Old pickups are just plain fun and don't need to be perfect to fill their role. Take this 1965 Chevy C10 pickup, for example. It's got a bit of patina on the period-correct paint, a functional bed, and a rumbling 5.0 liter V8 that neatly balances power and economy, all for a price that's easy to handle. Now how hard is it to imagine yourself driving this truck every day? Not very, I bet.That bright red paint is what you pick when you care about keeping a period look. It'll always look good, it'll never go out of style, and it's the kind of color that you will turn around and admire in a parking lot as you walk away. Refinished in the not-too-distant past, the two-tone red and white combination seems to emphasize the details in the C10 bodywork, including the crease that starts at the grille and wraps around the body, as well as that ultra-cool cab-top chrome trim piece signifying the "Custom" trim. Then there's the simple mesh grille and headlights that are almost free-standing, kind of an old-fashioned look that seems just right here. Top it off with some bright chrome bumpers, a nicely finished oak bed that's not too perfect to use, and yeah, this is definitely a truck you could drive every day for a long, long time.It'll be easy to get comfortable inside, too, with a simply and tastefully upholstered interior that is as timeless as the bodywork. Just a simple bench seat with basic black and white vinyl, matching black carpets, and neat door panels that tie it all together perfectly. The doors have been painted to match the body, red on the bottom and white on top, and the repainted dash houses factory gauges that still live behind a single sheet of Plexiglas that looks cool and is one of the C10's signature features. The shifter on the tilt column now operates a TH350 3-speed automatic instead of the original PowerGlide 2-speed and the wheel is probably in original condition, just to add a little character. It's otherwise pretty Spartan, which is how pickup trucks used to be before they were fashion statements, although someone has thoughtfully added A/C, which you'll appreciate on warm summer days. There's no radio today, but it would be easy to install the radio of your choice in the dash, which is the first project I'd tackle if this were my truck.Reliability is ensured by a Chevy 5.0 Liter V8 and thanks to a 4 barrel carburetor, long-tube headers, and a mild camshaft, it makes great power to move the truck with real authority, but is happy to cruise at highway speeds or idle in rush-hour traffic without getting cranky. A few chrome dress-up parts ensures that it matches the bodywork for eye-appeal, and all the components are easy to service and durable, perfect for a vehicle that doesn't mind doing a little work around the house. The suspension is pretty stock and having coil springs out back really makes a difference in ride quality and makes you wonder why they ever went back to leaf springs. A pleasant-sounding Flowmaster exhaust system is neatly tucked up into the body, and shiny aluminum wheels look great wrapped in 275/60/15 white letter radials.So forget perfection and grab a truck that has a few bumps and bruises. You might just find out that it's a lot more fun and a lot more practical than you expected. Call today!
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