1988 Chevrolet C/K 1500 Reg. Cab 6.5-ft. bed 2WD

1988 Chevrolet C1500 Regular Cab Short Bed
Private Collection | Display-Only | Not For Sale

• First Model Year of Chevrolet's GMT400 Pickup Platform
• Regular Cab / Short Bed Configuration
• New Silver Repaint w/ Black Racing Stripes
• 350 cu. in. Small-Block Chevrolet V8 Engine
• Engine Reportedly Sourced from a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette
• Hydraulic Valve Lifters
• Edelbrock 4-Barrel Carburetor
• Spectre Performance Dual Intake Plenum
• Dual Red Pleated Cone Air Filters
• Cowl-Induction Hood
• Turbo-Hydramatic 400 Automatic Transmission
• Rear-Wheel Drive
• Powder-Coated 15" Alloy Wheels
• Roll Pan Rear Bumper
• Air Conditioning
• Power Windows & Door Locks
• Cloth Bench Seat
• Sliding Rear Window
• Sony DSX-S300BTX Digital Media Receiver w/ Bluetooth
• Pioneer GM-D8601 Class-D Mono Amplifier
• BOSS Audio Phantom Series Subwoofer
• Aftermarket Tachometer
• Auxiliary Coolant Temperature, Battery Voltage & Oil Pressure Gauges
• Spray-In Bedliner
• Ceramic Window Tint

The 1988 Chevrolet C1500 is a full-size, half-ton pickup truck introduced as part of General Motors' new GMT400 platform. Replacing the long-running Rounded Line series, commonly known as the Square Body, the GMT400 featured a more aerodynamic exterior, a redesigned chassis, and a revised interior with improved ergonomics and passenger accommodations. The new platform retained traditional body-on-frame construction and was offered in several cab, bed, and drivetrain configurations. This example features the regular-cab, short-bed body style with rear-wheel drive.

The GMT400 represented a significant departure from the styling and engineering of Chevrolet's previous full-size pickups. Its exterior featured flush-mounted glass, a more steeply raked windshield, and smoother body contours intended to reduce aerodynamic drag. The redesigned chassis incorporated an independent front suspension on two-wheel-drive models, replacing the previous generation's front coil-spring and control-arm arrangement with an updated configuration. Chevrolet offered the C1500 with several gasoline engines, including V6 and small-block V8 options, while the regular-cab, short-bed configuration utilized a wheelbase of approximately 117.5 inches.

This C1500 is equipped with a 5.7-liter (350-cubic-inch) Chevrolet small-block V8 reportedly sourced from a 1971 Chevrolet Corvette. The engine features hydraulic valve lifters and an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, replacing the throttle-body fuel injection originally used on 1988 C1500 V8 models. Hydraulic lifters use engine oil pressure to maintain valve-train clearance, eliminating the periodic manual lash adjustments associated with solid-lifter configurations. The Edelbrock carburetor supplies fuel through four throttle bores and is fitted with a Spectre Performance Dual Intake Plenum, consisting of a polished aluminum cross-tube connected to two red pleated cone air filters positioned on opposite sides of the engine compartment. The intake assembly sits above the carburetor beneath the truck's cowl-induction hood.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission. Introduced by General Motors in 1964, the TH400 is a hydraulically controlled automatic transmission employing a torque converter and planetary gearsets. It was used extensively in General Motors passenger cars, trucks, and high-displacement performance applications throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The transmission is a departure from the automatic transmission originally offered in the 1988 C1500 and forms part of the truck's modified drivetrain.

The exterior has received a new silver repaint accented by black racing stripes extending across the hood and body. The truck features a raised cowl-induction hood, powder-coated 15-inch alloy wheels, and a roll pan rear bumper, which replaces the conventional protruding rear bumper with a smooth panel integrated into the lower rear bodywork. Additional modifications include a spray-in bedliner covering the cargo bed and ceramic window tint. The truck retains the regular-cab, short-bed proportions and body design characteristic of the early GMT400 models.

The interior retains the original GMT400 dashboard layout and features a cloth bench seat, air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, and a sliding rear window. Additional instrumentation includes an aftermarket tachometer and three auxiliary gauges monitoring coolant temperature, battery voltage, and engine oil pressure. These gauges supplement the factory instrument cluster and provide additional operating information for the modified V8 engine.

The aftermarket audio system consists of a Sony DSX-S300BTX digital media receiver with Bluetooth connectivity, a Pioneer Champion Series GM-D8601 Class-D mono amplifier, and a BOSS Audio Phantom Series subwoofer. The Sony receiver provides wireless audio streaming and hands-free calling functionality, while the Pioneer amplifier supplies dedicated amplification for the subwoofer. The GM-D8601 is a mono amplifier designed for low-frequency reproduction, with a maximum rated continuous output of 800 watts RMS at a 1-ohm load.

As a first-model-year GMT400 pickup, this 1988 Chevrolet C1500 represents the beginning of a Chevrolet truck platform that remained in production in various configurations throughout the 1990s. This example combines the original regular-cab, short-bed body style with a reportedly Corvette-sourced 350-cubic-inch small-block V8, Edelbrock carburetion, a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 transmission, and a Spectre Performance dual-intake assembly. Its additional modifications include the silver-and-black exterior finish, cowl-induction hood, powder-coated wheels, roll pan rear bumper, auxiliary instrumentation, and aftermarket audio equipment.

PRIVATE COLLECTION | DISPLAY-ONLY | NOT FOR SALE

This vehicle is part of the Regal Motors private collection and is displayed for automotive appreciation and historical interest. It is not currently offered for sale.

For additional information about our collection and available inventory, visit www.regalmotorshouma.com or call 985-873-8180.