For consignment, a GMC amalgamation if you will on this restoration, taking liberties with various replaced parts of more modern vehicles particularly on the souped up newer...
For consignment, a GMC amalgamation if you will on this restoration, taking liberties with various replaced parts of more modern vehicles particularly on the souped up newer engine, and suspension. Add in a custom interior, and a wood lined long bed and ladies and gentlemen, we have a really cool GMC truck custom.
Exterior
Starting out as the standard GMC pickup from 1954, all parts were taken off the frame, meticulously restored then put back on. All the body has been dipped in bright and shiny orange with the only deviation being the chrome peppered throughout the body. The large chrome iconic GMC badge is perched atop of the chrome horizontal barred grille and is making us very aware of the original manufacturer, and it is all truck. The bulbous hood rests between the soon to be gone pontoon style fenders and has a snappy custom touch with louvers cut into the sides where GMC badging once did reside. Black trimmings highlight the crystal clear cab glass and more chrome for the mirrors on the front side of the cab just before the door panels, and we see wonderfully curved B pillar windows inserted between the door glass and then rear glass. On the back, curved steel fenders wrap around the rear tires and finished in more orange. Mounted on the frame is now a beautifully crafted new oak bed, with metal separators, and black trimmings surrounding the bed top along with bows to support the tonneau. A large orange storage box occupies the front of the bed and the curvy chrome rear bumper hangs below the tailgate. Burnt orange steel wheels with mirror like moon caps are on all 4 corners, just to show off even more with their mix of Michelin front radials and BF Goodrich rear radials all in 15-inch format.
Interior
As any artisan who takes on a project as such would do, we open the doors and already we are over the top with marbled orange and black carpeted panels accenting the cranks and door pulls. Cranks and handles are excellent, and surrounding metal edging is painted tan on the sills and orange on the bottoms. As we take our wandering eyes into the passenger compartment, we are greeted with an overstuffed tan and saddle bench seat which fill the interior space from door to door. Custom dark saddle headrests have been added and now it all looks just beautiful. Continuing to the front, the original steel dash setup has been retained, but now presents in orange with a wood burl insert for the mix of VDO and SW gauges in front of the driver. Vintage Air and heat has been added in the custom highly lacquered wood panel mounted to the bottom of the dash and shares space with an AM/FM/CD stereo and a Sun tachometer. Due to the 12-volt conversion, the windshield wipers are now electrified, with no more vacuum to rely on. A long stick shifter rises from the pristine Mercedes tan wool carpet and has a black top knob. Fronting the dash is a brown tilt column, and saddle leather rimmed steering wheel atop. A shout out to the headliner which is now brown vinyl and appears as a faux leather patterned piece of tight vinyl with the custom cowboy hat rack neatly installed. Keep it simple is the mantra for this truck and it works wonderfully throughout.
Drivetrain
A 350ci Chevrolet engine now graces the dusty but restored engine bay. It codes out as circa 1969 to 1979 and is certainly all buttoned up with its black twin snorkel air cleaner assembly and black valve covers. Inside a few mods have been added in the form of a mild cam and an Edelbrock intake is fed by a 4-barrel carburetor. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission pushes power from the mill rearward to a 12-bolt rear axle. Oh, and lest I forget the train horns added in the engine bay to clear the path in front of you.
Undercarriage
A totally restored black painted rust free frame is noted underneath. Bolted to this is a police cruiser front clip with coil spring independent suspension and on the back is a leaf spring set up. Power discs upfront, and power drums for the rear, and also a stock style dual exhaust is seen working its way rearward. Wood is near perfect just as above, and there are no runs, drips, or errors near the transmission and engine underside.
Drive-Ability
This post war cruising truck fired right up, and it was off to the test track where it handled all tasks put before it just swimmingly. Great acceleration, good handling for a truck, and plenty of stopping power. Steering was very smooth, and the transmission shifted effortlessly. All comfortable and all working on the interior control fronts. A great cruiser with a nice exhaust tune.
A full restoration done with obvious passion, and usage of nifty complementary colors, and a new clean wood lined bed on the back. A scrumptious interior with the overstuffed seats and perfect dash and carpet, and air, heat and defrost. Turn the key and drive away to do some work, or just cruise around and turn some heads!