A classic vehicle will occasionally land on my desk at Barn Finds that almost leaves me lost for words. This 1965 Chevrolet K10 4×4 Stepside falls into that category because every aspect of this Pickup presents superbly. However, there is more to this stunning vehicle than good looks. Its mechanical configuration should ensure it has power to burn, while the added interior features will make life on the road pleasant. Its only immediate need is a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Apex, North Carolina. Bidding sits below the reserve at $32,277 despite some strong buyer interest.
The seller’s listing is short on specific information, but there is little doubt that this Pickup has received a recent restoration. Its Metallic Green paint shines beautifully, and it looks virtually flawless. If there are any defects, they are too tiny to show in the supplied photos. The panels are straight and clean, with the seller indicating that the K10’s underside is equally impressive. The bed is a high point because it is so spotless I would hesitate to throw in a load. The new owner benefits from tinted glass in as-new condition, with the trim and wheels looking equally nice. I’m unsure how much attention this Pickup would have generated when new, but it is guaranteed to draw crowds of admirers wherever it goes today.
This Pickup is about far more than mere good looks because it has some muscle hiding below the surface. Chevrolet offered 1965 K10 buyers a choice of four engines to power their new purchase, and this classic’s first owner went straight to the top of the class by selecting the 327ci V8. They completed the mechanical package with a four-speed manual transmission, a dual-range transfer case, power brakes, and dealer-installed power steering. The 327 delivered in an era when emission regulations weren’t a consideration, placing 220hp and 320 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. The seller uses the term “all new” in their description, suggesting that the drivetrain received a rebuild during the restoration. The engine bay presents superbly, and although there are no specific details on how this vehicle runs or drives, the presentation, and recent history suggest the news should be positive.
If this Chevy’s exterior presents immaculately, its interior serves up more of the same. The seller wisely protects the new carpet with plastic covers, while the vinyl upholstered surfaces show no evidence of wear or other issues. The interior paint is as spotless as the exterior, but the dash is a genuine highlight. The gauges feature crystal clear lenses and crisp markings, with a tachometer integrated into the cluster. The dash surfaces show no signs of damage or other problems, with the badges and interior bright trim pieces sparkling beautifully. A retro-style radio provides entertainment on the road, and the vintage air conditioning will keep occupants as cool as a cucumber on scorching days. I typically avoid using words like perfect when describing any aspect of a vehicle of this vintage, but that term seems almost impossible to avoid in this case.
Classic Pickups always attract plenty of attention when they hit the market, and this 1965 Chevrolet K10 4×4 Stepside is no exception. If anything surprises me, it is that it has attracted twenty-seven bids at the time of writing. I would expect a vehicle of this caliber to receive more, but plenty of time remains for the situation to change. The new owner will drive away in a Pickup that needs nothing, but would you consider being that person?
Beautiful truck, I would love it, but I do not think you could drive on highway, especially with those tires, maybe around town under 40 miles per hour or to Home Depot etc. very cool and clean.
My brothers school buddy owned one of these, supposedly an old forestry truck. The trucks nickname was the “Green Latrine”.
This is a special-interest vehicle, for those of us who grew up with these in the background…as work trucks; as $300 beaters, back when we were young and needed such things. Our young women didn’t much like them, mostly; but we did.
What it is to my generation – the last of the Baby Boomers – is what the old Dodge wartime Power Wagons were to the previous generations. They had memories; those of us who followed, did not.
We have memories of these. Of the earthy men, often young but older than us, who owend them and worked them. Of riding in the back, to a project or job-site. How different it was from the typical suburban car, and how much more useful those things were.
And how simple. How easy to fix; how interesting to drive.
When we’re gone, this memory is gone, too. Trucks, to the current crop of young people, equate with leather seats, power everything, and 180-month payment schedules. Much the same as what stretch-limos meant to us.
And, with time…just as with the Model As that were preserved, or the war trucks, or Airstreams or Step-Down Hornets…this will have few people who remember and fewer who will bid.
I like this truck. The price is madness, however.
Wow love this truck. This is a country pickup not to taken on the interstate. Put on some big mud guards to protect the paint. I bet the reserve is $38,000 or 40. Good luck to the seller. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Nicely done,I would go one step more and upgrade to modern master cylinder.
Just two words from me…Simply Awesome!
I love this truck and if I could justify the price, all I’d do is add seat belts, a rear sliding window, upgrade the master cylinder as Harvey suggests and drive it.
I owned a 64 K10 fleet side that was featured here on Barn Finds twice, & I can tell you from experience, they are cool trucks, nice to look at, but absolutely horrible to drive. They ride worse than a hay wagon, & drive worse than an old tractor. They will beat you to death & at anything over 40 mph, you put your life into your own hands. Not to mention that drive line parts for K series of this & 67-68 models of the 67-72 model trucks are few & far between. I dis swap my 64 over to a 350 TBI engine & split the brakes with a dual master cylinder to make it a reliable driver, but I have zero regrets selling it. I would rather drive my 91 K1500 any day of the week.
We had a ‘64 K-10 4×4, long wheelbase. A good truck overall. Could’ve used more power because that 283 only had so much. Interesting that this one has a 327. I understood that the 327 was available in a 1/2 ton, 2WD, and that only with an automatic. If you wanted a manual transmission behind a 327 you had to go to a C-20 or 30. Obviously I’m wrong or there’s been a transplant. Either way I wouldn’t kick it off my driveway.
Hi Geo, by gar, it’s been a while. I can only hope, in the afterlife, whatever that is, you have a driveway 14 miles long!
You know, I think most of us are shell shocked with where our economy has gone. A zero( or 2) can be added to everything we used to buy. I like Tylers post, it resonates what I’ve been saying all along. 99 out 100 pickups of this vintage, looked like this ONCE, when it was bought. This is the 100th one, that for whatever reason, escaped all the atrocities pickups had to endure. I would really like to meet the individual who would pay that, but probably end up serving people like that drinks.
Of all of these trucks I’ve seen, I’ve never seen a factory tach. Automatics too, never saw’r one. A truck had a manual transmission, period. What kind of wuss would have an automatic,,I kid, but, many still felt an automatic just couldn’t handle it. I think it kept the wife out of the truck too,,,:)
My dad had a 2x version of this in white with a 283 and a granny gear that I almost bought from him when he sold it, and I’ve often wished I had. This one screams the need for big Mickey Thompsons and custom wheels to me though.. what good are those tiny rubber band things they have on it anyway?
Nice truck.. at that price only tha well to do baby boomers can afford.. ONCE AGAIN It’s not a Barn Find
This truck will be more dependable than any of the junk being sold new today! Less is more. Real men drive these trucks. The girly men drive the new crap available now. That’s why half are purchased by women!🤣🤣🤣🤣
Geomechs, I ordered a ’66 C10 with the 327 an three on the tree, and was told then that this combo wasn’t available on the ’65s. The Muncie 4 speed made it a fun truck.