1970 GMC K1500 Custom

Description

You see a lot of Chevy pickups of this vintage running around, but not many GMCs, and while they share a family resemblance, this handsome 1970 GMC K1500 pickup stands out at family reunions. Thanks to a smart-running small block V8, a towering off-road suspension, and a unique patina look, it's the gentleman's alternative to the Bowtie.

The blue paint is subtle, but with the big wheels and tall stance, this truck is definitely going to get noticed. These trucks are quite popular today, and it's easy to see why, and if you're not a Chevy guy but like the way it looks, then perhaps this GMC is a good fit. The bodywork is quite good, with super straight bed sides and good gaps all around. ON the flip side, the paint is heavily oxidized, and that's fully intentional, so it's up to you whether you think it's a demerit. We like the patina and it shows that this truck has never been wrecked or rusty, plus it has minimal maintenance requirements. The bed is beat up and ready to work, and it works with the patina look. Nice chrome bumpers, including a new diamond plate unit out back, plus twin mirrors, Custom trim, and a minimum of fussiness give it a neat contrast, suggesting that this GMC is capable of doing more than just hauling your gear.

Buying this 1500 gets you some upgraded upholstery inside your new GMC pickup, which amounts to a beautifully tailored bench seat that's far more comfortable than the original park bench. It's all in excellent shape, with heavy-duty rubber mats to help control noise and heat and a set of cloth door panels that were an upgrade over the usual all-metal echo chambers. Yes, there's more patina here, but it doesn't take away from the overall usefulness of the truck. The gauges are a little faded but the faces of the instruments still look crisp and clear. You'll also note that this is a factory A/C truck, although most of the hardware has been removed (it would be easy to retrofit a Vintage Air setup). And while some may think the lack of a radio is a demerit, I prefer to look at it as an opportunity to install whatever you'd like rather than living with some outdated tune box installed decades ago. This truck is worth it.

A smooth-running 350 cubic inch V8 was stuffed under the hood about 100 miles ago, and in this burly pickup it makes for entertaining performance. Topped by a Holley 4-barrel carb and with a mild camshaft inside, it has a great eight-cylinder burble and there's a bunch of Chevy Orange paint to really dress it up. The rest of the engine bay is all business, but service access is good and thanks to power steering and brakes, this truck is a pleasure to drive around town. The transmission is a 4-speed manual that powers a 2-speed transfer case and axles from an '86 model with relatively tall gears, so highway cruising is relaxed and easy but it'll still crawl through the dirt with the best of them. The chassis is mostly original and in good condition with the exhaust system tucked up close to the frame. The suspension was fitted with upgraded shocks all around, plus a modest lift, giving it a heavy-duty look and improved off-road abilities without losing its carrying capacity. Factory Rally wheels are fitted with big 33x12.50-15 off-road tires for the perfect look.

So if you're seeking something that's not a Chevy and maybe has a bit of a story to go with its functionality, this GMC should fit the bill. Call today!