Vehicle Description
1954 GMC 5-Window Pickup
When comparing same size Chevy and GMC frames of the same year,
most people are unaware that the GMC frame is longer than the Chevy
frames. This is to accommodate the longer motor. Remember that GMC
engines were truck engines and not car engines adapted to trucks.
Full pressure oiling and inset bearings from 1939 make a GMC a
truck. The front cross member of a GMC is totally different from a
Chevy truck due to the above. GMC motors will not fit into a Chevy
truck without a short water pump added. GMC engines were either
Avocado, Dark Green or GMC Red depending upon the year.
For consignment, a GMC amalgamation if you will on this
restoration, taking liberties with various replaced parts of more
modern vehicles particularly on the souped up newer engine, and
suspension. Add in a custom interior, and a wood lined long bed and
ladies and gentlemen, we have a really cool GMC truck custom.
Exterior
Starting out as the standard GMC pickup from 1954, all parts were
taken off the frame, meticulously restored then put back on. All
the body has been dipped in bright and shiny orange with the only
deviation being the chrome peppered throughout the body. The large
chromeiconic GMC badge is perched atop of the chrome horizontal
barred grille and is making us very aware of the original
manufacturer, and it is all truck. The bulbous hood rests between
the soon to be gone pontoon style fenders and has a snappy custom
touch with louvers cut into the sides where GMC badging once did
reside. Black trimmings highlight the crystal clear cab glass and
more chrome for the mirrors on the frontside of the cab just before
the door panels, and we see wonderfully curved B pillar windows
inserted between the door glass and then rear glass. On the back,
curved steel fenders wrap around the rear tires and finished in
more orange. Mounted on the frame is now a beautifully crafted new
oak bed, with metal separators, and black trimmings surrounding the
bed top along with bows to support the tonneau. A large orange
storage box occupies the front of the bed and the curvy chrome rear
bumper hangs below the tailgate. Burnt orange steel wheels with
mirror like moon caps are on all 4 corners, just to show off even
more with their mix of Michelin front radials and BF Goodrich rear
radials all in 15-inch format.
Interior
As any artisan who takes on a project as such would do, we open the
doors and already we are over the top with marbled orange and black
carpeted panels accenting the cranks anddoor pulls. Cranks and
handles are excellent, and surrounding metal edging is painted tan
on the sills and orange on the bottoms. As we take our wandering
eyes into the passenger compartment, we are greeted with an
overstuffed tan and saddle bench seat which fill the interior space
from door to door. Custom dark saddle headrests have been added and
now it all looks just beautiful. Continuing to the front, the
original steel dash setup has been retained, but now presents in
orange with a wood burl insert for the mix of VDO and SW gauges in
front of the driver. Vintage Air and heat has been added in the
custom highly lacqueredwood panel mounted to the bottom of the dash
and shares space with an AM/FM/CD stereo and a Sun tachometer. Due
to the 12-volt conversion, the windshield wipers are now
electrified, with no more vacuum to rely on. A long stick shifter
rises from the pristine Mercedes tan wool carpet and has a black
top knob. Fronting the dash is a brown tilt column, and saddle
leather rimmed steering wheel atop. A shout out to the headliner
which is now brown vinyl and appears as a faux leather patterned
piece of tight vinyl with the custom cowboy hat rack neatly
installed. Keep it simple is the mantra for this truck and it works
wonderfully throughout.
Drivetrain
A 350ci Chevrolet engine now graces the dusty but restored engine
bay. It codes out as circa 1969 to 1979 and is certainly all
buttoned up with its black twin snorkel air cleaner assembly and
black valve covers. Inside a few mods have been added in the form
of a mild cam and an Edelbrockintake is fed by a 4-barrel
carburetor. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission pushes power
from the mill rearward to a 12-bolt rear axle. Oh, and lest I
forget the train horns added in the engine bay to clear the path in
front of you.
Undercarriage
A totally restored black painted rust free frame is noted
underneath. Bolted to this is a police cruiser front clip with coil
spring independent suspension and on the back is a leaf spring set
up. Power discs upfront, and power drums for the rear, and also a
stock style dual exhaust is seen working its way rearward. Wood is
near perfect just as above, and there are no runs, drips, or errors
near the transmission and engine underside.
Drive-Ability
This post war cruising truck fired right up, and it was off to the
test track where it handled all tasks put before it just
swimmingly. Great acceleration, good handling for a truck, and
plenty of stopping power. Steering was very smooth, and the
transmission shifted effortlessly. All comfortable and all working
on the interior control fronts. A great cruiser with a nice exhaust
tune.
A full restoration done with obvious passion, and usage of nifty
complementary colors, and a new clean wood lined bed on the back. A
scrumptious interior with the overstuffed seats and perfect dash
and carpet, and air, heat and defrost. Turn the key and drive away
to do some work, or just cruise around and turn some heads!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
