1988 Chevrolet K1500 Silverado 4x4 short bed, original NC truck bid at $3,000 with 11 days left

Why we picked it

Why we picked it: the 1988 K1500 was the first year of GM's GMT400 "OBS" trucks, and the regular-cab short-bed 4x4 is the configuration buyers want. This one has the 350 TBI V8, a four-speed automatic and a part-time two-speed transfer case. The seller says it is garage kept, unmodified, has an accident-free CARFAX, starts easily, runs well and the 4WD works, and it comes with a clean North Carolina title.

At $3,000 the current bid is far below the $11,300 to $27,000 that similar original short-bed K1500s brought in the last few months. The auction does not end until November 2, so expect the price to climb, but it is a good one to watch if you want a straight, honest OBS 4x4 to build on.

The value check

When we found it, the bid was $4,000. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $11,300–$27,000, so the middle of the market is about $19,150. That put this car 79% under.

Unmodified 1988-97 K1500 regular-cab short beds with 84k-268k miles sold for $11,300 to $27,000 from July to October 2026 (BaT, GAA, Barrett-Jackson). The $3,000 bid is about 84% under the $19,150 midpoint, but this auction runs to Nov 2 and bids usually climb.

Where the numbers come from:

• BaT 1990 K1500 Silverado short bed, 100k mi, $27,000 (Sep 2026)
• GAA 1990 K1500 Silverado short bed, 117k mi, $13,500 (Jul 2026)
• BaT 1997 K1500 Silverado short bed, 118k mi, $11,300 (Aug 2026)
• BaT 1992 K1500 Silverado Z71 short bed, 84k mi, $24,000 (Oct 2026)

What to check

• The seller lists undercarriage oxidation; check frame rails, rocker panels, cab corners and the bed floor for rot
• 146,700 indicated miles: ask for service records on the 350 TBI and the 700R4/4L60 automatic, which is the weak link in these trucks
• Check the front axle actuator (vacuum/electric shift on early GMT400s) and transfer case for leaks and proper engagement
• First-year 1988 trucks have some one-year parts; confirm dash, brake booster and trim pieces are present before you bid
• Reserve status is not stated on the page

Making it drive like new

A 1988 K1500 is a natural starting point for a light restomod: a 5.3 or 6.0 LS swap with a 4L80E or 4L60E, a modern disc-brake and master cylinder upgrade, Bilstein 5100 shocks, and an updated wiring harness keep the OBS look while making it a reliable daily 4x4.

3 builders make a complete chassis for the 1988–98 OBS C1500 pickup. Compare them side by side, along with what it takes to stiffen the factory frame.

How it ended

Bidding reached $12,800 but the car didn't sell (ended Nov 2, 2026). Unsold cars often get relisted, so it may turn up again.