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
Has been for sale for months.
The rear bumper is unbelievably cool!!!
I’ve owned several of them. Love’m. I still have the one I bought in ’89.
In 1985, I “borrowed” a starter from my grandfather’s ’65 that was sitting under the hay barn for my ’63 … his was a “six,” mine was a 327 … a few weeks later he asked me to put it back because he had sold his truck for $100 … it was straight, no dents, glass was good … that’s what we did back when …
I would be careful this has been posted on CL for at least a year and a half.
This truck might also have the big 6 ; the 292. I own a 64 Carryall with that engine coupled to a 4 speed tranny. This truck is pretty rough and I don’t think it is worth what they are asking. I us d to be able to buy old trucks like this for $500!
My first C10 was a 66 fleetside . Blown up 250 in it. A 230 with a fresh head was in the bed. That was in ’77. $194.
Where did the seller find the Chevy truck in Texas? I may know the truck.
Where did the seller find the truck in Texas? I may know that truck.
10 years ago you couldn’t give this era truck away, now they’re all the rage. I could have bought a dozen of them for 12K back then if I only knew
I had a 68 C10 short step side “camper special” 327 4sp 3.73 posi 16″ six bolt wheels overload springs rocker panels had replaced rest of the sheet metal was good. I had too many trucks, tried to sell it in ’90 nobody wanted a 20 year old truck. Sold it to my BIL for $200 he traded it for a boat never to be seen again. Wish I’d never sold it! Truck like that is in such demand now I could auction it off to the highest bidder!
The classic reminiscing Christmas cards often have battered old trucks on them.
This is a good example of Texas rust vs Illinois rust. All the fasteners on the springs and even the exhaust will un-thread with little more than a spray of your preference.
I suspect the seller isn’t in a hurry and he is trolling for the big one.
They are great beaters to have around. It may also have disc brakes up front.
Thanks, Scotty.
Matthew, definitely won’t have disc brakes in ’65
Not from the factory but not hard to swap in. A very common thing to do. Swap drums for discs.
Wrong color but – right turn Clyde
Seller has been watching too many episodes of Mecum and Barrett-Jackson.
Late to the dance, but those short bed side mount spare fenders aren’t common. They were the same fender from second series 55- 66 though unusual to see on a base C-1404. This truck is a gem, but I’d be wary of frame damage. It got hit hard or backed into a ditch at speed. A good buy, every part is available.
I’ve like these since my teen years. My dad had a ’65 short bed step side in white when I was in high school and for a few years beyond. It was one very cool truck in super nice shape with a 283 and a 4 speed, but in those first was a granny gear. I was between cars when he put it up for sale and was sorely tempted to buy it from him, and now I wish I had, but I decided not to and I’ve wanted one every since. As I recall it went for just $600 with around 80k miles on it.
Right turn Clyde….was a ’55-’57 Chevy
why not fix the speedo?. most other mechanicals were done
I’ve had 6 trucks from this generation. Every one of the speedometers broke at 50,000 miles. My uncle bought one brand new in 1963 and at 50k.. the speedo broke. These are tough as nails. i prefer the pre 64 with the wrap around windshield.