Vehicle Description
This 1955 GMC 3100 Big Window pickup is one of those trucks that
people instantly fall in love with. Dressed in black, featuring a
'58 Apache front clip, a desirable stepside bed, and awesome custom
interior, it's a vintage hauler unlike any other. Spliced with
Cadillac DNA under the hood, it's a one-of-a-kind build unlike
anything we've seen before, and with a host of choice options and
killer good looks, we can't seem to figure out why. Made up of
various parts of a 3100/Cadillac/Apache, this pickup manages to
look 100% right, thanks to upgrades at every turn.
This truck goes way beyond simple work-truck hauler, and even back
in the '50s, GM revolutionized the industry with the crazy idea
that workmen wanted attractive vehicles, too. So, while a lot of
them were driven right into the ground, this handsome pickup
received a rather interesting rejuvenation that includes a few
skillful custom bits and a lot of professional work to make it
smooth and shiny. The '58 Apache front clip fits flawlessly and
blends into the rest of the Task Force truck like it always
belonged, while the custom bed out back is more luxury lounge than
workhorse. Fit and finish are fairly good overall, although this
truck has been driven and enjoyed for a few years since the build
was completed, so the shiny black paint is not without
imperfections. It's a driver, but it comes by all its flaws
honestly - wearing them as proof that the former owners simply
loved taking it out in the streets on a regular basis. A bright
chrome grille and bumper was fitted up front, while a custom
louvered tailgate anchors the rear, just above that cleverly
intergraded rear bumper that was swapped-in from a G-Body El
Camino. And who can argue with how cool this Big Window looks? The
windows were given a dark tint to accentuate the street rod stance,
and the bed was fully rebuilt with lightly varnished wood, polished
stainless rub rails, and super-cool interior walls lined with
durable, custom vinyl panels that look like they were borrowed from
a vintage Rock-and-Roll club.
With the original truck sporting plain vinyl, rubber, and steel
interior materials, the custom makeover inside this GMC gives it a
much flashier, edgier demeanor. A reshaped and very comfortable
bench seat has been wrapped in the same red vinyl-and-chrome button
patterns found on the bed walls, and when matched with the chrome
accents on the seat frame, door panels, and dash, sitting in the
cabin feels like putting on a rockabilly leather jacket. Black
carpets and heavy-duty mats help control noise and heat and the
door panels are all steel and chrome. The dashboard, even when it
was stock, was striking in a pickup truck and has now been upgraded
with a chrome gauge cluster filled with black-faced Mallory
instruments that keep an eye on the big Cadillac motor under the
hood. Speaking of Cadillac, a vintage Caddy steering wheel was
transplanted inside and mounted atop a tilt column, and it's joined
on the dash by a retro Kenwood AM/FM/Cassette stereo and equalizer
set-up, along with an underdash A/C unit below. There are signs of
use inside, and frankly a nice detail would probably go a long way
in improving aesthetics, but as far a comfort and character, you
won't find much better in a vintage pickup.
The engine is a transplanted 501 Cadillac V8, which was swapped-in
along with a Cadillac automatic transmission, giving this truck a
unique, powerful, and very smooth drivetrain. Topped with a Holley
4-barrel carburetor, an Accel HEI ignition, Edelbrock air cleaner,
and chrome valve covers, the block practically looks like it
belongs, and although it's a bit grimy things like the
steel-braided hoses and big aluminum radiator show that this truck
was built to be driven and enjoyed from Day 1.Backed by a TH400
3-speed automatic transmission and a heavy-duty 12-bolt rear with
relatively friendly gears inside, it's a superlative highway
cruiser. Up front there's a modern front clip upgraded shocks, a
sway bar, power disc brakes and power steering, while out back
there are heavy-duty springs and Monroe shocks, while a custom dual
exhaust system with chambered mufflers sounds wonderful. The stance
is just about perfect, with a lot of the credit going to the
TrueSpoke wire-wheels and 225/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A white-letter
radials all around.
Built very with an interesting list of ingredients, this '55 GMC is
for the classic car lover that loves to drive. Call today!
