Once common as blades of grass, the Second Generation Chevy C / K Series pickups remain popular as classics. This 1972 Chevrolet K10 Fleetside 4×4 shows weathering mostly on its horizontal surfaces, normal after years of outdoor storage. The white cab adds “poor man’s air conditioning” in addition to rendering snappy contrast to the orange paint. As recently as the 1990s, it was still common to see non-air-conditioned southern cars and trucks with a factory or owner-painted white roof. Since then, the lack of air conditioning somehow became an all-out deal breaker for car shoppers of delicate constitution. This rig gained a GM crate motor and a refreshed interior at some point. Though true mileage is unknown, the Heber City, Utah pickup drives “perfectly,” according to the listing here on eBay. Bidding has topped $10,000 without meeting the seller’s Reserve.
The Goodwrench 350 gave this rig a second life, but these crate motors have looked similar since the last century so it’s hard to say how many miles it has left. Still, I’d take a GM crate motor before rolling the dice on a no-name rebuild without documentation.
The truck spent some time on a TV show, according to the listing, and it might take a dedicated fan to click Buy It Now for $23,900. The Internet reveals no shortage of parts for the second-gen C/K which ran through this unit’s 1972 model year, and the small block 350 cid (5.7L) is probably the cheapest V8 in the world to maintain.
With heavy duty vinyl and paint everywhere, these trucks often got their floors hosed out as part of an exterior washing. That’s how my Grandfather treated his appliance-white ’67 C10. A three-speed automatic transmission handles the gear changes, and the floor-mounted shifter lets the drive select transfer case options like two-wheel drive and high and low range 4×4. Bulletproof manual hubs never leave you stranded because some electric motor or vacuum actuator gave up the ghost.
Though not perfect, there’s not much to complain about underneath. Many of these trucks never left service, and still get the job done on farms and ranches across the country. Admittedly fewer have survived so long in the rust belt, but few fans would complain if you simply bought this rig and put it back to work. Would you pamper this K10 or use it as a truck?
The image has sure changed. Back in ‘72 a 4×4 was still in the minority although by the mid-70s they were easily half of the light truck population. I recall at least one identical twin to this one. One even had a Goodwrench engine.
Speaking of Goodwrench, we sold and installed a lot of them back in the day. I recall a local Highway Patrol car. The original engine flattened a camshaft. They needed a super fast turnaround so the powers that be authorized a complete engine. Since it was an Interceptor I put in a bid to install the proper replacement Interceptor engine. I lost the job to another dealer.
Well the local force came around complaining that the “Interceptor” was about as capable of intercepting as a 36 hp VW. I drove it and it WAS a slug. Further checking proved that the Interceptor got nothing more than a Goodwrench.
Needless to say, they went back to the dealer that had won the bid. I would like to have been a fly on the wall in that place…
Love it! Way too much money.
Disagree. Worth every penny. A much better value than a new 45,000 dollar new truck. As ALWAYS, it is worth what someone will pay for it.
Sure miss these white painted bumper trucks. You could count on a rig that was strictly business. First time I’ve heard the term poor man’s air conditioning for the cab two tone. This looks pretty solid and complete. Maybe someone will get a good helper or project.
I’m thinking the 27K miles mentioned in the listing applies to the replacement engine. Despite its looks I don’t see rot and the frame looks to have just surface rust. A good driver that might just need a matte clearcoat and some TLC, but I wouldn’t pay much more than the current bid.
Sold! $10,550
Fair price for a solid work truck that does truck things. 👍
Now THAT’S nice “patina”.
The downside of these trucks was the gas tank is behind the seat
NO, Did not sell.
Did not meet the reserve, and never will.
Maybe paint that high dollar distressed paint job and get 15K.
It will never end, but as long as disfunctional people keep paying the paper then my airs will make a killing.