Vehicle Description
1923 GMC 1/2 Ton Pickup Truck
In 1916, a GMC truck crossed the country from Seattle to New York
City in thirty days, and in 1926, a 2-ton GMC truck was driven from
New York to San Francisco in five days and 30 minutes. In 1923, GMC
trucks were exported to Japan to help recovery and reconstruction
as a result of the Great Kanto earthquake, and the company
continued to provide vehicles as the transportation infrastructure
was rebuilt. Before the earthquake struck, most of Japan's
transportation of commerce and people was by wooden carts and
government owned railroads, which were severely damaged when the
train tracks were twisted beyond use. Autonomous trucks were much
more effective at traveling to heavily damaged areas.
For consignment, an earlier restored 1923 GMC 1/2 ton truck. It's a
flat front truck, (as opposed to the Frenched curved front version
also available). It has a wood lathe C cab and a long wood bed.
Pneumatic tires are on 35-inch spoked wheels and overall it
presents in very nice condition with some patina throughout.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
Steel for the front end of the truck, as well as framing, butit is
constructed primarily of wood. A flat front radiator and black
surround badged by the stylized GMC logo of those early days leads
the way. Directly behind, a black painted cowled hood is flanked by
steel formed curved fenders that flow up and down eventually
meeting top with a running board, fashioned with an oak plank on
top for easier access to the cab. The step per se is welded to the
framing. We can see a wonderful C cab covering the driver's space
and it is made from wood lath framing and some solid wood edges
forming the C shape. More wood lath and some batten beaded paneling
areon the back. A square window is in the center allowing for a
look behind to the bed. This is all painted black with a pinstripe
in red around the edges of the top of the cab. On the back is a
long bed made of red painted wood with angled tops on either side,
as well as a tailgate, which slides in and out with no hinge. This
box is using some steel rod material as supports on the outside,
painted in black. Wide planks make up the actual bed and these are
attached directly to the framing, painted red as well. Large
35-inch wood spoked wheels with red rims painted black keep this
truck on the ground, and these are wrapped in pneumatic tires which
are a 35x5 rubber with good deep tread. No headlights are noted on
this truck so its a daytime only operation truck.
Interior
Open to the elements save for the overhanging C cab, its simple
construction using oak wood for the box which houses the pedals,
shifter and handbrake. It has black painted steel edging, and a
black GMC logo on the uptake prior to the firewall. The bench seat
sits on a black painted wood box just aft of the oak flooring and
the bench is black vinyl with tuck and roll padded upholstery. This
all resides under the C cab. A long shift lever reaches for the
driver, as does the steering column which has a large bakelite and
wood wheel with a timing and throttle lever on a crescent cast
center on which the levers reside. Some cast pedals are also seen
on the warm stainless and varnished oak floor. The dash is on the
inside of the firewall, and has a lever and electric light in the
center.
Drivetrain
Under the cowled hood is a cast engine in inline 4 cylinder form.
It is a Continental Model N engine and has a 1-barrel carburetor
attached to it. On the back is a 3-speed manual transmission. The
engine is in nicely restored condition with more GMC logos cast
into it and it has new belts and wires and shows slight rust where
the hoses enter it for the cooling.
Undercarriage
Solid steel framing and the underside of the wood bed are on with
mechanical drum brakes for the rear only. Leaf springs are
providing the ride and a stock style exhaust is now sprayed with
silver rattle can paint.
A very nice restored example of the 1923 long bed, flat front 1/2
ton truck. You'll not find many around in this condition, let alone
with no rust and solid all around.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
