Vehicle Description
With patina being all the rage today, taking something that looks
old and filling it with fresh mechanicals is an awesome way to have
your cake and eat it, too. The bodywork on this 1950 GMC 5-Window
pickup looks like it's been working the back 40 for decades, but
the slammed stance, updated running gear, and comfortable interior
all suggest that it's been working out in its spare time.
The bodywork is patina, which is to say, it was treated to a shiny
coat of paint at some point, but the goal was to make it look a
little rough around the edges on purpose, and then it was all
covered in clear-coat. Sure, it has some natural bumps and bruises
as well, but with those signs of character and the apropos Rust-Eze
decals channeling it's inner Mater Tow Truck, can you deny that the
look just makes you smile? The combination of gray paint, chips and
scratches, and bare red steel gives it a look of great age, and if
this one was out in a field with the weeds growing around it, it
wouldn't look out of place. But that isn't to say that it looks
bad, because we love the honest curb-appeal and the faux fades in
the finish add to the well-worn, well-loved attitude. Looking
closely, you'll see that the paint hides nothing, but the panel
gaps are good, meaning someone spent some time intentionally making
it look this way, and nothing has been shaved, trimmed, or altered.
Instead, you get a look that will draw a crowd better than any
restoration and a no worries finish that means this truck can go
anywhere, any time without a second thought. Other cool bits
include the blacked-out grille and front bumper, blinding Halo
projector headlights, a black cap on the cabin, the roll-pan and
bumper delete out back, and that raised floor-bed that's been
cleverly finished with what looks like weather-proof decking
materials. They definitely nailed the look.
The comfortable yet basic interior has been nicely restored but not
excessively modified, adding function without losing all that's
great about these trucks. The original bench seat is wrapped in
comfortable brown vinyl and the exposed tubular frame of the seat
gives it a function-over-form look that we love. The blacked-out
dashboard includes aftermarket Shark gauges ahead of the driver, a
trio of auxiliary units just below, and some work (and some don't)
to keep an eye on the warmed-over 350 cubic inch V8 under the hood.
There's a modern Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX radio in the dash, right
where the original would have lived, so no cutting or modifying was
required there, and a late-model GMC steering wheel was added along
with a tilt wheel. Sure, it's not all pretty, but you can use this
one every day and not get tired, which is surely the sign of
quality workmanship.
Power comes via a 5.7L 350 V8 small block, and just like the rest
of the truck, it's been presented in a cool, unique way that will
make it stand out from the crowd. Plus, the added V8 power makes
this pickup more than just interesting to look at, and it makes
enough torque to feel right in the vintage pickup. Fitted with an
Edelbrock 4-barrel carb and matching Edelbrock intake, along with a
few vintage dress-up parts, it looks right under the hood; not too
flashy, but just enough to let you know someone was paying
attention. A big aluminum radiator keeps it cool and a set of
long-tube headers dump into a custom dual exhaust system with
throaty Magnaflow mufflers. Shifts are smooth and this puppy is a
highway cruiser with the help of the 700R4 4-speed automatic
transmission below, and it spins a heavy-duty 10-bolt rear end
that's always up to the task. The ride quality is really great
thanks to upgrades galore, including the independent A-arm set-up
in the front with power steering, power 4-wheel discs at the
corners, and upgraded shocks throughout. It's got an awesome raked
stance on fat, staggered radials, and those red steel wheels with
simple hubcaps are the right old school look.
An incredible illusion or just an incredible truck? How about both?
If you want to attract attention, forget bright red paint and
dainty interiors, this patina-covered pickup is the hot ticket.
Call today!