1986 Chevrolet C/K 10 Series

The C/K 10 is Chevrolet’s half-ton pickup, the workhorse of the 1980s that also pulled daily-driver duty. It steers through a recirculating-ball box with plenty of play, so you keep both hands on the wheel and drive ahead of the truck. Leaf springs in back and a solid front axle make the ride choppy when empty, but it settles down with a load in the bed. You get a roomy three-seat bench and a real truck bed: the standard 6.5-foot, or an 8-footer on long-wheelbase models. The C/K 10 with the optional 5.0L V8 is the mid-range half-ton, stepping up from the base six-cylinder for more towing and passing power without jumping to the big-block. The 5.0L V8 and automatic transmission make for relaxed cruising and enough grunt to haul a trailer or loaded bed, though it's no drag racer. This two-door regular cab keeps the full 6.5-foot bed standard, so you're trading back-seat room for maximum cargo length.