Few Americans struggle to correctly pronounce “Chevrolet,” making it unique among French words, which often suffer honest mispronunciation and intentional butchery. Ironically this French word for “a person who cultivates goats” has become synonymous with the working man and woman’s America. The interesting life of Louis Chevrolet began with his birth in the Swiss region of La Chaux-de-Fonds on the French border. I can’t think of a better “Chevy” to represent America than this 1965 C10 4×4 from Milan, Tennessee, and it’s about to find a new owner with a No Reserve auction here on eBay.
Wait, “Milan,” Tennessee? That weaves well into this thread because “Milan” is the English name for the Italian city of Milano. Who decided it was OK to change the names of other nations’ cities to make them easier to pronounce? Of course “America” itself owes its name to the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, but enough of that; let’s talk about the truck! The current owner bought it two years ago, and it ran rough so he or she parked it. Now the thrill is gone and it’s up for auction. Normally I prefer the next generation Chevy trucks, but the 3″ or 4″ lift, big tires, and winch bumper on this ’65 are making my mouse trigger finger itchy.
The Tennessee seller reports the truck originally came from Arkansas. Much of the 507 “Light Blue” paint abandoned the truck during a lifetime of encounters with fence posts, weather, brush, and farm animals, punctuated by the occasional hootin’ hollerin’ good time. Like most hard-working pre-’90s pickup trucks, its cab can be cleaned with a garden hose, as I did with my Grandfather’s 1967 Chevy C10 and my 1985 Ford F250, both of which had bare metal “headliners” and rubber floor mats like this feature truck.
Having grown up in Pennsylvania, I’d have anticipated a pink engine with Tinkerbell on the air cleaner before an air conditioning compressor under the hood of this burly 4×4. Most trucks back in the day were two-wheel drive with eight foot beds. Interestingly the VIN Decoder at 67-72chevytrucks.com says this is a 1964 half-ton 4×4 short bed pickup. Regardless of the model year, this would have been a sharp and uncommon vehicle, pairing the sporty short-bed and air conditioning with four-wheel drive. According to another page on 67-72chevytrucks.com, Chevy made fewer than 2500 short-bed 4x4s in 1965. This No Reserve auction truck will sell, folks. Where do you think the bidding will end?
At $3900 it’s already $100 past my ‘oh geez, seriously?’ limit.
Sure hope those are just missing nuts and not missing studs on every wheel.
Highly collectable, short bed-4 wheel drive. Not many around at this point, that are worth a restoration. 5k sounds like plenty. A truck is a great candidate for someone’s first time restoration. These are let’s say-simple and parts are a mouse click away. Every household needs a truck, why not build your own your way. I like the truck.
oh there’s more than you think… i have been looking for a couple years and there are lots..
That’s a K10. 4wd is K, 2wd is C. 2nd digit in vin. It looks like the body mounts on the frame are shot. Check the way the body sags at the cowl. Front fenders look like they are UP in the front. Typical for these.
You beat me to the C/K difference in Chevy Vins.
This truck is super cool but it’s going to need a lot of work just to be a good driver.
That bumper is hard to find.
Restore the truck, but keep the patina on the steering wheel.
i don’t know for certain, but I believe it’s had a body swap. Listed as a 65, the VIN is from a 64 short bed 4wd, but the body has features from a 65, so I wonder how it’s titled, 64 or 65. Another thing, you couldn’t get 4wd with an automatic transmission till 69. This truck has an auto column, with the shifter from a NP205 transfer case. It should have a Rockwell T221 divorced transfer case under it, so the original drivetrain is gone for sure.
Only 564 short wheel base fleetside 4wd built in 64. I can’t remember the exact number, but around 1,000 short step sides. A 60 Apache swb factory 4wd sold last week for $5100, so I’m curious what this one will bring.
Here is my 64 K10 that’s I’ve been working off & on for a couple of years. The original 283 had been replaced by a 350 tbi engine from a 87, running the original SM420 4 speed & T221.
Hello Tyler, I seen the picture of this truck some where else and seen the story behind the truck. I think its a great little truck I seen the picture where they pulled the box out of the trees. If you are ever interested in selling please text my cell five one nine 330 zero eight two four.
Thanks
Scott
I think that while the cab and box are off for restoration, that would be a good time to restore the chassie and install a cummins 5.9 into the frame with a five speed trans and heavier transfer case. Then reinstall the cab and box with a shiny new paint job colour optional. I’d build some beastly bush guard bumpers onto it and and an extra leaf in the front to handle the extra weight.JMHO.