I guess it’s good for pickup truck collectors, but why exactly does one buy a pickup and not use it? Our poor truck shows several scars, despite me being careful, of being used as a workhorse at Casa Jamie and moving cars from place to place. This truck doesn’t have any of that! It’s been hanging out (apparently spending most of its time in a garage) in Alabama but has recently migrated north to Tennessee and is being sold here on eBay. Bidding is over $10,000 as I write this post but has yet to meet the seller’s reserve.
This picture could be out of the 1984 Chevrolet Truck brochure. Just look at that shiny chrome! Even the step bumper–which wasn’t always chromed–is on this truck and looks gorgeous. Was it ever stepped on? Also, I don’t know about the rest of the country, but it seemed like every other Chevy two-tone truck of this model type was in these two colors (the other one was blue with white). Or was that just a North Carolina thing? You saw a lot of Suburbans in this scheme as well. Oh, I almost forgot, the tires have just been replaced, so that’s one more thing you don’t have to worry about.
If I hadn’t seen some scratches in this shot of the pickup bed, I would wonder if the truck had ever been used at all as a truck during those 34,673 miles it’s traveled! At least it has a few wear marks in the bed, although again it’s very obvious this vehicle has been someone’s pride and joy rather than a workhorse.
Naturally, the interior has been covered since new with this protective plastic usually seen on your Aunt Nellie’s 1964 sedan. The rest of the interior including the vulnerable padded dash is just as nice. The air conditioning blows cold and has just been serviced with new lines and a new condenser.
Of course, the engine is almost spotless. It’s only a 305, not a 350, but does it really matter? You aren’t going to use it for hauling anyway, are you–I see that gleam in your eyes, you truck collector, you. The poor ergonomics, lack of interior or people carrying capacities and exposed storage don’t matter to you–you just want a beautiful truck in your garage to look at and drive occassionally on sunny days! Leave the working trucks to us folks that actually use them–this is your truck!
Never really understood the idea of covering up upholstery in plastic. If you think the seats are nice enough to preserve, why not just enjoy them as is? I guess in this case though, they’ve acted to keep these 33 year old seats looking brand new.
People did this in homes also, slipcovers on couch and chairs and runners over your new carpet. Kids were not allowed in certain rooms of the house and no horseplay or running in the house, that is what the outdoors was for. Also no eating in the cars or in any room of the house except the kitchen or dining room. It was a different world 35-70 years ago.
Yeah I remember those plastic seat covers that my parents put on and us kids had a sit on that sticky s*** and then crack into them in winter that was ridiculous nowadays use it as is I don’t even put floor mats down you can buy carpet for $100 and change it out once you wear it what do you want floor mats for.??
The ubiquitous if hideous Reagan era brown…….. I always liked the earlier C-10/20 design before they went to the box in ’73 or 4? But if you want a newish condition pickup thats 33 years old and dont want to pay 50K for seat warmers and hand holders in a modern Silverado..what the hey!
Agree. That is a nice truck from that era. Funny, every tim pueve looks so good, no need to get any repop parts from LMC to refresh.
These will probably approach the value of the older C series in a few years. Money in the bank.
Ten years ago thes were a dime a dozen. Now they have surpassed the 60-66 series & are where 67-72 trucks were 5 years ago. The 84-87’s are my personal favorite & in my opinion, were the cream of the crop of the squares.
And the best thing about this generation of trucks is if you don’t care for the anemic 305, or gas thirsty 350, a 5.3 or 6.0 LS with the 4l60 or 80 is practically a direct swap these days.
This is my 85 with a stock 5.3
Just back from paint & working on getting the interior back in it. 100% rust free truck.
Nice truck. I also cover-upholstered my ’62 Chevy 2s stock seats in the popular Fingerhut plastic covers. Popular in circa 1966 that is. I liked them….looked good and kept me from carrying around a blanket when my friends and I were out at Dad’s shop working on it and theirs. :-) Terry J
Yes it does make a difference. The 305 sucked gas like a pig. Examples. 76 Nova, 77 Impala and a 91 Camaro. My dads 79 Cutlass wagon , 350 and 4 bbl got better gas mileage. I believe his 80 Olds 98 Regency same engine as the Cutlass did also. I think they took premium fuel, though.
The dealership I worked for got a diesel powered pickup with that color scheme back in ’79. I was so impressed with it I decided to order my 79 GMC K-1500 in that same scheme. It began an epidemic that was only beaten by ’77/’78 Trans Ams painted black. It wasn’t long before a quarter of new pickups were ‘doggie do’ brown and ‘calf scour’ yellow. And yes, I’m restoring it to original right down to the color.
I’ve seen a lot of these in two tone green, dark over light, maybe Forest Green and something paler
My father’s 83 K10. He bought it new in 83, & we recently bought the back from the same man he sold it too in 85.
We have two housewives near me,who drive
4WD crew cab pickups.The only thing I’ve ever seen
them haul is kids & groceries – WHAT A WASTE!
I’ve also seen the same. I know a couple of folks who bought pickups and never did anything “pickup” with them.
I’ve known guys who bought Jeep CJ-7’s and CJ-5’s and only used them as Sunday drivers down to the local tavern.
Takes all types
I agree angliat, I was in town yesterday when a King Ranch Ford truck parked next to me. One mother and one child on board. I see it all the time. Living in rural Wisconsin I rarely see farmers hauling anything in the bed. I think if it is hauled now days it is on a trailer or in a ATV. I guess good news if your looking for a truck.
I had the 305 in my 1977 Monte Carlo. Out of the 50 plus cars I’ve owned in 40 plus years it was at least in the top 5 or even top 3 best cars I ever had. It ran good and got decent fuel mileage. I used it as a daily driver from 1979 to 1982.
I like the colors on the feature truck. I’d try for this one if I was in the market.
A side note… back in the sixties my great aunt bought a new Impala that had vinyl seats. The salesman talked her into getting these same seat covers installed. Yes, over vinyl. Those salesmen were slick. :(
Going to be posting my ’86 6.2 diesel here soon. Love these trucks but the ever common”problem” of too many on the go…
Some may complain about those plastic seat covers, but in my opinion they have proved their value time and time again. I’ve pulled them off cars that we’re otherwise trashed, and the seat covers were as new. I like this truck, though I would opt for a long bed (more useful ). I can remember not too many years ago when these could be picked up for $1000 to $1500 in good working order, No LONGER!
Those were great trucks. 305 was anemic tho….need a truck for working around the house or going to the dump, this would be a great choice. Or spend 50k on something that no one can fix.these were EASY to work on–even if u stuck a crate motor in it.Not many,including my 83,survived the rust belt.
nice truck…funny that paint scheme was popular in the 70’s – it’s what I have on my 1977 Suburban….she’s a sweetie….can I get a shout out !
nice truck, I have to agree with some of the comments here on the color.. I’m in texas where there are more trucks than cars. I had a body shop and I got sick of painting these 2 colors during this period. but when the new body style came out in 88 the brow was just as popular as this trucks 2 tone combo only dif was the tan was replaced with a metallic light auburn color… I cant remember the name of it rt now…
These colors were called mahogany & almond.
Great looking truck. I had an ’80 GMC with the diesel in it, in this color scheme. It had been my father in law’s truck. He had the engine replaced around 10 years old with one designed to be a diesel. I had it a few years, and decided to “trade up” (because of a growing family) to a Ford F-350 crew cab. After the joy of a newer vehicle wore off, I regretted that move. I wish I had my ’80 back. Nothing has the feeling of an old GM to me. As an aside, does the driver’s door in the first picture look like a different shade of cream?
I like the GM rally truck wheels. I’ve got those on my 92 GMC half ton I recently acquired. 247,000 miles, body and paint are rough, but it’s a central FL truck, so no rust.
Had this identical truck, but with the 350. The color was ugly, the trim poorly mounted I hated the stacked headlight look. But it was a stupidly reliable truck, mid 20 MPG, decent power. Don’t understand the poor ergonomics comment, mine was very comfortable to drive. $10K, not a chance. I traded mine for two shifter karts.
A few weeks ago, I saw a very nice 80k mile, gray, 86 model one owner 2wd sell for $16,000.
Recently I’ve started seeing the 88-98 series single cab swb truck on the rise. With new Silverado’s running over $50,000 on average, it’s not surprising.