1965 Chevrolet C10

Description

Color can make a big difference on any vehicle, and even a relatively stock truck like this 1965 Chevrolet C10 pickup, the vivid orange finish gives it a slick, modern look. Combined with a smooth-running small block and an overdrive transmission, it's also a fantastic cruiser that gets all the little stuff right.

Putting an obviously modern paint on a vintage vehicle is always a gamble, but the way this truck turned out made it worth the risk. Starting with a super-clean stepside, they stripped it and rebuilt the finish from there. Using modern 2-stage urethane gave them the ability to create something that grabs your attention, with a subtle inner glow that makes this pickup stand out at shows. Fit and finish are quite good, with doors that open and close without a slam and crisp details that prove the guys doing the work were careful. Nothing's been chopped, shaved, or smoothed, so it keeps all the neat stuff that makes these trucks popular, including the chrome-ringed parking lights in the hood and the "floating" grille below. A black "stinger" on the hood gives it a bit of an aggressive look and fresh chrome bumpers make it sparkle. The bed looks a bit weathered, but that's purely intentional, offering a wonderful contrast between the shiny paint and the truck's working-class origins.

Two-tone black and orange upholstery gives it a custom look without being overdone. The original bench seat wears a custom-made cover that fits well and offers long-haul comfort. There are still rubber floor mats for easy maintenance and metal door panels, but that's how these trucks came. The chrome tilt column and sporty 3-spoke steering wheel are nice upgrades, as are the under-dash A/C system and AM/FM/cassette stereo, so this is a truck that can truly be driven cross-country. The original gauges still live behind that printed panel and there's an aftermarket tach mounted down low to keep an eye on things under the hood. You'll note that it just loafs along on the highway thanks to a 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission and the dash is as nicely finished as the rest of the bodywork.

The engine is a torquey 350 cubic inch V8 that looks right at home in the vast engine bay. You know the paint job was thorough, since every square inch of the under-hood area is awash in the same copper finish. A few chrome dress-up items add some sparkle and the Edelbrock carburetor helps build horsepower. The radiator is positively massive, suitable for an engine twice this size, and the upgraded power brake system features discs up front for improved stopping power. The chassis features an independent front end with power rack-and-pinion steering, so the handling is less truck-like, and the Flowmaster exhaust system tucks up into the frame to give it plenty of ground clearance. There's still a heavy-duty rear end hanging on the original suspension, so it's ready, willing, and able to work if that's what you need, and rides on shiny 16-inch alloys with 225/60/16 front and 235/60/16 rear General radials.

This very clean truck still works as a truck, retains all that made them best-sellers when they were new, yet brings it up to date so it's eminently usable in today's traffic. What could be better? Call today!