Chevrolet News

• Vintage trucks, especially Chevys, are gaining popularity with enthusiasts and collectors around the world
• High-quality restoration and customization can add great value to vintage trucks, with the most desirable vehicles selling for high prices at auctions
• The enduring appeal of Chevrolet trucks – both past and current models –is due, in part, to their rugged durability and bold American styling
• 

Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck be tomorrow’s collector’s item? Only time will tell.

Earlier this year in Arizona, U.S., a restored and customized 1969 Chevrolet K10 4X4 pickup truck sold at auction for $137,500 USD (about 4.3 million Baht). As impressive as that is, other customized classic Chevrolet pickups – famed for their durability and styling – have auctioned for even more money over the years as demand for them increases.

“Vintage trucks, especially Chevrolets, have been gaining popularity with collectors, to the point they are rivaling muscle cars,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company. “What’s interesting is collectors are looking for very different vehicles: The most collectible muscle cars are numbers-matching survivors; the most sought-after vintage trucks are full custom builds, and buyers are looking for both unique design elements and high-quality craftsmanship.”

In the collector car industry, “numbers matching” describes vehicles with many of the original major components. While this is an important factor in the valuation of a vintage Chevrolet Corvette or Camaro muscle car, it is less important in the vintage truck category.

Customized classic trucks, such as Chevrolet’s 3100, Apache, Cameo and C/K models of the 1950s-70s, is an emerging trend in the collector car industry, because they are an economical way for a lot of people to enter the collector market

“Part of the appeal of a vintage Chevrolet truck is the opportunity to build the custom truck of your dreams,” said Sandor Piszar, marketing director for Chevrolet Trucks. “Solid trucks can be found for relatively low costs, but the sky is the limit in terms of body work, chassis and performance upgrades. As such, Chevrolet trucks are a great option for collectors of all ages.”

Mr. Nakorn Maiyarat, who owns Chevrolet vintage trucks from 1939, 1954 and 1959, said the popularity of classic Chevrolet trucks is increasing rapidly due to unique appearance of each model. More importantly, Chevrolet also has many accessories to choose.

“All my vintage trucks have been fully restored including paint work and engine overhaul. Working on classic Chevrolet trucks is similar to working on artworks. I am very proud to own them especially when I have an opportunity to drive them to work. It feels exhilarating,” added Maiyarat. “I think vintage trucks are continuously gaining attractiveness as they have distinctive charms, and they are very comfortable to drive.”

The fact that decades-old Chevrolet trucks are still road-worthy reflects General Motors long-time commitment to manufacturing high quality vehicles. Today, all Chevrolet vehicles, including the current Colorado pickups, are manufactured using GM’s global Built-In Quality principle and processes to ensure durability and reliability.

Bold American styling also contributes to the enduring appeal of Chevrolet pickups, with research showing that truck customers in Thailand highly value exterior design when making a purchase decision.

Most Expensive Custom Chevy Trucks Ever Sold at Auction

Here are 12 of the most expensive Chevy trucks sold at Barrett-Jackson auctions to date. (All information and photos courtesy of Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.)

1 – 1957 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup sold for $214,500 in 2016 (about 6.8 million Baht). Better known as “Quiksilver,” this 2014 Barrett-Jackson Cup winner is considered “one of the finest custom truck builds of all times.

2 – 1950 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup sold for $205,700 in 2017 (about 6.5M Baht). This truck features extensive modifications, including an all-new TCI custom chassis with independent front suspension and a 500-hp Chevy performance engine.

3 – 1958 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup sold for $198,000.00 in 2018 (about 6.3M Baht). It underwent over 1,500 hours of bodywork and fabrication as part of a full frame-off modernization and restoration. 

4 – 1951 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup sold for $187,000 in 2018 (about 5.9M Baht). This beauty graced the cover of Street Trucks magazine in 2015 and has won many awards.

5 – 1957 Chevrolet Cameo Pickup sold for $159,500 in 2007 (about 5.1M Baht). Finished in full custom Orange Pearl paint, this beauty features a 500-hp Big Block Chevy engine and full leather interior.

6 – 1957 Chevrolet C-6 Custom Pickup sold for $148,500 in 2011 (about 4.7M Baht). It took 7,000 hours and thousands of handcrafted parts to build this truck. It won a GM Design award at SEMA 2009 and a Mothers Choice Award at SEMA 2010.

7 – 1955 Chevrolet Cameo Custom Pickup sold for $143,000 in 2013 (about 4.5M Baht). This truck features a tailgate inspired by the 1955 Nomad, 1957 Bel Air side trim, and a red leather interior.

8 – 1969 Chevrolet K10 4x4 Custom Pickup sold for $137,500 in 2019 (about 4.3M Baht). This “short-wide” pickup underwent a complete frame-off restoration with every nut and bolt disassembled and replaced, or restored.

9 – 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Custom Pickup sold for $132,000 in 2006 (about 4.2M Baht). This truck took six years of customization work and has appeared on six magazine covers. Street Trucks Magazine named it one of the top 50 trucks of the 2000s.

10 – 1960 Chevrolet El Camino Custom Pickup sold for $126,500 in 2017 (about 4.0M Baht). Every part of this unusual truck has been customized, from its GM crate engine with fuel-injection system to its leather interior to its highly detailed and painted undercarriage.