Billed as “The New Reliables,” Chevrolet’s extensive lineup of trucks for ’63 included 178 models. This 1963 Chevrolet K-10 1/2-ton four-wheel-drive model gained some 3/4-ton K-20 features later in life, including some gnarly 19.5 inch wheels with NOS tires. If this burly old-school pickup from Paradise, California is calling your name, take a virtual walk to the listing here on eBay where bidding has eclipsed $8500 without meeting the seller’s reserve.
The vintage aluminum top comes with the sale, so whatever you throw in back remains your business. Truck geeks should check out the 1963 2WD Truck Brochure and Engineering Guide at GMHeritage.com.
As was somewhat common in the Kennedy era, the original upholstery and visors were entombed in protective vinyl. What looks like shiny original paint can be observed behind the red-trimmed bench.
Squint and you might see a touch of Corvette styling in the dual-binnacle dash. Like any respectable work truck, this one features a bench seat and manual floor-shifted transmission. The latter recalls a day I transported two female co-workers in my floor-shifted F250 and awkwardly apologized after engaging reverse brought my hand to a location normally reserved for the second or third date.
Look at that poppin’ fresh paint! The listing identifies the engine only as a V8, but maybe our eagle-eyed readers can provide more details in the comments below. After installing a host of replacement parts, the seller states that this truck “runs and drives like one would expect a 1963 4×4 would,” presumably quite different from a Honda Ridgeline. Similarly anyone driving this rig must understand that it lacks any technology to help you avoid slamming into stopped vehicles on the road ahead. What’s your best guess for the high bid on this low-tech brute?
Just add radio, drive and enjoy. Now
that’s the kind of work truck I like!
Dad drove one when I was younger,
but it was 2wd and not as cool as
this! Topper looks good too. I would
love to own it but lack of funds won’t
permit it. Time to wipe the drool off
off my chin, take a nap, and dream.
That’s a cool truck. would use as is. I’m a Ford guy but I love chevy trucks, Good luck to the new owner!
Wish Chevy Ford and Dodge still sold these simple machines. They made America. Would love to have this one and I’m not a Chevy fan. Tough as nails and just as reliable. Some one should be all over this 4×4
that’s the gas tank behind the seat
I love old 4×4’s no matter the manufacture, I would lose the camper shell ( no use for it hauling tall items ) and the bubble wrap seat cover then drive it as intended as a work truck.
It’s a cool truck, but someone would need to ask some more questions before spending their hard earned money.
When was the running gear converted from 1/2 tin to 3/4, what exactly does “era correct parts” mean and what was the donor vehicle. Chasing parts for for vehicles with unknown upgrades can quickly be an exercise in futility.
The engine has a long water pump, so it’s likely late model. There is no mention of it being rebuilt, only that it has a new carb. Could it be a spray painted 307 or 305? Neither of which would add much to the value of the truck. It’s also hard to believe the cloth interior would survive 50+ years of sitting in the sun without fading or degrading like the exterior finish.
Even with those questions, it seems like a decent value at its current high bid but might not be when/if it clears the sellers reserve.
Steve R
Love the truck, but that topper’s gotta go😕
As Steve R. mentioned the engine is almost certainly a later model of who knows what displacement or year. Valve covers were stamped with Chevrolet through ’66, the oil fill tube was on the front of the intake manifold through ’68, and the wrap over alternator bracket was first used in ’73. But even with the unknown engine and drive train still a cool truck.
I saw at first glance that this was a 3/4 ton. Then I saw the ‘20’ on the side and that confirmed it. I might add that those 17 inch wheels are a dead giveaway. The only V8 it could have in ‘63 was a 283, w/2bbl. I’m sure this one is a 350-4bbl. which should offer a significant performance improvement. I love this truck although if it made it to my place it would receive a significant freshening up. And those tacky 17 inch wheels would have to go…
I pity the fool that tries to use this as their daily driver. Again, growing up in the midwest, we NEVER saw 4×4 trucks like this, except maybe at the power company or railroad. These were meant to go 7 mph in 4 Low, down power line paths, not the interstate, or any highway, for that matter. It’s going to ride extremely rough, wander like an old fart at a flea market, and a big bump, at speed, will send you into another lane. Brakes? Lot of mass for those drums. Great trucks, but many times, people want to make something out of these old trucks that they are not.
Howard, back in the day, in ranching country, they were used for daily transportation, transportation to the school dance, the drive-in, or even church. People had no qualms about taking them on the highway. They had a wider cab and a better heater than the Jeep pickup. And usually more power. Yes they were rough. I’ve still got the dent in my skull where my head contacted the door jamb in the ’73 Dodge W300–almost knocked me out cold, and I was driving it down the freeway at the time.
When I was a kid, a buddy’s dad had a ’62 Chevy C20 4×4 on his wheat farm here in Washington state. It was a six-cylinder and had a Farm Exempt sticker in the windshield, which meant he couldn’t drive it to town. He used it to haul diesel out to his D5 Cat or his combine in the field. I thought it was a really cool truck, and I was determined to get one when I was old enough to drive. Never got one. The closest I got to one was a ’61 Apache 10. It had the same steering wheel this one has.
10 G’s and reserve not met?
Ridiculous.
For the kind of overpriced money that this thing is gonna bring, I would much rather have a decent Power Wagon.
Dad had one of these in2wd camper special , v8 ? p/s p/b A/t one tough truck , did not ride like the new F150s do , but was dependable ,and tough
This is 10 years older than me and i bet looks better too. Nice truck but the price is already getting too steep and you still got lots to do before it can be called a dependable daily driver .
“What’s your best guess for the high bid on this low-tech brute?”
I’ll place the over-under at $16,000. I’ll reluctantly take the under at ~$14,500. I’m thinking old chevy trucks are on a bubble (right?), folks love the patina, it’s a K-10 and this one has nice “curb appeal” with the pizza-cutter tires.
Regardless of the outcome, I am stoked to see interest in such trucks rising. May this one go to a good home and continue churning along for many years.
Dad and Grandpa both had 63 GMC’s dads had the 305E V-6 don’t remember what Grandps had. Learn how to shift gears in those trucks ridding in the middle growing up. Drove dads to high school with the camper on the back neither truck was 4wd but with posi ,V-6 and 4spd you could go about anywhere I know I tried as a teenager. Now a lot older and a little wiser I have a 64 GMC K-20 with the V-6 and 4spd takes a little room to turn it around and you have to stay on your toes when it comes to stopping the beast but then most people keep their distance they don’t want their plastic toy broken
Travels with Charlie.
Quick story about Chevy Apaches. As told by retired chevy dealer from Gallup,NM; Chevy trucks sold very well on the Navajo reservation, so well in fact chevy wanted to honor their indian clients so they came out with the “Apache” line of half ton trucks.
Navajos and all other tribes (exc Apaches) stopped buying the chevys immediately, I suppose Ford had a good year that year. I do not know how long the Apache model existed, my guess is one year.
Four years. 1958 through 1961. They were very popular trucks. I had a 1961 Apache 10 fleetside.
Chicks dig em’
Mix in a lab puppy, and you are set. :)