THIS 1968 CHEVROLET K10 IS A SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE WORKHORSE
For many years, comfort and style weren't part of the recipe for a successful truck. In 1955, Chevrolet introduced the Cameo, a pickup that had all the creature comforts of a passenger car, a new chassis design, and Chevy’s new 265-cu.in. V-8 engine. Despite the allure of the plush pickup, the American people still wanted a rugged truck that was devoid of unnecessary frills. The 1968 Chevrolet K10 on these pages used a no-nonsense approach to getting the job done back in the day, and it’s now a beautifully restored example of the utility that truck owners demanded during a much simpler time.
Chevrolet rolled out a brand-new body and chassis in 1967 and carried it through 1972, with minor changes executed each year to refine the appearance and performance, but owners could still opt for a stripped-down version to fit their needs. During this time, Chevrolet also had a relatively new platform called the K10, which was a four-wheel-drive version of its popular half-ton pickup truck. Chevrolet started manufacturing its own four-wheel-drive axle and suspension system in 1960, after seeing the capabilities of the special trucks that were converted to four-wheel drive by Northwest Auto Parts Company (NAPCO). Typically, the NAPCO-converted trucks were used by the U.S. Forest Service or other entities that needed to access areas off the beaten path, but General Motors saw an opportunity to offer these capable trucks to the general public.
Despite the new and exciting platform, sales were very soft for early four-wheel-drive trucks. Even into the late 1960s, just a few thousand K10s hit the streets or farm roads of America each year, compared to more than a quarter-million C10 two-wheel-drive pickups. Production records show that only 1,449 K10s were built with a 6½ -foot fleetside bed in 1968, making our featured example an unusual combination that stood the test of time. Many others were used, abused, and often left for dead in a local junkyard. It’s obvious that this truck was treated nicely throughout its ownership history, although it likely had some tough days on the job.
It all started in September of 1967, when John Vikturek set out to buy a new truck. He lived in Barrett, Minnesota, a town with approximately 340 residents. Barrett didn’t have any of its own dealerships, but a neighboring town, Hoffman, gave him a reputable option. Sanders Chevrolet and Implement Company served the area, selling 10-15 vehicles a year, most of which were trucks for farming use. John didn’t want any frills, just a tough truck that could get him through mud or snow if needed. What he got was this incredibly basic pickup, a 1968 Chevrolet K10 half-ton four-wheel drive, which features a 115-inch wheelbase, a fleetside bed, and hardly any options.
The truck rolled out of the factory in code 505 Dark Green paint, and featured Argent Silver on the grille and bumpers. Inside, a black rubber mat offered easy clean-up. John didn’t need a radio or cigarette lighter, so he got a small credit for those items on the truck’s final price. For power, the standard 250-cu.in. inline six-cylinder engine was sufficient, and it was backed by Chevrolet’s standard column-shifted, three-speed manual transmission and a two-speed transfer case. With a 3.73:1 final drive ratio, it had a great balance of low-end pulling power and highway manners. John used the truck regularly, until his death in 1975 at the age of 77. From there, the K10 was sold locally and eventually landed at an apple orchard in central Minnesota where it spent many years. The truck was then sold to an individual in Houghton, Michigan, but returned to Minnesota around 2010, when Matt Field bought it.
“I’m a sucker for survivor cars and trucks,” Matt says. The Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, native has a collection of early Camaros, including a 240-mile COPO with serious drag racing history, but he has also owned several C10s and K10s trucks through the years. Matt proceeded to tear the truck down and replace what was needed, while preserving the parts that were in good working order. Surprisingly, the engine and drivetrain were in excellent shape, so some simple freshening put it back into service.
Despite the harsh winters, the body had nothing more than typical rust issues in the rocker panels, cab corners, tailgate, and lower portion of the radiator support and inner fenders. Matt repaired those panels using NOS components and straightened the rest of the body. Fat Lips Restoration in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, handled the paintwork, laying down the PPG acrylic enamel for the proper vintage look. Sanding and buffing brought the paint to a slick finish with a deep gloss. NOS emblems finished off the exterior.
Local Cut and Sew Shop, also in Detroit Lakes, installed new SMS factory replacement vinyl/cloth seat material on the bench seat. The interior was repainted in Medium Green, but Matt chose to leave the inner roof panel and glovebox door in its original paint. This allowed him to retain the original four-wheel-drive operating instruction decal and locking hub instruction decal, which were in excellent condition. The paint on these surfaces was also flawless, so it was a fun idea that retained some of this truck’s soul. The sun visors are also original.
The only items that were not original when Matt acquired the truck were the tires and wheels, as a previous owner had swapped the original 15x5.5-inch wheels for a set of GM Truck Rally wheels for a wider footprint. Matt wanted the original look, so he sourced a set of original 16-inch steel wheels, which were a factory option, and ordered a set of STA Super Traxion tires, sized at 750-16 for the proper stance. Underneath, Matt only replaced what was necessary, and gave the chassis and suspension the correct colors and finishes.
Moving South
When Matt finished the truck, he kept it in his collection, where it was stored alongside his other Chevrolet treasures. After several years passed, an opportunity came up to do some horse trading on a low-mileage 1969 Camaro Z/28. Ultimately, his immaculate K10 made its way to Greg Rogers in Woodbury, Tennessee. Greg has a thing for 1967-1972 Chevrolet trucks, and the K10 made a great addition to his stable of cars and trucks, most of which are moderately customized.
“My favorite part of this truck is the style, simplicity, and uniqueness,” Greg says. He drives it on a regular basis, and at the time of the photo shoot, the odometer read 64,349 miles. It rides and drives as you’d expect with solid axles, leaf springs, and bias-ply tires, but it’s surprisingly docile on the road. Greg’s appreciation of the utilitarian qualities of the truck sparked his curiosity about its origins. He first thought it could’ve been used by the U.S. Forest Service, as the color and configuration seemed to agree with that notion. However, his findings at Sanders Chevrolet and Implement Company revealed that all vehicles were sold to the public and not through government contract. Despite its lack of Forestry history, a Smokey Bear license plate fits the bill.
Since buying the truck, Greg has also shown it at several classic truck shows, and even took home the Best 1967-1972 Truck Award at the Southeastern Truck Nationals with 1,700 other trucks in attendance. The K10 commands attention wherever it goes because of the rare four-wheel-drive configuration with a short fleetside bed. And while it is much slicker and cleaner than it ever was during its years of daily service, the truck pays homage to the values of a Minnesota man who just wanted good truck that could get the job done at a reasonable price. There are very few of these early K10s still surviving in such original form, and this one is certainly a fine example of simplicity and style.