy new parts so, I do my best to save money by scouring craigslist and bartering with friends to get what I need. Some things, I save and sell other parts to buy new if I cant find used. I think that makes my truck that much more special because almost everything has a story and I meet a lot of other enthusiasts this way. Some have even become long-time friends.

I am not sure where I was going with this but, I am just in need of seeing more daily drivers in magazines and in the streets. Living where I do in Hawaii doesn't reveal a lot of C10s because they aren't as popular as the 4x4 Tacoma/4Runner and import scene so, I long for stories about daily drivers and home garage builds on a budget because that is honestly the backbone of our hobby. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the beauty of $20k+ show trucks but, that isn't the reality most of us live in. To me, those trucks have no soul, they get built, hit the shows for a while then, they are sold. Daily drivers have been to prom, have gotten the owner through good times and bad and are part of us everyday as we make our way to work, sports, and when we just want to go for a drive to get **** off our mind.

Long live the daily driver! Hell yeah... I am going for a drive!

[blindbug]

You like daily drivers? I will point to my father. He bought his 1986 GMC Sierra brand new in 1986 and was the only vehicle he owned until around 2009. He was a welding teacher, and is still an avid hunter. He drove that truck every single day of the week for almost 25 years before he finally let it have a break every now and then. It's a manual trans, no A/C in BLACK and was never garaged (so it was always hot as hell). That takes some dedication, and thus rubbed off onto me and my NEED to have a squarebody. His truck is still going strong, and though I've tried, I won't be able to pry it off of him until he's gone cold... so I went out and found a 1986 C10 to tinker on. Sure enough, as soon as I bought it, he was kicked into high gear again wanting to make sure his Blackie was running tight and looking great. While I can't say that my C10 is a daily driver, it's really only because I have kids and the engine needs some overhaul. That said, I agree, long live the daily driver!

[1957 Chief]

I love driving mine every day. Heck, I even got caught in the snow...

Bubba

[808_67C10]

Love it, keep the stories coming!!!

[Keith Seymore]

30 years and 200k miles -

I'm the original and third owner.

K

[skyphix]

Mine was my daily from when I bought it in September of this year until the end of October when the snow and, thus, salted roads started.

Starting next summer, it will be my daily driver from about mid April until early/mid November depending on how early the snow flies. I'm looking for a 4x4 Suburban or even Blazer/Jimmy for my hunting/fishing/camping/winter rig, in which case I'll stock up on patch panels and body parts... but its worth it.

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by skyphix

Mine was my daily from when I bought it in September of this year until the end of October when the snow and, thus, salted roads started.

Starting next summer, it will be my daily driver from about mid April until early/mid November depending on how early the snow flies. I'm looking for a 4x4 Suburban or even Blazer/Jimmy for my hunting/fishing/camping/winter rig, in which case I'll stock up on patch panels and body parts... but its worth it.

HAHA, that is funny, I am stocking up on patch panels too... my truck has been in Hawaii for a year now and cancer already started on the bottom of my passenger door but that's ok, I live in Hawaii and that is one of the many prices you pay... like double shipping costs with longer wait times. ROFLMAO

I love all the snow pics though! How about trucks doing truck stuff?

[Loco83]

Same as Keith, 35 yrs and 230K on the clock, original owner, bought new in June 83.

[Zachary17]

Got mine 4 years ago for my 17 birthday.

Third owner 103 on the clock.

[Loco83]

Originally Posted by Zachary17

Got mine 4 years ago for my 17 birthday.

Third owner 103 on the clock.

This is the same two tone paint job my truck had when i bought it, went solid when i had it painted 5 yrs ago

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by Loco83

Same as Keith, 35 yrs and 230K on the clock, original owner, bought new in June 83.

Loco - that is one beautiful truck! I love the muscle car rallys. To be honest, really like the color too...

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 808_67C10

I love all the snow pics though! How about trucks doing truck stuff?

...

[Keith Seymore]

...

[Keith Seymore]

One more:

[LT7A]

808, you almost lost me here:

Originally Posted by 808_67C10

I can crack the ass

Hahaha, but I stayed with ya and appreciated the thoughts you wrote out. Whether it's a hobby truck, DD, or super-shiny show-goer, I like them all. But I am partial to the "doin' what I can with what I have" rigs. Keep at it man.

(Plus I'm still groovin' on the grey canopy)

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by LT7A

808, you almost lost me here:



Hahaha, but I stayed with ya and appreciated the thoughts you wrote out. Whether it's a hobby truck, DD, or super-shiny show-goer, I like them all. But I am partial to the "doin' what I can with what I have" rigs. Keep at it man.

(Plus I'm still groovin' on the grey canopy)

Come on now... you forgot the entire quote... "crack the ass end loose" - am I the only one that likes to do that? That cant be true! There is nothing like putting your foot in it and holding on for the ride...ahhhh break the foot off in it! - none of that helped my case huh?

As for the show trucks... with the popularity of the C10 and vast amount of builds, most have become so "cookie cutter" that they are boring. I like things that push styling limits and get a little different. You can buy almost every part of our trucks in a catalog now, its tough to be different. Wear and tear of the daily driver/work trucks is what makes them so cool... after all, that is what trucks are for... not living in a garage and being hauled around on a trailer with a $80k truck pulling it from show to show. Its like putting an animal in a cage - just aint right, aint prudent!

[rgunlock]

I wanted a "like new" 40 year old truck to use as my daily driver, so I built one. Well, it is at least close to like new Still working out some bugs. Not a lot of wear and tear yet, and will likely never enter a show but I rarely see another like it on the road anymore.

[Loco83]

Nice!

[natedogg]

I drive atleast one of my c10's everyday and sometimes both! I currently own 2, but have had 14 total over the years. I'd rather drive a sqyarebody than anything. These trucks have been a part of me and my family for decades. My dad bought a new 79 K10 and him and that truck started it all. My brother has had 3. My grandpa and uncle had several the list goes on....I will keep atleast 1 running squarebody in my driveway for the rest of my life.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by 808_67C10

Come on now... you forgot the entire quote... "crack the ass end loose" - am I the only one that likes to do that? That cant be true! There is nothing like putting your foot in it and holding on for the ride...ahhhh break the foot off in it! - none of that helped my case huh?

Yeah, haha, all about breaking them loose now and again. We just use different terminology...hahaha.

As far as the show trucks, etc., etc. I get the chance to look in on that with a lot of interest by seeing what's on the forum here and I really enjoy it. I already have what I want so I don't have to deal much in the way of envy or criticism. My trucks are cool as they sit and will most likely get even better with time, and I feel lucky to have them. And glad to have a place to talk to others that feel the same way.

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Yeah, haha, all about breaking them loose now and again. We just use different terminology...hahaha.

As far as the show trucks, etc., etc. I get the chance to look in on that with a lot of interest by seeing what's on the forum here and I really enjoy it. I already have what I want so I don't have to deal much in the way of envy or criticism. My trucks are cool as they sit and will most likely get even better with time, and I feel lucky to have them. And glad to have a place to talk to others that feel the same way.

Yeah, I guess my terminology could be confused by a plumber and he would be severely offended. Say no to plumber's crack!

I am with you on the rest. I guess I am just bored of all the gingerbread cookie cutter show trucks... I suppose its no different than any other niche community. I am not a ford fan but, there are some pretty sick old school fords coming out lately and SBS's Indy truck is beautiful- I LOVE the wheels they made for it!

I think I am going to build another minitruck next... I want to bring back the mini truck aka boom trucks! I grew up in Florida and in the early 90s that is what it was all about. I had three slammed B2200s! Then, I can use my C10 to tow my mini to shows.

I gotta say though... I am loving the trucks in this thread so far... some damn nice daily drivers and hardworking trucks! Keep them coming.

[Ratman74]

I enjoy this site and talking to like-minded folks. I have owned my '78 for 30 years, it was only 10 years old when my dad helped me buy it from the original owner. My dad used it as our roofing truck for 2 years and then it became mine. So 28 years later and it is still my daily driver. I have driven her coast to coast in the Air Force and have hauled everything from trash to a '56 GMC with her. I agree with you, I like finding new things to do to her as time goes on. When I get home I will upload a pic or two.

Keep on truckin'

[KDO]

My "weekend driver" due to having a company daily driver. I want to keep the aged look of my 86. I'm the third owner, and simply catching up on deferred maintenance. My only upgrade will be updating to a 4 speed manual and/or just going to a Hurst floor shifter due to worn out column shifter.

[SCOTI]

I drove my 68 daily for years until it got side-swiped & insurance totaled it. The check paid for my 74 which I then drove daily for 10yrs until I traded it for my dually.

My dually was a daily driver until the upgrades. It seems now that it's just to risky to drive it daily. Insurance won't cover it for it's value under those circumstances & thieves love older iron. I drive it when I want & can keep it in sight. My 64 will be the same once it pounds the streets.....

[roastmaster]

I drive my blazer every day as my daily to school and other places. It will be changed out later since the motor is getting tired but ill deal with that problem when it comes.