Living With The Utilitarian Chevy S 10

Living with the utilitarian Chevy S 10 has been a fact of life since its introduction in 1981 as a 1982 model. This compact pickup lasted as the top small truck in Chevy's stable of vehicles for 22 years until it was replaced for 2004 by the Chevy Colorado. Today, there are still countless numbers of the little truck on America's highways and byways.

Categorized as a compact truck, the S 10 also ran for a time in the General Motors stable as the GMC S 15, though that model eventually became the Cyclone. Chevy's model was a replacement for the Luv, which had seen service since the early 1970s and was a rebadged Isuzu KB. The Arab oil embargo pointed out the need for small, fuel-sipping vehicles and Chevy make a concerted effort at delivering them.

The S 10 emerged as a result of that effort, making its debut in 1981 as a 1982 model. What was really great about the S 10 was that it also came as a sport-utility vehicle (SUV), appearing as the S 10 Blazer in 1983. That particular model was a 2-door version, beating Ford to the SUV market and lagging just behind Jeep, though no manufacturer thought to add 4-door models until 1990.

General Motors, the parent of Chevrolet, began to put out a number of small trucks and SUVs beginning in 1982. The S 10 itself was a well-liked and mechanically proficient model for well over 25 years, and for a time was a favorite of backyard do-it-yourself wrench types due to its relatively straightforward engine/transmission setup.

Given the initial desire by Chevy to feature what passed for good fuel economy in those days, the debut S 10 featured a standard 4 cylinder powerplant, which was an Isuzu carryover engine from the old Chevy Luv. It kicked out 84 ponies which, by today's standards of power and economy, would be considered anemic but which was actually fairly good in 1982. It also offered 101 pounds-feet of torque.

The optional engine from the S 10's debut up through 1985 was the a 2. 4 liter V6 with a Rochester 2-barrel carburetor that upped horsepower to 115 ponies and 148 pounds-feet of torque, which added a bit of 'oomph' to the package. For a short time (1983 - 1985) Chevy offered a diesel engine, with a whopping 58 horses and 98 pounds-feet, but it died for lack of interest.

Engine choices throughout the years featured 4 and 6-cylinder versions, and horsepower, torque and fuel efficiency improved with the addition of different fuel injection packages, including throttle body, sequential port and multi-port injection set-ups. The first generation Chevy S 10 - which ran from its introduction up through the 1993 model year - featured 3 and 4-speed automatics and an eventual 5-speed Borg-Warner manual.

Chevy delivered the second generation of S 10, which ran from 1994 to 2004. It continued to add to the fun and utility factor, with more 2 and 4-wheel drive offerings from which to choose. All were larger and more powerful, with an SS variant that served ably (though sold poorly) until 1998. Featuring 16-inch rims, bodyside cladding and other tricked-out options, it had an engine that put out from 180 to 195 horses.

The Chevy S 10 is still a ubiquitous sight on the roads, highways and trails of North America. It was an extremely popular little truck, and came to be thought of as a vital part of Chevy's effort to bring reliability and economy to the truck segment in the company's lineup. As a chord in the Chevy 'Heartbeat of America' theme's music, it played its role well.

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