Vehicle Description
This unique 1983 GMC C3500 utility truck is a whole lot of
practicality wrapped up in a great-looking package - a combination
not often found on heavy-duty vehicles of this kind. Imagine towing
your prized hot rod behind this Square Body or pulling up in it to
bid on a job, it would garner all the attention. It's so bright and
shiny, fresh off of a frame-off restoration and featuring a slick
new paint job on the lifted body and bed, a comfortable A/C
interior, and a powerful 5.7L V8 and upgraded suspension. Put it to
work or go show it off, either way this dually is built to
impress.
We used to call trucks like this these "street strechers" because
they were a great choice to rescue or haul a vintage car or hot
rod, hence the rescue-like "stretcher" nickname. Today, we're
seeing more and more vintage haulers at shows, either as show
pieces themselves or as vehicles that haul the actual show cars.
But in all honestly, we've never really seen a flat-bed dually
restored to this level, Sure, you'll see a vintage stake-bed truck
pop here and there to help promote a business or car collection,
but it's usually not wise to put those rigs back to work. However,
this 'Rounded-Line' GMC is set-up to handle as much blue-collar
action as you're prepared to throw at it. Finished in bright white
on the cab and black on the flat bed, it's somewhat low-key, but
that way it doesn't take away from whatever you put on the back.
The paint and bodywork are fresh, and it shows, and it's obvious
that not a ton of bodywork was needed during the frame-off
restoration. The result is a finish that's smooth to the touch and
presents very well, further punctuated by the cab lights on the
roof and oversized side mirrors at the flanks. During the build,
the body was lifted by an inch for better clearance, all the glass
and subsequent hardware was replaced, the heavy-duty bumpers, brush
guard, and headache rack were all painted black, and the steel
diamond-plate flatbed was finished in black as well. On that bed
you'll find a custom toolbox with slide-out drawers, an oversized
auxiliary gas tank with its own pump, and a removable low-profile
5th wheel hitch set-up that can handle the weight of a commercial
trailer. It's not perfect and sparkling, you'll never hesitate to
get this GMC out and get it dirty doing some real work, although it
shouldn't be mistaken for some roughneck either.
The fully-restored interior is the same as most GM pickups of the
era: simple and well-designed. There's a new gray cloth-and-vinyl
seat cover, and a new matching black dash pad and door panels, so
it's far from crude, yet with a 1-piece, heavy-duty molded
polyvinyl mat on the floor, it doesn't mind if you get dirty doing
some work. Original gauges ahead of the driver cover the basics,
auxiliary switches for the pump and fans are below to the right,
and to the left you'll find a Prodigy trailer brake controller for
easy access when something's hooked-on out back. That steering
wheel looks to be from a newer generation and has an accompanying
spinner for those tough wide angles, and most of the bare metal
lining the cab and bottom portion of the dash was painted white to
match the exterior finish. Entertainment comes from a Pioneer
AM/FM/CD/AUX/Bluetooth stereo that powers new speakers in the
factory slots, so long hauls are never boring, and shoulder belts
add safety for both the driver and passenger.
Pulling this heavy rig is a more-than-capable, easy to work on 5.7L
V8, aka the venerable 350 SBC V8. Topped with a performance intake
and Holley 650CFM 4-barrel carburetor, it runs great and cranks
right up, and thanks to dual gas tanks underneath it can go all day
without stopping. A few chrome pieces like the air cleaner and
valve cover brighten things up inside the otherwise blacked-out
engine bay, and with a power front disc brake and power steering
set-up it's actually a joy to drive as well. A TH350 3-speed
automatic transmission augmented with an HD torque convertor
handles everything the small block can throw at it, and it's so
fresh the next owner won't have to worry about it for years.
Underneath are new parts galore, including a beefy suspension with
new A-arms, ball joints, shocks, and 10k-pound springs fore and
aft, and the factory-style dual exhaust is fresh too, giving this
hauler a wonderful soundtrack. The giant 14-bolt rear end can
handle the big torque curve and all that added weight out back, and
with all new bearing and 4.11 gears, it's ready to get to work
right away. Stock GMC alloy wheels add to the factory look, and the
white-letter Nexen radials at all four corners look great.
For not a lot of cash, you're getting a heck of a lot of truck. Put
it to work or use it to play, but either way, this GMC gets the job
done. Call today!
