One of the things you’ll read a lot about when it comes to classic General Motors vehicle documentation is a “Protect-O-Plate.” This credit card-sized embossed identification tag comes with some important data including the original owner’s name, the selling dealer, and the vehicle’s build information.
Occasionally, a collector car comes up for sale that retains its original Protect-O-Plate.
The Pick of the Day is a 1970 Chevrolet C10 pickup listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Hudson, Massachusetts.
“This rare and highly optioned CST-10 has originally spent its life in Alabama and is very solid,” the listing states. “This southern truck still retains original paint and has the patina look.”
Based on the documentation that comes with the vehicle, it was first sold from Ed Mollison Chevrolet in Birmingham, Alabama. The maintenance folio shares the dealership’s motto as, “We’re not the biggest, but we’re trying to be the best.” Protect-O-Plates were sometimes printed in reverse and were used to imprint the vehicle data and owner information onto the service paperwork.
This truck comes from the second generation of Chevrolet’s C/K series, which was dubbed the “Action Line” and made available in light- and medium-duty variants. During this era, Chevrolet worked to make its pickups more versatile as personal-use vehicles with added comforts and driving dynamics. Clearly, the exterior on this example looks a little tired, but that’s part of the appeal of a period-correct look. The truck has a two-tone finish of Hugger Orange and black. The bed is reportedly free of rust.
Power under the hood comes from a strong-running 350cid 4bbl V8 motor mated to a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. The listing states that the powertrain has been upgraded with stainless-steel long-tube headers, and the photos show Edelbrock chrome-finished valve covers as well.
Protect-O-Plates were short-lived, first offered in 1963 and phased out about a decade later. Most of these have been lost in the shuffle as vehicles have changed hands in the 60 years since that time, so finding a vehicle like this that still has its accompanying badge is becoming a rarity.
“Runs and drives excellent, needs nothing,” the listing concludes. It would be fun to take this truck to a Chevrolet dealership and ask if they can imprint the Protect-O-Plate on a new service appointment.
The seller is asking $17,500 or best offer for this survivor C10.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
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