A 60 Year Family Legacy: The Carey Brothers’ Classic 1965 GMC Truck
Photos & Story by Jerry Hutchcroft
Lucky Luciano’s Custom Paint (602-906-1313) in Phoenix recently completed the body prep and applied a stunning one-off dark blue paint job to this classic GMC. Other than that—plus new bed slats and a white leather upgrade to the original bench seat—this truck remains completely bone stock.
Chris and his brother Cory Carey, originally from Iowa and now living in Arizona, inherited the truck as a family heirloom. Their great-grandfather, Ted Bjorkland, bought it brand new in South Dakota for $2,837.50. For years, it served as a dependable farm truck, with occasional trips into town for supplies. The odometer still shows just 58,035 original miles.
Brant Carey, the brothers’ father, learned to drive this truck on the family farm at just 10 years old. Eventually, it was passed down to him—and now, to Chris and Cory, who are dedicated to preserving its history.
This GMC is a basic half-ton long bed model, equipped with a 305 cubic-inch V6—a smooth-running, torque-heavy, and incredibly durable engine from that era. It features a four-speed manual transmission, complete with the rarely-used “granny” low gear. Impressively, the engine, transmission, and rear end have never been rebuilt and remain completely original.
Chris went the extra mile to restore the truck’s character. He had the bench seat frame fully restored and powder-coated before reupholstering it in white leather. He also personally refinished the original wooden bed slats, sanding them down and applying a custom gray stain. To complete the bed restoration, he installed new stainless steel floor slats, adding a sleek finishing touch.
With over 60 years of family history, this truck is far more than just a classic—it’s a tribute to generations of Careys who have driven, worked, and made memories in it. Chris and Cory wouldn’t have it any other way.
