Unrestored 1989 Chevrolet R2500 Cheyenne Crew Cab: A 37-Year-Old Survivor in Flame Red

Chevrolet’s truck naming history has never been a model of clarity, and the late 1980s only deepened the confusion. As the third-generation C/K lineup wound down, the division split its pickups into two alphabets: R for two-wheel drive and V for four-wheel drive. That changeover, which ran from 1987 through 1991, means even sellers occasionally mislabel their own trucks — as happens here, where the listing calls this rig a K20 while also noting it drives only the rear wheels. What’s actually on offer is a 1989 Chevrolet R2500 3+3 Cheyenne Crew Cab, located in Edgewood, Washington, with an asking price of $13,500.

The truck itself is a striking piece of late-square-body design. Its four-door Fleetside body stretches roughly 20.5 feet bumper to bumper, and the seller maintains the Flame Red finish is factory-original — a bold claim after 37 years. There is one visible flaw: paint flaking on the right rear corner of the bumper, likely the result of a parking mishap in a vehicle that predates backup cameras by decades and offers precious little rearward visibility. Elsewhere the body presents cleanly, and the seller has even provided underside photographs, an unusual level of documentation for a craigslist listing.

Inside, the cabin shows a handful of dash cracks but otherwise holds up well. The 3+3 designation, badged on the B-pillar alongside Cheyenne trim markers, refers to seating for three passengers up front and three in the rear. The drivetrain pairs Chevrolet’s 350-cubic-inch OHV V8 — originally rated at 210 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque — with a three-speed automatic rather than the four-speed manual that a purist might prefer. The seller reports a new fuel pump and fresh tires.

If the paint truly is original, this truck qualifies as a genuine survivor rather than a restored example, and that distinction matters to collectors. The R/V transition years remain a niche within the broader square-body following, but clean, unmolested crew cabs in two-wheel drive have their own devoted audience. At $13,500, the asking price sits within reach of enthusiasts who value originality over show-field perfection.