1973-1987 Chevy C/K Square Body

The Chevrolet Square Body is the last old-school American truck — simple, solid, and infinitely fixable. The design ran for 14 years with only incremental changes, which means parts interchange across the entire run.

The square styling that gives these trucks their nickname was revolutionary in 1973 and still looks purposeful today. They were workhorses when new, and the survivors are either beat to hell or lovingly maintained.

The K-series 4x4 trucks, especially short-bed models, have become the hottest segment in the collector truck market. A clean 1987 K10 Silverado can sell for more than it cost new, adjusted for inflation.

These trucks age honestly. Original two-tone paint schemes with surface rust and patina look period-correct. The chrome bumpers pit but rechrome well.

Watch for cab corner rust, rocker panels, and the area behind the rear wheels — these are the killers. A truck with good body panels and rusty frame can be saved; a truck with rusty body panels is expensive to repair.

The 4x4 trucks command premiums but also have more wear points. The diesel models (6.2L) are rare and increasingly sought after.

This is the most DIY-friendly truck ever made. Every mechanical system is simple, documented, and replaceable with hand tools. The 350 small-block is the most supported engine in automotive history.

LMC Truck and Classic Industries have complete catalogs. The TH350 and TH400 transmissions are bulletproof. Modern upgrades — fuel injection, disc brakes, modern stereos — install easily without permanent modification.

These trucks are also still working trucks in rural America, so mechanics know them intimately.