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December 2025 New Car IncentivesCool Car Find: 1965 GMC C/K Pickup
What do you get when you mix modern engineering and classic pickup looks? This stunner of a 1965 GMC C/K Series.Old Truck, New Tricks
1965 GMC C/K 1500 – carsforsale.com | Shop 1965 GMC C/K 1500 Series on Carsforsale.com
Modern trucks are indisputably impressive vehicles. They can tow over 10,000 lbs. They have massaging seats and gigantic touchscreens. They have semi-autonomous driving systems and get nearly 30 mpg on the highway. It’s hard to not be wowed by all they offer. But one thing modern trucks struggle at is personality. Though they try to appear mean, imposing, and intimidating, but once you start comparing one make to the next, you realize modern truck styling across the board is hopelessly homogenized; they’re all big grills and squared shoulders worthy of a 1980s suit jacket.
For comparison, take GM’s Chevrolet and GMC post-war trucks. The Advanced Design Series and the Task Force Series that followed are among the most iconic pickups ever made, thanks in no small part to their distinctive looks. The C/K Series, which arrived in 1960, was no less original.
Today’s Cool Car Find is a 1965 GMC C10 pickup, restored and modified to the hilt, making the most of its vintage styling while upgrading from the chassis on up for heaps of modern refinement.
C/K Series Background
The Chevy/GMC C/K Series ran from model years 1960 through 1966. The C/K name divided into C Series with two-wheel drive and K Series four-wheel drive. The big innovation over the prior Task Force Series was the C/K’s new drop ladder chassis that improved ride quality, along with an independent front suspension. Half ton versions came in 115- and 127-inch wheelbases and either 6.5- and 8-foot bed sizes. Chevy versions could be ordered with Stepside beds (called Fenderside in the case of GMCs).
Engines included 235- and 261-cu.-in. “Stovebolt” straight-sixes, as well as 230, 250, and 292 “TurboThrift” I-6s. The 305 V6 was a GMC exclusive and made either 150 or 165 horsepower, depending on the set up. The C/K Series offered two V8s: a 283 small-block was offered throughout the 1960 to 1966 run, and a 327 small-block V8 was added for the final two model years, 1965 and ’66, which made 220 horsepower.
This Cool Car Find
Our Cool Car Find, a 1965 GMC C10, retains what makes the C/K Series visually distinct while making massive changes to nearly every other aspect of the truck. The result is as good a restomod pickup as you’re likely to find for under $40,000.
This truck features all the C/K Series’ classic looks including a two-tone paint job, chrome bumpers, and Fenderside bed. The list of modifications and upgrades is extensive and includes exterior embellishments like the chrome bed bars with KC lights, a diamond bed plate, 15-inch alloy wheels, and sidestep rails. Inside, you’ll immediately notice the bucket seats and a center console borrowed from a K5 Blazer. Also new are modern gauges, including a column-mounted tachometer.
1965 GMC C/K 1500 – carsforsale.com | Shop 1965 GMC C/K 1500 Series on Carsforsale.com
Mechanical enhancements run the gamut from the 350 V8 with 4-barrel Edelbrock carb, intake, and valve cover to the three-speed automatic with Loka floor shifter. Most noteworthy of all, this build swaps the original C10 chassis and running gear (recall that C Series were 2WD) for a K5’s chassis and 4×4 set up.
For modern feel, power, and convenience wedded to classic pickup styling, there are few better, cooler examples than this 1965 GMC C10 restomod.
