All-Original 1974 Chevy C10 Is a Classic Time-Warp
We're not certain exactly who or what started the long-running Chevrolet C10 pickup craze (it very well could have been Truckin', or any one of MotorTrend's former truck-enthusiast magazines), but there's no arguing the fact that today these trucks, produced from 1960 to 1987, are timeless.
The latest cool Chevy C10 being brokered at Mecum Auctions' Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, event (and there are several) is this model, slated to cross the block on Saturday, July 30, 2022. Actually, Lot #S123 is beyond being simply cool because, as a 1974, it's an early pioneer of the "Squarebody" era (1973 to 1987), examples of which are today the most coveted C10s of the entire run, in any condition (kind of like an old Mopar muscle car).
What you're looking at in these photos is a true survivor; a Custom 10 that somehow has escaped the perils of dilapidation and destruction, as well as the clutches of "builders," customizers, hot-rodders, and modifiers (for now). This Chevy squarebody is 100-percent original, from its Grecian Bronze paint to the Uniroyal tires it was delivered on in 1974. The truck was purchased by a Minnesota farmer who reportedly owned it for a few years, only using it to attend church services on Sundays.
Let's get to the images of this timeless classic, which certainly could sell for a king's ransom based on its perfectly preserved condition, highlighted by only 723 original miles. As classic Chevy C10s go, the big question is whether the winning bidder will keep this rig "as is" for a continued eternity, or if it is destined for full customization, and eventually possible resale at a future Mecum auction.
Tune in to MotorTrend's exclusive coverage of Mecum's Harrisburg auction. Broadcasts start July 28 at 6:00 p.m on MotorTrend+ and MotorTrend TV.
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toyota tundra Full OverviewProsModern technologyStandard V-6 twin-turbo engineSpacious, comfortable cabin ConsMiddling material qualityBouncy ride with Bilstein shocksIt took Toyota 14 years to come up with a new Tundra full-size pickup truck, but the wait was worth it. The model has always been known for its value in the segment, and the new model builds on that. The 2022 Toyota Tundra rides on a new platform, boasts dramatic new styling, and has modern technology relevant to today's buyers.Available with new gas-only and hybrid powertrains—both of which are based on a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6—the Tundra finally feels like a contemporary truck. It seemingly has the brash looks, features, capability, and assembly quality modern trucks need, but can it hang with the big (three) boys? Is it comparable to an American truck? We drove a Limited model with the Crewmax cab and regular, non-hybrid V-6 to find out.On the RoadThe Tundra is based on the all-new TNGA GA-F platform that also supports the Land Cruiser overseas and the 2022 Lexus LX here in the States, allowing it to deliver a better ride while enhancing its off-road capability. To address the former, though, Toyota ditched the rear leaf springs for coil or air springs, depending on the configuration.Our model came equipped with the TRD Off-Road package, which adds Bilstein shocks to better handle what Mother Earth tosses in your path. On the road, Tundra's ride quality represents a night-and-day difference from before, and it feels more stable and planted overall, including while handling tighter turns. It doesn't feel as polished as a Ram 1500 (which also uses coil springs), but it feels more settled than before. The Bilstein shocks add a bit of a bouncy feel over imperfections, but we're quite impressed by the new Tundra's comportment. The steering isn't as precise as the best domestic American trucks', but it's nicely weighted and not sloppy, which makes highway drives a snap.Also impressive is that 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6, which delivers 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, enough to scoot this big boy to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds in our testing. Crossing the quarter-mile mark took the Tundra 14.7 seconds, at which point it was going 95.3 mph, a decent showing considering its 5,820-pound curb weight.Compared to a 2021 Ford F-150 XLT with the 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 engine, the Tundra is slower: The F-150 got to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, and it completed the quarter-mile run in 13.9 seconds at 99.9 mph. The biggest difference between these two is the weight—the Ford's aluminum chassis cuts its weight down to 5,345 pounds, giving it an advantage at the track.The Tundra's transmission is programmed well, downshifting crisply when called upon, and upshifts are executed smoothly. While the engine feels well suited for the Tundra in terms of power and punchiness, it tends to deliver its force in gobs. On a couple of occasions, the rear wheels broke loose when accelerating from a stop even though the pedal was nowhere close to the floor; we wish the delivery was a bit more linear. But the power-to-weight ratio feels adequate for a big truck like this, and depending on which drive mode is activated, there's a growl almost as pleasing as the old V-8's.It was clear Toyota needed to modernize the Tundra to keep up with the segment, and the 2022 model is a big advancement. The Tundra feels more modern than before and puts up a good fight against the big three. It may not ride as well as the Ram (we aim to test a Toyota without the Bilsteins soon), but it's certainly relevant again, and worthy of cross-shopping if you're not beholden to a brand.Inside the Tundra's InteriorWhile the Limited trim sits at the middle of the lineup, it still feels richly appointed in terms of features. Enter the cabin, and you'll first notice the massive, 14.0-inch touchscreen that takes up virtually all the space in the middle of the dash. The screen comes standard with the Limited, and the new infotainment system has sharp graphics and the fast responses you're used to from your smartphone. We spent most of our time driving with Apple CarPlay active, and we applaud Toyota for allowing it to take over the entire screen, which makes Google Maps or Apple Maps really simple to read.The HVAC controls are laid out below the display as sort of piano keys—a nice detail that looks premium. While the cabin isn't as attractive to our eyes as, say, the Ram's, Toyota's designers did add characterful touches like the big, boxy air vents, and the center stack offers useful cubbies so you can stash stuff while leaving the cupholders free. A huge bin between the front seats can store large items like purses, laptops, and such. In general, storage space is plentiful.An area where we'd have liked to see additional improvement is in the quality of materials. The plastics on the door panels already feel dated, as they are hard and cheap. Some plastics have sharp edges, too. On the other hand, the leatherette on the seats feels nice enough for something carrying a $60,188 price tag.The rear accommodations are quite spacious, with the seatback reclined at an angle that should make long trips easier for passengers. Those seated back there also get two USB ports (one type A, one type C) and air vents, but we're a bit surprised to see a significant drivetrain bump in the floor. While it may not interfere with middle riders' feet because it's wide, it does make placing long items on the floor inconvenient. Should I Buy a New Tundra?The 2022 Toyota Tundra offers a better, up-to-date experience, and it does a lot of things well—well enough to, yes, deserve a seat at the big boy table. There are areas that can still be improved, but the thorough overhaul resulted in a much better truck. Plus, its long list of standard equipment—like the 3.4-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which adds a bunch of safety technologies at no extra cost—gives it an advantage over the competition.It's unlikely to outsell any of the full-size half-ton trucks from Detroit, but the 2022 Tundra deserves a look.Looks good! More details?2022 Toyota Tundra Limited TRD Off-Road 4x4 Specifications BASE PRICE $56,680 PRICE AS TESTED $60,188 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door truck ENGINE 3.4L Twin-turbo port- and direct-injected DOHC 24-valve 60-degree V-6 POWER (SAE NET) 389 hp @ 5,200 rpm TORQUE (SAE NET) 479 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm TRANSMISSION 10-speed automatic CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 5,820 lb (57/43%) WHEELBASE 145.7 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 233.6 x 80.2 x 78.0 in 0-60 MPH 6.2 sec QUARTER MILE 14.7 sec @ 95.3 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 135 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.72 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 28.5 sec @ 0.59 g (avg) EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 17/22/19 mpg EPA RANGE, COMB 612 mi ON SALE Now Show All
We've talked quite a lot about the mid-engine C8 Corvette, even going so far as to name it our 2020 Car of the Year. We have lots of stories you can read about how it drives around town, on back roads, and on racetracks. The whole point of having a long-term 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 test vehicle, though, is to tell you what it's like living with the car day in and day out.After 10 months of "ownership," we've put together a list of the top six little details about the Corvette we think are great, the six that drive us crazy, and the six that are worth mentioning but aren't good or bad enough to make the other lists. Here are the good, the bad, and the whatevers of the C8 Corvette.
Going on its fourth year of this third generation, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will lose its available V-6 diesel engine while gaining full-time all-wheel drive and retaining the versatility it's long been known for. While the U.S. won't see the updated van until "early next year (2023)," all of them, regardless of which engine is specified, will use a new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission.No More Turbodiesel V-6Prior to its 2023 version, the Sprinter could be had with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 gasoline engine, a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6, and a 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4. The diesel V-6 has been dropped and a new turbodiesel I-4 is getting installed known as the OM654. This new I-4 turbodiesel will come in two power output ratings—168 hp and 208 hp—while providing "smoother acceleration, high torque values, decreased emissions and lower noise and vibration levels." The gasoline-burning 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 remains the same as 2022.Two More GearsMultiplying those torque levels behind both gas and diesel engines is the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. When Mercedes compares it to the outgoing seven-speed 7G-Tronic, it claims the 9G offers quicker take-off and improved performance thanks to its shorter first-gear ratio and two more additional gears for a much greater gear ratio spread. The latter point seems rather obvious to point out but the former is important when you consider that the 2023 Sprinter now only offers four cylinder engines.AWD for 4WDThe final big change for 2023 is the move away from a selectable 4WD system to an automatic, full-time all-wheel drive setup, bringing the versatile van into the modern age of electronically controlled wheel torque distribution. Rather than having to select four-wheel drive (as before) via a part-time system like in rugged SUVs, the 2023 Sprinter equipped with four driven wheels will automatically detect wheel slip and apply up to a 50 percent torque split between the front and rear axles, like in most crossovers and cars. The selectable four-wheel-drive system of yore only allowed for up to a 35/65 split when it was in 4WD mode. While it loses a selectable 4WD, the AWD Sprinter will still retain the off-road prowess the 2022 model had in terms of its ground clearance (8.0 inches) in addition to its approach (26 degrees), breakover (23 degrees), and departure (25 degrees) angles.Same VersatilityThe other important factor of the Sprinter is its ease of being as capable inside as it is outside. This is especially true for its commercial users thanks to the Sprinter's streamlined packaging structure. With enough ingenuity and imagination, you can make the Mercedes van into anything from a perfect parcel delivery machine to a shuttle to ferry people across town to a rugged "van life"-styled overlander and everything in between. While no pricing has been announced yet, Mercedes does promise that the 2023 Sprinter will drop some time early in 2023.
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