Vehicle Description
With a handsome older restoration, this unusual 1947 GMC pickup is
an ideal example of a working truck from the immediate post-war
period. GM redesigned their �-ton pickups in 1941, giving them a
stylish chrome front end that was the pinnacle of art-deco design.
After the war, they picked up where they left off, with great
styling and rugged mechanicals that made these pickups some of the
most handsome and functional machines of their era. And although
these trucks were produced in limited numbers during the war,
civilian versions are quite rare, having been produced only in
1941, 1942, 1946, and 1947 before being replaced by the "Advance
Design" trucks in 1948.
Two-tone combinations work well on these old trucks, and the tan
and brown combination here is familiar yet striking. Fortunately,
it looks great on the truck's handsome sheetmetal, and the
contrasting rounded fenders are a pre-war design, giving this
half-ton a wonderful vintage look. The workmanship on the truck is
appropriate without being over-restored, which never looks right on
a pickup truck, and it will attract attention without looking beat
up. The paint has a lovely soft shine that was undoubtedly
intentional, and the bodywork underneath is straight and clean.
You'll also note a side-mounted spare tire that adds to the
functional look and a n all steel bed that's a surprisingly change
from the usual polished wood dance floors everyone else
installs.
Simple and functional is the theme inside, where a basic bench
seat, rubber floor mat, and a painted steel dashboard are all
standard equipment. The bench has been upgraded with handsome cloth
upholstery, and that's a lot more comfortable for driving than the
original vinyl. Basic steel doors add to the industrial-strength
vibe inside, although they, too, have been upholstered to give it a
more upscale feel. The gauges are all functional, covering all the
basics of engine monitoring, though there is no radio, which was
still an expensive option in 1947. Seat belts with retractors have
been added, which is a nice safety upgrade and they almost look
like they were born there. It has a nice truck-like feel from
behind the giant steering wheel, makes maneuvering the truck easy,
and the shifter falls easily to hand and is easy to master.
Power comes from a 228 cubic inch inline-six that's a little bigger
than the one found in comparable Chevys, and it makes more than
enough torque to move the relatively light truck, even with a heavy
load in the bed. These engines are known for their longevity, and
given even modest care it should run almost indefinitely. Nicely
dressed with signs of care and maintenance through the years, the
engine bay is something you'll be proud to show off, and it runs
just as great as it looks. A new coil, fresh plugs and wires, and a
downdraft carburetor result in easy starting, a smooth idle, and
easy motoring without any hesitation or stuttering, and since it's
entirely stock, maintenance will be easy. The manual transmission
shifts easily, and while it won't win any speed contests, this
truck will always get you to your destination. The undercarriage is
very clean with satin black paint on the chassis, so it doesn't
need any extra maintenance. Painted 15-inch steel wheels with trim
rings and hubcaps wear recent 7.10-15 wide whitewalls for a great
period look.
Trucks are coming into their own as legitimate collector vehicles,
and these attractive GMCs remain highly sought due to their rarity
and nice road manners. Call today!