1965 Chevrolet C10 4X4

Description

Cool classic trucks like this 1965 Chevrolet C10 4x4 make for ideal hobby vehicles. With a late-model chassis underneath and old-school looks on top, it does everything you want an old truck to do but with a lot fewer hassles. The fact that it looks great and runs like the factory built it this way are merely icing on the cake.

If you have a stepside C10 from the '60s, you'll probably be shocked to learn that it's such a neat fit on an '80s K10 chassis, but here's the proof. At a glance, it looks like the factory built it, and that's purely intentional. They kept all the bodywork stock to give it that 1965 look, complete with the period-perfect two-tone paint job in seafoam green and white. The dramatically styled Chevy C10 pickups were some of the most handsome on the road back then and if you want attention, this truck will definitely deliver. The bodywork is nicely done, but not so perfect as to erase the fact that this is still a truck that's willing to work. Gaps are about the way the factory would have done things and the paint has a soft shine that's quite appropriate and would really wake up with a buff job. The stepside bed gives it a muscular look and the cab has that small winglet up top; I don't know what it is supposed to do, but it sure looks cool. Add in some recently re-chromed bumpers, a factory grille, and a new wood bed that's nice but not too nice to haul stuff, and you get a truck that does everything well.

The interior is still basic, but the upgrades are visible throughout. The black bench seat has cloth inserts to make it more comfortable on long hauls and the tilt steering column is obviously a perk of using a late-model chassis. On the other hand, the original gauges behind a single plate of Plexiglas remain fully functional monitoring the later engine. The original AM radio is in the dash, but a cool cruiser like this probably deserves an upgrade and the floor-mounted shifter for the 2-speed transfer case looks like it was born there. Black carpets on the floor help control noise and heat better than you'd expect in a vintage pickup, but we'll admit that it's still pretty Spartan. But that's the look and it works really well.

The late-model chassis is from an '80s K10 pickup, and that included a great-running 350 cubic inch V8. Not dramatically modified, it sports a 4-barrel carburetor on an aluminum intake manifold, but they were careful to keep it closer to its production roots rather than choosing a lot of modifications. Finned valve covers and Chevy Orange paint brighten things up in a good way, and you'll note there's a big aluminum radiator up front to keep things nice and cool. The late-model swap also includes power steering and power front disc brakes, both welcome safety upgrades. For cruising, there's a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and the burbling dual exhaust sounds suitably throaty. Newer shocks and mono-leaf front springs tame the ride quality to make this truck a pleasure to drive and the late-model Rally wheels and big 32x11.50-15 off-road radials look exactly right.

A cool old pickup with a bit of a modern flair makes for a very usable package. Drive it, show it, take it to work, there's nothing this truck doesn't do well. Call today!