Patina or Rust: 1965 Chevrolet C10
Using the word ‘patina’ as a euphemism for rust has become fashionable lately, and while I think this Chevrolet C10 is a good looking truck, I think it leans more towards the rust side of the spectrum than the patina side. For sale here on eBay in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, with a starting bid of $3,000, this truck could be a reasonably-priced start to a long-term project.
Introduced in 1960, the first-generation C-series trucks were GM’s first effort to make pickups more drivable and less utilitarian. The frame was designed to allow for a lower ride height, and, by 1965, they even came with a coil-sprung front suspension to make the ride and handling more car-like. And how can you not love the styling? The way the body tucks in just above the front fenders looks fantastic.
If you take the time to watch the video of the truck linked to in the eBay ad, you’ll see that the truck seems to run and drive well, at least at parking lot speeds, although there is a fair bit of creaking and squeaking to be heard. You can also see in the video that the truck has a fair bit of rust, including along the bottom of the bedsides and in the floors of the cab. Fortunately, the latter is stuffed with a rag, that the cameraman stuffs back in the hole after showing it to the camera, so at least that’s been “repaired.”
The ad says the truck has a 305, which wouldn’t have been available in 1965, so the engine has apparently been replaced at some point. Although it seems to run well, I’d likely want to put something with more potential in if I were restoring this truck. At the opening bid, this truck is a reasonably-priced start to a restoration/restomod project, but it’s going to take lots of time and money to make it a show truck. Fortunately, it looks like it’s in good-enough condition to at least drive occasionally while the new owner gathers his spare change together for restoration parts.
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Comments
I’d drive it as is.. not to be fashionable but because I’m too broke for a body job :)
Awesome, or beauty?
Is there a market for a long bed step side?
Lets call it what it is…………….a rusted old truck. Now I like rusted old trucks, have one myself……not nearly as bad and I couldn’t stand the rotted rockers so I did a half fast repair job that looks oem. Then I ordered replacement rocker that are still.still in the box. So.I know rusted old trucks.
This is a good looking truck. It deserves to be saved, ie rust repaired and painted not clear coated! I will slowly dismount from my high horse……….
Sunburned paint=patina, rust through isn’t patina.
I’m not a fan of the term, but when used in a manner as to not excuse or inflate the condition of a rust bucket I can understand it’s usage.
Steve R
Looks like a great project truck. I wouldn’t mind taking on a project like this myself. That looks like the original engine would be a 283. I’m not sure if the 327 became available in a light truck in ’65 or ’66; all I know is that it was available in one of those years. I’d probably run what was there until I could find the proper engine. I might add that I’m very partial to 283s. I definitely would get rid of the rust and give it a decent paint job; probably the same color…
I agree. I can’t wait until this “patina” thing burns itself out,( if ever) and we can get back to some nice colors again. Doesn’t have to be 90 coats of some wild color, just not representative of what this is. These look so sharp when nice, especially the stepside. It’s as if this patina thing sterotypes all country bumpkins with faded, rusty trucks as the norm, and that’s just not true.
The issue is the cost of an actual nice paint job. It’ll more than double the cost of “fixing” the truck up. ……..Truck,$3000, repairs to make a semi reliable driver, $1-2000, paint, $8000. Paint don’t get you home 😁
Ken, I realize many people cant paint themselves or live in some sort of anal housing development with a deranged HOA, but there is a lot of people who can and do their own paint, If you paint semi frequently you already have many of the materials, but a newby DIY can paint this truck between $400 to $1000 in materials depending on the brand and product line you choose.
For some of us, its a labor of love, and we wouldnt be upside down at all.
For a checkbook builder/restorer, your comments are spot on. But I am proud to be in the “Built, NOT Bought” category.
Remember when everyone had a rusted POS truck sitting in the backyard where your property ended? It probably didn’t travel more than 500 miles a year. A few trips to the county dump, some dirt or sand for the yard, or a trip to the hardware store. Current tags were never bought and it felt like you were really getting away with something. That was what living in the country was all about. Like my Dad always said, ” I like to live in a place where I can piss in my backyard”. Simple and better times.
Long bed or short bed I would drive her like she is she’s a beauty. my daily driver 1974 GMC c10 I save her from the shredder.
YEAS! I’d drive this the 250 miles back to Wisconsin (slowly I’m sure) and commute the hot summer in it. Looks to be a good runner in need of a owner who’ll use it. I’d have to do some winter shop work and then just keep drive it until I got bored with the 302. LOL
The engine is a 305 v6 ,gmc made lots of different size v6 engines ,even a v 12
It’s a later model 305 V8 out of a malaise era Chevy. The air cleaner is an immediate clue that it’s not 1965, and the 4 plug wires going to the left head proves it has 8, not 6 cylinders.
Not a GMC V6, they had odd 409ish looking valve covers and the sparkplugs were up by the intake manifold. This is just the run of the mill SBC V8.
No, it’s not. Look at the photos. Even if it was a 305 v6, it would be a transplant from a GMC.
Way past “patina” and well into “rusty old truck” as a descriptive term but still with a nice comfortable old look and feel to it. I like it and would use it just the way it is for trash hauling duty and similar (if I needed a truck, – which I don’t).
I like it but not $3000 like..more like $500 like.i know I’m tight ..so is my employer..they still think its 1984
I like it but not $3000 like..more like $500 like.i know I’m tight ..so is my employer..they still think its 1988..I had a 68 GMC 3/4 no rust.sold for $800..wish I had that back
Terms of today, one of which is “patina”…….it’s just a way to make a rusty vehicle sound cool…….it’s rust, call it what it is.
……….that being said, I have nothing against rusted vehicles,…but I really wish people would be more realistic and honest, and just say it’s a rusty truck.
I was wrong ,
@geomechs: I think GM did offer the 327
as an option for these trucks. There was
an old man on one of my paper routes that had one so equipped. His truck looked very much like this one save for the chrome trimming his truck came with.
When he offered it to me for purchase.
He was very quick to show me the engine
bay with the factory 327 in it. It also had
factory A/C too. As for this truck, I have
many uses for it while I get it ready to
paint.
As long as it’s merely surface rust, and it doesn’t penetrate into the rest of the truck, then it’s okay with me. What matters to me is how it runs, how functional it is, and how safe it is to drive.
At my age I have a lot of “patina” and it is not attractive on me or this truck😂
pa·ti·na
pəˈtēnə/Submit
noun
a green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period.
a gloss or sheen on wooden furniture produced by age and polishing.
an impression or appearance of something.
“he carries the patina of old money and good breeding
pa·ti·na
pəˈtēnə/Submit
noun
a green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period.
a gloss or sheen on wooden furniture produced by age and polishing.
an impression or appearance of something.
“he carries the patina of old money and good breeding
many of my old cars or trucks have paint like this, But I do my own paint work so I never worry about surface conditions, just eval what is serious rot. I have the old grey mare, which is also a 1965 but is a GMC long bed. I REALLY like the body style of this one, but the long bed has more uses,, but this would make a sweet project. These body styles are getting collectible now too… Driving this around you would get a LOT of offers to sell,, everyones looking for a bargain.
Its funny how aggressive some are to buy but low ball you aggressively… “No buddy, you are the 48th person to ask, and NO,, I wont take $300”
The ones I really love and appreciate is some young hipsters who just ooh and aaah and express appreciation. That makes my day. I am seriously inclined to repaint mine as a old famous Vintage Motorcycle shops truck
Good parts like the hood and tailgate already in sellers stash or on another pick up. Ford hubcaps are a big turn off. Flippers should take note….