Students Restore 1972 Chevrolet C/10

Rebuilt from the Ground Up

The restoration of the 1972 Chevrolet C/10 pickup by students in the Auto Collision Technologies program at Hawkeye Community College began as a hands-on learning project in 2022.

Terry Van Dyke, who leads the Auto Collision Technologies program, found the truck for sale in Sioux City, Iowa, in 2020. It had one previous owner and 76,000 miles. After arranging for its purchase, he hauled the beat-up old pickup back to Hawkeye's campus, where it sat under a tarp until restoration began in earnest in the fall of 2022.

At the start of the project, the truck was named INTENSE, playing on the truck build (C/10) and the understanding that it would be a lot of work to complete. Students took apart the entire vehicle, down to the frame, learning how to clean, fix, and restore each part.

"Taking something this complex apart is an excellent teaching tool," explained Van Dyke. "Many students never get the chance to completely disassemble a vehicle. Fighting through corroded components and stubborn fasteners while maintaining the parts needed to get the truck back together takes good organization and problem solving."

Students did metalwork, body repairs, and painting. They used modern techniques, like epoxy coating, to protect the truck from rust. The project helped students develop teamwork, critical thinking skills, and an attention to detail. Watching the truck come back to life gave them pride in their work.

"I'd say this has been my overall favorite project because of all the hands-on activity," said Mondo Stanberry, who was among more than a dozen students who worked on the C/10.

The restored truck debuted at the GoodGuys 33rd Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals held July 5–7, 2024, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

"The students really took a lot of pride in their craftsmanship and the skills that they learned in the program," Van Dyke said. "It was a really big deal for the students to be able to unveil their skills on the truck."

An appraisal by Vintage Valuation Services put the restored truck's value at $150,000. The C/10 will eventually be auctioned off, with money going toward scholarships for the Auto Collision Technologies program.

Van Dyke and a new crop of students are now gearing up for their next custom build: a 1986 Chevrolet pickup.

Learn more about the Auto Collision Technologies program