Rare Color: 1997 Chevrolet C/K Pickup

 

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When it comes to special colors, most of the vehicles we associate with this feature are low-slung sports cars from Italy and Germany. Rarely do we get all hot-and-bothered over a truck that wears a rarely-seen shade, but that’s what we’ve got here with this super clean 1997 Chevrolet C/K pickup. Don’t mind the grill – for some reason, a GMC badge resides where a bowtie should. The truck is a lower-spec model complete with steel wheels and a super basic interior, which actually makes the assortment of features and body color even more intriguing given it was clearly purchased for its spartan trimmings, which makes you wonder who ordered it in this smurf blue paint. Find it here on eBay with bids to $9,100 and no reserve.

Once you see the tailgate, you get affirmation that this bone-stock workhorse is indeed a Chevrolet product. When looking at this truck from all angles, it reminds me very much of the rigs that used to be in fleet of workhorses I rode in when I was a summer worker for a bridge authority in upstate New York. The steel wheels with black hubcaps, jacked-up suspension, rubber floor lining, and a vinyl bench seat that was hot as well whenever we rode in the truck all combined to create the perfect version of a vehicle that would be relentlessly abused as long as it was in the fleet. This truck with its durable 5.7L V8 shows no signs of having been abused, right down to the still-shiny rear chrome bumper.

The interior is in excellent condition with no obvious flaws. There’s under 50,000 miles on this truck and it shows. The rubber (or vinyl) floor liner may not be very exotic, but it certainly is durable and easy to wash out when needed. The truck is very basic, down to crank windows and manual locks, which also means there’s less to break. The Armor All-like treatment on the steering wheel is normally frowned upon, but in this case, it just goes to show how minty the steering wheel is and free of any dirt marks or greasy handprints. The Chevy is a desirable four-wheel-drive model, and while the low mileage would suggest everything works well, I’d still want to make sure the transfer case is operating as it should be.

The 5.7L V8 and automatic transmission are said to run well, and the engine bay is incredibly well detailed. The seller doesn’t report on any recent maintenance, but I doubt this truck has ever needed much in its life or will need much in the future. The paint is in outstanding condition from all corners and continues to the inner fenders. I really can’t get over how blue this truck is, and it’s definitely a distinctive shade as it’s far lighter than the navy blue we occasionally see these trucks wearing. The Chevy is offered at no reserve, so it will be going home with someone; the question is, how much will someone pay for an unusual color? Or is this truck’s condition clean enough to be desirable to bidders  regardless of the unique paint code?

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Comments

  1. Kincer KincerMember

    I’m pretty sure this is a GMC with a repainted Chevy tailgate, not that it matters same truck anyway, they probably replaced a damaged tailgate. This looks like a company truck that didn’t get used much. I doubt they would change the door badges, hub caps, grille, and steering wheel badges, replaced tailgate makes much more sense.

    Like 27
    • Driveinstile DriveinstileMember

      I Agree. Once I saw the GMC badge on the airbag/horn on the steering wheel, I dont think anyone would go to that much trouble to change it from a Chevy to a GMC.

      Like 13
    • Big_FunMember

      You’re right…definitely a GMC. VIN decodes as such. Dealer has it on the website as a GMC. More views on eBay under Chevrolet, I’ll bet.
      Here is the link:

      http://masterautogroupllc.360vinspin.net/1997-GMC-Sierra-3500-Reg-Cab-131.5-WB-4WD/VDP/7d0538fe-47fc-4194-9423-4a436c27428c

      That tailgate could be the original, with that Chevrolet ‘applique’ added. GMC truck was in small script at the bottom right.
      Or, just a used one…

      Like 4
  2. Big_FunMember

    Here is an example….

    Like 1
  3. Big_FunMember

    Definitely used, but not *as* abused as some. Brake pedal has wear on right edge. Cloth seat bottom has been replaced with vinyl. It was common to have the cloth wear thin and then rip on driver’s side, just like the previous gen.
    I have a ’96 SRW K3500, and, for the base ‘Cheyenne’, has a few luxury items standard. Notice the cargo lamp, full cloth headliner with cloth visors and reading lights. Delay wipers, full gauges with tach and trip odo. (3) 12 volt power sources. And a four speaker FM stereo.
    Ten years before, in ’86, the ‘base’ truck had all that as options, or n/a.
    Interesting side note. This K3500 has a 4L80e, different axle and tranfer case, then the K2500 (4L60e).
    These are good trucks, I love mine.

    Like 5
  4. nlpnt

    I’m guessing the tailgate was a junkyard color match (for this rare color!) rather than a repaint, otherwise why bother putting the “CHEVROLET” applique back on this GMC?

    Like 5
    • chrlsful

      cuz this vehicle is not as it appears, plenty rest0 done. Not the famious ‘survivor’ (mo’ $). We attempt this (some tell some do not) to increase our income-on-labor & prts/material.

      Like 0
  5. CCFisher

    I just painted my bedroom that color. According to the paint can, it’s “Cornflower.”

    Like 1
  6. StanMember

    Great ❄ snowplow truck crank up the torsion bars up front and get to work

    Like 3
  7. Marke

    Nice looking truck for its age, but for that much money, no photos of inside of bed, might tell more of the story. Also six previous owners and only 45k miles mileage is probably not too good, but heck of a workhorse, great farm truck!

    Like 1
  8. Comet

    Prior to this generation of trucks I worked at a Chevy dealer during the “square body” years. We had a shelve in the parts department with trim removed from Chevy trucks delivered with mistakenly installed miscellaneous GMC trim. Emblems, hub caps, etc.

    Like 4
  9. John C.

    Same vendor that had a chevy pickup on ebay a few times recently that the bed and cab lines didn’t line up. When I asked if it was wrecked or the frame rusted no reply.

    Like 1
  10. BunkyMember

    This truck was previously a GSA vehicle. Originally owned by the General Services Administration.

    Like 4
  11. chrlsful

    mid ’90s were the last step side / flair side or what have you (chevy was a final seller?). Like to see it here. Really loved the 6th gen ford p/u – F250 4WD, short box, step side (w/two 18 inch race stripes).

    Like 0
  12. Troy

    Well look at that, MACO almost got the paint matched just a couple shades lighter. some of the frame pictures show rust stands to reason the body had some too and I don’t remember seeing these old GM trucks with color matching fender flares if I recall they were always grey or black

    Like 0
  13. GIRTH

    Wonder why the rubber mat is all rumpled up. Pass kick panel missing.

    Like 0
  14. Mike

    Definitely a GMC
    It has had a rough life!
    A lot of high wear interior parts replaced.
    Supposed to have front tow hooks & a damaged repaired RH frame rail support.
    Not bad, but a candidate for issues

    Like 0
  15. Raymond

    It cant be a C/K, this obvious error show your lack of automotive knowledge….back to grade school with you

    Like 0
  16. John C.

    Is it me or is the cab and bed lines off on the drivers side? (don’t line up perfect)

    Like 0
  17. Glenn C. SchwassMember

    I’d have to change the grill and lights to the Cheyenne or Silverdale, and the color is brutal unless it improves in person. I had an 89 and it was a lemon. They worked out all the bugs by then. This might be the last year for this style and a whole new set of bugs for 98?…Scary if it had 6 owners. Could have real issues.

    Like 0
  18. JimmyJ

    I have the same truck except white a 93 and a 5speed 87000 kilometres the 10k US selling price makes me feel pretty good!

    Like 0
  19. Bick Banter

    Things got all cattywampus in the bidding. It would go up and then down and up and then down again. I suspect alcohol may have been involved in some of the bids, But it looks like it found a buyer. Very unique truck! You certainly will not see yourself coming and going every day.

    Like 0
  20. Stevieg

    Junkyard rat! I never seen this color on one of these, so probably a cheap repaint. Mismatched tailgate. Miles? That speedometer with the odometer built in can be changed. I feel bad for the buyer, they might regret their purchase. He probably feels just as good about his purchase as my ex wife’s newest boyfriend lol.

    Like 0
  21. t-bone BOB

    Ended:
    Dec 12, 2021
    Winning bid:
    US $10,251.00
    [ 24 bids ]
    Located in:
    Nottingham, Maryland

    Relisted
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=284581731522&vxp=mtr

    Like 0
  22. t-bone BOB

    Ended:
    Jan 03, 2022
    Winning bid:
    US $10,100.00
    [ 44 bids ]

    Like 0

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