It is typical that once they have four decades under their belts, classic Pickups will look rough around the edges. Carrying heavy loads and plunging into the wilderness will take its toll, and most are begging for restoration. However, this 1979 GMC K1500 is a very different story. Its presentation is unsurprising, considering it is a low-mileage Californian barn find. Its 4×4 drivetrain combination makes it an ideal off-roader, although the supplied photos suggest it may never have seen a dirt road. The owner feels it needs a new home, listing it exclusively at Barn Finds Auctions.
Some classics possess the “wow” factor, and this Pickup is one such vehicle. The deep and lustrous Black paint gives the vehicle a sense of presence, and I struggle to find any flaws. The seller does claim there are a few imperfections but nothing that would warrant a respray. The panels are laser straight, with the underside shots revealing factory undercoat and no evidence of corrosion. Back in the eighties, a dealer added a 4″ lift kit and larger wheels. They used this Pickup to entice potential buyers into the showroom, adding items like the highly-polished rollbar, canvas bed cover, chrome bed steps, and other cosmetic enhancements to catch the public’s eye. It retains these items and their condition is excellent. It may have served to catch the public’s eye when new, but this Stepside has lost none of that ability over the past forty-four years. A hitch receiver adds some practicality, while the trim and glass are immaculate.
I debated using the word “showroom” to describe this truck’s interior condition because it doesn’t miss by much if it isn’t. Its presentation is as impressive as the exterior, with no evidence of wear or abuse. Considering it spent at least part of its life under the California sun, the lack of UV damage and crumbling plastic suggests it was carefully stored when not plying the roads. The upholstered surfaces feature nothing beyond the wrinkles you might expect from any vehicle that has covered the 16,500 miles shown on the odometer. The carpet is spotless, while the sports gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings. As with the exterior, this Pickup’s interior needs nothing. The new owner receives power windows, a sporty leather-wrapped tilt wheel, a Stowline Truck Caddy storage box behind the seat, and an upgraded stereo.
Although buyers could order a 1979 K1500 with a six-cylinder under the hood, the original dealer opted for the 400ci V8. It feeds the power and torque to the road via a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. With most of the urge delivered low in the engine’s rev range, it should effortlessly forge its way through some harsh terrain with the V8 barely ticking over. It would also put the hitch receiver to good use, easily hauling heavy loads. The owner added a 6″ lift kit and larger tires to improve its off-road potential even more. However, it doesn’t look like anyone has attempted to test those abilities out yet. Apart from the upgrades, the vehicle’s originality is astounding. It supposedly retains its original plugs, plug wires, and hoses. It is a turnkey proposition needing nothing but a new owner.
This short bed Stepside is a stunning vehicle. Its presentation is superb, carrying the hallmarks of a pickup that has been treated respectfully and stored correctly throughout its life. It could tackle harsh terrain with ease courtesy of its mechanical specifications and upgraded suspension and tires. However, the V8 hiding under the hood means it would be equally comfortable sitting on the highway at 70mph. Pickups of this vintage in such good condition rarely appear, making this an automotive unicorn. Could you give this stunning classic truck the new home it’s begging for?
- Location: Sevierville, Tennessee
- Mileage: 16,500 Shown
- Engine: 400ci V8
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
- VIN: TKL149Z526861
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
- Robbyrob bid $23,250.00 2023-07-09 12:58:20
- Rotten Johnny bid $23,000.00 2023-07-09 12:52:36
- Robbyrob bid $22,500.00 2023-07-09 12:47:16
- Zack67 bid $22,250.00 2023-07-09 12:01:18
- Rotten Johnny bid $22,000.00 2023-07-09 11:53:05
- Robbyrob bid $21,500.00 2023-07-09 11:20:42
- Rotten Johnny bid $21,000.00 2023-07-09 10:41:20
- ddh2153 bid $19,750.00 2023-07-08 15:45:34
- Ben Hardy bid $19,250.00 2023-07-02 07:10:28
- ddh2153 bid $19,000.00 2023-07-01 21:52:50
- Ben Hardy bid $18,000.00 2023-07-01 09:51:45
- PAP bid $17,500.00 2023-06-30 19:52:04
- RoadTripRevivals bid $15,000.00 2023-06-30 17:13:57
- peter t bid $10,000.00 2023-06-30 15:52:03
A few bits Under the hood I’ve never seen before.
You could unleash your inner Colt Seavers with this beast. Hmm…..Heather Thomas. Between her and all the crazy truck jumping I thought that was a fantastic show at the time
The most mint lifted square-body I have seen in a LONG time. That interior is unreal.
Wow! This truck has a killer look, and a stick shift as well. Plus the gauge package. It’ll make someone a nice ride.
Y’all know what I’d do with this truck! That’s right- turn it into a fall guy truck.
This is what I would consider a proper truck. Without the lift kit. Add an ubiquitous 4-spoke sport steering wheel, drop the windows and drive off to memory lane.
I friend of mine had a sandbox version of this truck. It had Mickey and the sorcerer decals on the doors and steside fenders.. I can’t find any formation on the sandbox option.
Says A/C—don’t see compressor or vents in dash–deal breaker.
So, if it had air, you’d buy it?
Special order factory truck out of Northern California and no it does not have AC they ordered it without it being from the northern part of
If you need to drive a dirt road to get mail and groceries, great. Gas will go up again, but for someone it will make sense. Nice truck, but I have paved roads for everything I do.
Don’t know where you’re getting to but this truck is never seen anything off road all paved asphalt for 16,000 miles
Spary can black under truck and the master cyl., power brake booster, engine painted as well . mint inside for sure ‘ very likely stored under cover. new lift kit with tires. I bet the gear ratio hasn’t be change .I could go on and on but there is no way this truck is worth the asking price. Rememder these engines are very bad for camshafts. I guess that makes my 69 chev short box 4×4 with A/C with 35 tires , posi track and the right gear ratio, new 383 and so now, worth 150000.00 or more. II’I let it go for 50,000.00 that Canadian dollers. Thats my opinon for what it’s worth. still it a nice truck. 49 years lic. Red Seal Tech ,