Like a Merlot Wine Getting Better with Time - a 1965 Chevy C10 Pickup

Like a Merlot Wine Getting Better with Time - a 1965 Chevy C10 Pickup

Posted by D. Brian Smith on Nov 20th 2024

On any given weekday or Saturday at the Classic Industries' Retail Showroom parking lot, one can appreciate several vintage American muscle cars and trucks, whose owners are either loading up parts in their hobby cars. Or they're waiting inside the showroom to pickup their selection of automotive components to replace worn or missing parts on their rides.

Classic Car Affinity Began with Cadillacs

Classic Industries' customer Chris Dimitrijevic, of Tustin, CA, is a prime example of an American muscle truck owner whose 1965 Chevrolet C10 was spending some quality time reposing in the Surf City sun in the CI parking lot while Chris was picking up some parts for his pristine pickup. After finding him in the store, Chris shared that his love for vintage cars began in his childhood, inspired by his dad's Fleetwood and Coupe de Ville Cadillac vehicles.

Classic Chevy C10s Now Captivate Chris

As with many auto enthusiasts, he has developed a particular fondness for classic Chevy C10s. Over the last year, Chris has owned three of them. One met an untimely fate in an accident (that wasn't his fault). One he sold on a whim. While in Pomona, CA one day he wrote a for sale sign on a napkin that a father-son duo spied in the windshield. The next thing Chris knew, he was Uber-ing home and already plotting his next C10 hunting expedition.

The Blue Beauty 

From much time surfing the interwebs on sights like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace, Chris finally discovered this white over blue beauteous 1965 Chevy C10. She was delivered to him on August 5, 2024. Originating from a collection in a Sonoma County winery, this pickup was previously owned by a man named Glyenn, who boasts over 30 classic cars in his stable.

The C10 was created by Sonoma County Street Rodz, and built by Jeff Costa. Boasting a robust air ride system built from scratch, complete with a larger C-notch and cupped lowered A-arms, the mods to the frame are impressive. Chris has also selected an AccuAir E-Level management system with height and air pressure sensors, allowing the truck to lay frame once he installs the front fender kit from SimpleC10 and GMSS FAB.

Performance Meets Style 

Revealed under the hood is an LQ4 engine sourced from a 2014 Chevy 2500. This GEN 4, 6.0-liter mill is bone stock and offers more horsepower and torque than the pickup will ever need. The C10's classic stance is further enhanced by staggered 15x8-inch and 15x9-inch wheels, which perfectly balances style, performance, and a large dosage of pickup panache.

An Interior to Admire, Be Comfortable, & Get Down to Business In

Within the cab, Chris chose an OCC black carpet kit with floor mats and a TMI bench seat, ensuring comfort and style. Currently, Shark Series gauges by Dolphin monitor the pickup's vitals. Yet, Chris is eagerly awaiting the delivery of Dakota Digital RTX gauges, expected to enhance the truck's modern feel without erasing her classic appeal.

Parts Unlimited Interiors & the Chevy C10 Pickup

You'll find many interior items to choose from for the 1965 Chevrolet C10 pickup on the PUI website. Before you know it, you might have the most comfortable C10 interior around.