Chevrolet C/K 1973-1991 Market Analysis — June 2026
Executive Summary
The Chevrolet C/K 1973-1991 market remains stable, with a slight year-over-year price decline of 0.2%. The current average asking price of $21,535 suggests a consistent demand for these classic vehicles, particularly in the 1980s models. An actionable insight is to focus on the 1986 model year, which has the highest sales volume, indicating strong buyer interest.
Market Snapshot
- Current inventory: 292 active listings
- Median asking price: $15,900 (historical median: $19,800)
- Price trend: Stable (-0.2% YoY)
- Market velocity: 40 days average time on market
PRICE TRENDS & APPRECIATION
The quarterly trends indicate a stable market with fluctuations in median prices. For instance, Q1 2026 saw a median price of $30,000, while Q2 2026 dropped to $26,000. This suggests a temporary price dip after a peak, but overall, the market has not shown significant appreciation or depreciation over the past year. The average price in Q2 2026 was $31,088, which is higher than the historical average, indicating potential for stability in pricing.
Auction Market Dynamics
The sell-through rate stands at 63.6%, which indicates a reasonably healthy auction market. A total of 547 vehicles were sold, while 310 remained unsold. The median price for sold vehicles was $19,800, compared to a median price of $24,995 for removed listings, suggesting that sellers may have unrealistic expectations. The gap between sold and unsold prices indicates that buyers are willing to pay less than what some sellers are asking, highlighting a potential reserve gap.
Configuration Value Guide
The body style breakdown shows that Pickup configurations command an average price of $25,834, while Regular Cab configurations average $19,298. The 1986 model year, with 33 listings, has an average price of $18,639, indicating it is a sought-after configuration. In contrast, the 1975 model year, despite having a higher average price of $65,917, has only 6 listings, suggesting rarity rather than demand.
Mileage Impact
Mileage significantly impacts pricing, with vehicles under 50,000 miles averaging $25,684, while those over 100,000 miles average only $12,646. This indicates that buyers are willing to pay a premium of approximately $13,038 for lower mileage vehicles, emphasizing the importance of mileage in valuation.
Regional Pricing
Geographic distribution reveals that the West has the most listings (151) with an average price of $18,654, while the Midwest has the lowest average price at $14,748. This suggests potential arbitrage opportunities for buyers in the Midwest looking to sell in higher-priced regions like the West or South, where average prices are $21,912.
Market Health Indicators
The average days on market is 40, with 66 new listings this week and 72 listings experiencing price reductions. This indicates a balanced supply and demand scenario, although the number of price reductions suggests some listings may be overpriced. The sell-through rate of 63.6% further supports the notion of a healthy market, as a majority of listings are selling.
Investment Outlook
Given the stable trend direction and slight year-over-year price decline, the Chevrolet C/K 1973-1991 can be viewed as a stable asset class. While not appreciating significantly, it is not depreciating either, making it a reasonable hold for collectors and investors.
Buying Recommendations
Potential buyers should focus on the 1986 model year, particularly those with lower mileage, as they command higher prices and have shown strong sales. Target price ranges for vehicles under 50,000 miles should be around $25,000 to $30,000, while those over 100,000 miles should be approached with caution, ideally under $15,000. Buyers should be aware of the reserve gap in auctions and consider bidding below the median asking prices to secure better deals.
This analysis is generated from CarSearch.Pro's market database (899 historical sales, 292 active listings across 14 marketplaces) and refreshed automatically. It is market commentary, not financial advice.