Vehicle Description
We see a lot of Chevy pickups, but relatively few GMCs, and as a
result, this 1973 GMC 1500 High Sierra Grande 454 is a rather
unusual find. A little more upscale than its Chevy siblings, this
one includes a rare, thumping 454 big block V8, a solid list of
comfort and convenience options, and a beautifully restored overall
presentation that features only 121K actual miles since new,
catapulting its status as a future collectable.
1973 was the first offering of the 3rd generation 'Rounded Line'
pickups, and considered by many a fantastic year that combines the
killer good looks left over from the 'Action Line' trucks before,
and the 'Square Body' haulers that came next. Decked out in what is
very likely all-original Catalina Blue paint, this low-slung,
'Fleetside', shortbed pickup really looks like a million bucks in
person. We don't often see original paint that still shines up this
nice, but when you consider the low mileage and account for the
level of care this Texas truck has been exposed to since new,
things start to make sense. Trucks rarely led easy lives and in
1973 not a lot of guys were buying vehicles like this as
collectors' items, so finding one that wasn't worked hard is none
too easy. Go over it carefully and there's no evidence that it was
ever wrecked or rusty and the squared-off look of these trucks will
remain popular for decades to come. It's not perfect, there are
some signs of use as any reasonable individual should suspect after
50 years of life on the road, but it's a top driver-quality rig
through-and-through, with off-the-charts curb appeal and a
laser-straight body still set to factory specs. The regular
cab/short bed combination is the one to own if you want to drive
and enjoy your pickup, making for a more maneuverable package that
feels just about the right size pulling into the Home Depot parking
lot. That six-foot bed is in remarkably good condition overall,
outfitted with a thick mat on the floorboard and protected with a
vinyl tonneau cover over the top that keeps cargo out of the
elements. This GMC was ordered with the 'Cheyenne Super' trim level
(the highest level you could order in 1973), and that comes
equipped with bright, two-tone molding that encircles the truck,
bright chrome bumpers fore and aft, and a slick piece of tailgate
trim out back. Other dress-up pieces include the chrome side
mirrors, a deep-set grille that looks practically new, and
block-letter 'GMC' and '454' badges that let everybody know what
time it is before they tussle with this truck.
A matching, original Slate Blue interior is a nice combination of
working-class functionality and luxury, offering a fresh cloth and
vinyl seat cover that wears like iron, reasonably plush new carpets
that make the GMC feel quieter and more luxurious inside, and
Cheyenne Super aluminum and woodgrain trim that brightens things up
and makes the cab feel considerably more upscale. Options include
ice cold factory A/C, tilt wheel, seatbelts, and an upgraded Alpine
AM/FM/CD/AUX stereo, plus a full array of bright factory gauges set
inside that period-perfect, wood-trimmed bezel. A new dash-pad
coverlay fits neatly over the original dashboard and sets the tone
inside, there's a taut original headliner above, and with a column
shifter, there's plenty of room for three-across seating in a
pinch. The Cheyenne Super spec door panels at the flanks are also
remarkably well-preserved, upgraded speakers were installed at the
bottoms of the doors, and with that perfect blend of original and
freshened components inside, this is one of those rare trucks where
you can climb in and instantly feel like you've been driving it all
your life.
Power comes from a super-rare, factory 454 V8 big block engine
nestled under the hood. The engine bay is incredibly clean and
offers original parts like the snorkeled air cleaner, a set of
chrome valve covers, and Chevy Orange enamel on the block itself.
An Edelbrock aluminum intake with a good old Rochester 4-barrel
carburetor give it snappy throttle response and plenty of torque
for doing 'trucky' things, and with fat long-tube headers feeding
into an H-pipe dual exhuast with throaty Dynamax mufflers below, it
sounds exactly like a big block should. The truck's originality is
highlighted by the original jack and tire iron still living under
the hood, along with the original A/C system that was converted to
R134a refrigerant. A TH400 3-speed automatic transmission provides
reliability and an unobtrusive demeanor and the original,
heavy-duty 12-bolt rear end still hangs on factory leaf springs, so
it doesn't mind doing a little hauling now and then, although with
3.07 gearing back there it can easily hit the highway as well.
Factory Rally wheels look especially good on these low-slung
trucks, with this pickup carrying big 275/60/15 BFGoodrich
white-letter truck radials that finish the look perfectly.
We never seem to be able to keep these in stock anyway, but when
coupled with the rarity of a factory big block, low original miles,
and original provenance that includes the factory buildsheet,
glovebox options sticker, and original owner's manual, there's
simply no way this beauty lasts long. Call today!
