Said to be originally from Texas and mostly original, at least on the exterior, this 1965 Chevrolet C-10 Stepside short bed is one cool truck. Two concessions to originality are a power brake booster for a nicer braking experience and a four-speed swap in place of the original three-speed column shifter. They have it posted here on craigslist in Crestwood, Illinois and they’re asking $12,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Zappenduster for the tip!
Our own Bruce Johnson showed us a somewhat similar truck last March here on Barn Finds, albeit it was a lot smoother, had a long bed, and didn’t appear to have any rust showing, unlike the version for sale here. We don’t know what it sold for but a short bed adds some value. Stepside customers could choose a 6.5-foot bed as on this truck, but also an eight or even a nine-foot bed length! The new C-Series rear-drive pickups were made for the 1960 through 1966 model years, alongside the K-Series 4×4 trucks.
The wrinkle on the left rear fender seems like the worst of the body issues, but there are various dents, dings, wrinkles, and some surface rust showing as you can see. The seller says they’re the third owner and this truck was in Texas its entire existence until they bought it last fall. The seller reports that there is no rust, which we take to mean no rust holes. They say, “All cab mounts and braces are solid and clean as can be. There is no rust in the rockers, cab corners and inner fenders and above the windshield is clean of rust also.”
Sadly, we don’t get to see a “driver’s view” from the driver’s side, but it looks pretty nice from the passenger side. They cite that there is no speedometer, but maybe they mean it isn’t working? There is clearly one shown in the photo above. They say, “There is no speedometer. The truck has the gauge package and they all work as well.” The New Process four-speed manual is a nice upgrade for sure, and it’s said to cruise great, even on the highway. I can’t imagine how hot a vinyl seat would have been in Texas, but maybe that’s also new since last fall.
The engine is likely a 230-cu.in. OHV straight-six with 140 horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque. The new four-speed manual sends power to the rear wheels and it has new plug wires, a new HEI distributor, and it’s said to run like new. This truck sure looks great to me, have any of you owned an early C-10 Stepside?
$12,500,& no spare?At least it’s “Rust Free” –
Free Rust.
Evidently,the old pickup market has gone crazy.
The prices that I’ve seen for old trucks like this is insane.
Again,I wonder how many like this are bought for lots of
money,& the buyer later realizes that it’s really not much
fun to drive,& is just a basic truck that gets the job done.
Where do you think the term “Drives like a truck”
came from?
In 1965 these sold for about $2500. At $12,500 that means this truck only depreciated about 50% in 60 years accounting for inflation, dents rust no spare and all.
Who said you can’t put a price on a whim?
Holy, moldy, and wrinkly just like me. Am I worth 12.k too? This truck has holes in some really strange places too. Wonder what the bottom looks like.
Asking prices does not set value, multiple sales of similar items does. Even though the CL ad is only 11 days old, the pictures in the ad are from summer, possibly earlier. Based on the For Sale sign on the seat it’s been on the market since then. Good deals don’t last, there are reasons it’s still on the market and will likely be for some time to come.
Steve R
The rear bumper is unbelievably cool!!!