It wasn’t that many years ago when an older pickup might expect to see out its useful life as an unloved workhorse on a farm. A significant mechanical problem or the onset of old age would see it eventually abandoned in a field or barn to deteriorate beyond the point of no return. However, times change, and those same vehicles are now a hero of the classic scene. The previously unloved has become a must-have, and solid examples can command impressive prices. Our feature truck is a 1957 Chevrolet 3600 Stepside, and apart from a color change, it is an original survivor in excellent mechanical health. It needs a new home, so the owner has listed it for sale here on Craigslist. Located in La Mesa, California, the seller has set its price at $16,500. A big thank you goes out to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this gem for us.

The first thing to note with this Stepside is that I don’t believe its current Cardinal Red paint is original. There is visual evidence suggesting that it rolled off the line wearing Arctic Beige, but there’s no information on when the color change may have occurred. Once we look beyond that detail, the news seems optimistic. Most of these pickups saw an active life involving plenty of carrying. The loads were almost always heavy, and many owners weren’t particularly careful about how they treated these vehicles. The result is that we see our share of classic truck projects at Barn Finds looking pretty battered and bruised. This one arrives like a breath of fresh air, with its lack of significant dings and dents suggesting its owners have treated it with respect. Trucks of this era are prone to rust, and this Stepside is no exception. It has afflicted the usual spots, although the recent growth in popularity means that replacement steel is readily available and affordable. There is rust near one door hinge, in one pillar, and the cowl. Otherwise, it is structurally sound. That will allow the buyer to tackle these issues as time and circumstances permit. There are no missing trim pieces, and with good glass, this 3600 has no pressing needs.

The Chevy’s interior is complete, and while it looks tired, it remains serviceable. The seller has thrown a blanket over the seat, protecting the original unripped upholstery. The wheel exhibits wear, while the painted surfaces have accumulated plenty of scratches and marks. A previous owner installed aftermarket turn signals and these work as they should. The remaining electrical items and gauges also function correctly, so once again, nothing demands immediate attention. Even if the new owner intends to retain the exterior in its current state, refurbishing the interior to provide a striking contrast could prove too tempting to resist. One of the attractions is that they are easy to dismantle and reassemble. That makes them a prime candidate for an individual with good preparation and painting skills to perform the task in a home workshop. As someone who has tackled this aspect of a project build, I can vouch that few experiences are more satisfying than surveying an interior revived with your own two hands.

Powering this Stepside is a 235ci “Thriftmaster” six-cylinder engine that should produce 140hp and 210 ft/lbs of torque. The power finds its way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission with a “granny” low to maximize load-carrying abilities. The seller indicates the Pickup is numbers-matching, and they have worked through a process that should guarantee excellent mechanical health. They replaced the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and tires. They treated the carburetor and fuel pump to a rebuild, and this effort has proved worth it. The 3600 runs and drives perfectly, and while the seller admits it is no freeway cruiser, it still provides acceptable performance.

This 1957 Chevrolet 3600 Stepside isn’t perfect, but that is part of its charm. It isn’t a trailer queen, carrying the signs that it has worked to earn its living. That leaves potential buyers with choices to consider. Its essentially solid structural state means it could be driven and enjoyed largely untouched. Its original nature makes the Stepside an ideal candidate for a satisfying restoration project. However, the next owner could throw caution to the wind and use this classic as the foundation for a custom or ratrod build. Which path would you follow?