There’s something quite cool about former firefighting appliances. Many children dream of one day becoming a firefighter, but gaining access to this exclusive club is extraordinarily difficult. Some fulfill their dreams as volunteers, while others let that dream fade into the distant past. However, buying a vehicle like this 1974 GMC K2500 Pickup could offer a compromise that is hard to resist. There are several options for potential buyers to consider, but for people who live in rural locations, it could be the perfect combination of a classy classic and practical addition to their garage. If you are beginning to find this tempting, you will find this GMC located in Winlock, Washington, and listed for sale here on Craigslist. You could park this low-mile classic in your garage for $34,950. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Eric B for referring this beauty to us.
Former firefighting vehicles, especially those that have recently been decommissioned, are an interesting proposition for potential buyers to consider. On the downside, they are expected to serve their owners reliably in all types of weather and terrain, meaning that the potential is there for them to be exposed to mud, snow, and other substances that can exact a heavy toll on paint and steel. However, when their work is done, they return to base, are meticulously cleaned, and are tucked away in a warm and dry environment awaiting their next adventure. That has been the story behind this Crimson Red classic, and its overall condition reflects this. The paint shines as impressively as you might expect on any emergency services vehicle. The panels have a couple of minor dings, but there’s nothing severe for buyers to consider. The same is true of rust. There is some present on the bed, but it is small enough that the buyer could tackle the repair with a simple patch. The rest of the vehicle presents superbly, and it is this overall condition that is prompting the owner to place it on the market. They bought the GMC for fire suppression on their tree farm but feel that it is too nice to spend its days deteriorating into another piece of rusty farm machinery. I agree with that sentiment, but it leaves potential buyers with a few options to consider. It appears that all of its tanks, pumps, and hoses are intact. That means that a careful owner in a rural location could use it as the seller intended, but if they treat it with respect, it would still turn heads at a Cars & Coffee or in a parade. Alternatively, removing all of that gear would leave the next owner with an extraordinarily clean, low-mileage pickup that should offer years of reliable service. While that last option makes enormous sense, my inner child would tell me to leave it untouched and take the opportunity to fulfill that childhood dream of being a firefighter.
This K2500 rolled off the line fitted with a 350ci V8 that produces 175hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque. All of that energy needs to go somewhere, so it finds its way to the road via a four-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. For potential buyers, former emergency services vehicles are worth serious consideration beyond the cool factor that we find in machines like this. They spend their lives maintained to the highest standards, which is a matter of necessity. The health and wellbeing of the occupants and the general public rely on that fact, so nothing is left to chance. That should be the story with this GMC, and the fact that it has accumulated a documented 15,600 miles throughout its life will undoubtedly help its cause. Its mechanical health should be well above what you might ordinarily expect because while it was commissioned in 1974, it was only retired from active service earlier this year. That means that its maintenance should be up-to-date and that it hasn’t had an opportunity to accumulate any mechanical gremlins. The owner says that the K2500 drives like it did in 1974, meaning that this is a turn-key classic that is ready to be enjoyed by its next owner.
I wouldn’t describe this Pickup’s interior as being as-new, but it isn’t far from it. Careful examination of the supplied photos reveals a single crack in the dash pad. This hasn’t advanced too far, so it might be an ideal candidate for repair. However, given this interior’s overall condition, the buyer could also decide that spending $370 on a replacement pad would be a sound investment. Beyond that, this interior needs nothing. The upholstered surfaces are spotlessly clean, as is the floormat. The dash is equally impressive, and the lack of wear on the wheel is within keeping for a vehicle with less than 16,000 miles under its belt. There is no radio, but it appears that the emergency two-way is intact.
So, if you bought this 1974 GMC K2500, what would your plan of attack be? Would you remove all of its emergency equipment and drive it as a low-mileage classic, or would you retain it largely untouched? I can see the merits in both courses of action, but I admit that I would be tempted to preserve its emergency services heritage if I were to buy it. Of course, the fact that I’m nothing more than a big kid probably has something to do with that decision, and the chance to fulfill that childhood firefighting dream would be hard to resist. Are you like me, or do you have other ideas?
This GMC pickup has a lot going for it; good original condition, low mileage, a 4-speed and the dependable 350. For my use, the equipment in the bed would go along with the emergency lights and I’d have the lettering on the front fenders and doors removed. While it’s in generally good condition, there seems to be a good bit of rust to be repaired around the wheel wells and some rust in the bed. There is damage over one of the tail lights and the right front fender. To me, the sellers ask is too high considering the needed rust and damage repairs. For $35k, this pickup should be near perfect. However, that’s just my take on this GMC but what do I know.
Jumpin’ Jimminy, anyone know how to get coffee out of a keyboard? Adam pretty much listed the advantages of a fire dept. vehicle, while the driveline has little use, the engine has a jillion “engine hours” from idling for hours at a fire. I see 2 ways to go here. Since climate change has our western state burning, this could literally save the farm, or, strip the fire equipment, rebuild the motor, and have a cherry ’74 squarebody. All said and done, it’s a basic truck, and the 4×4 a big plus, but typical of a fleet order and the $35 grand asking price, they’re off their nut.
Hi Howard A, ever noticed nobody seems to talk about the daily drivers and the hours racked up stuck in traffic? Idling no less. Lots of low mile vehicles out there with a gazillion idle hours, lol. Check out the image of the appears-as-new oil fill cap I posted a few comments below. Always enjoy your commentaries, keep ’em coming!
Howard, I might agree with you on the idling, except that this one does not appear to have a PTO to work in pumper duty. More likely it has a small engine pump in the bed. Either way i doesn’t have a large enough water tank to work for very long. It would be ideal for a tree farm. But I don’t understand the seller motivation to sell. It has A lot of rust, a badly repaired fender and is certainly not a pristine example. 30K is ridiculous as a fire truck. A ex-Cal Fire MK15 sells for less than half that and is a real fire truck..
Yep, what Howard said. These fire trucks see little ‘rolling’ miles but they idle forever and that’s never good on any engine except maybe a diesel. The truck itself looks pretty clean though so maybe it was the Chief’s ‘company car’
As Howard said “low miles”, but the hours that any fire, police, municipal vehicle spends idling probably puts this in the +200k mile category.
Decent body rust, never mind no undercarriage photos, dinged, dented, sloppy repainting, this is NOT a 35k truck.
Right front fender been replaced
Original fender, repaired.
I know this awesome truck. Here’s a pic of the oil fill cap. I was around in 1974 so I know a new looking fill cap when I see one, lol. Thanks for the great write-up Adam Clarke!
That’s a siren under the dash.
You are correct, controls the siren, p-a, lightbar.
I think this would be a cool truck to cruise to the shows in . Like any other cruising truck ,you must check everything on it before purchase . I think it is cool . Low miles ,probably lots of idle time, still a used vehicle. Prices & Cash are always a great barter when buying
Agreed! This is a way-cool truck. My wife really likes driving it. Everyone smiles and waves. She’s enjoys the red carpet treatment at the gas station. Nobody tailgates her, lol. FD maintained, last inspected fall 2020, under a 100 miles ago.
Does it come with a Firemen’s hat, A Big Axe and uniform?
You’ll need to bring yer own, lol.
Nice yes, pricey big yes. A regular person would have to take the light bar off to drive on the streets.
Remove the light bar, yes, or leave it and swap out the red globes for amber.
A 4×4 fire truck is usually a Brush Truck. Doesn’t spend much time idling; it goes to the woods, gets the job done, goes home. Might go to a few parades.
There are better buys to protect your farm. The fire equipment might sell as a package to someone that could use it. But in general when they say evacuate, that’s the safe thing to do.
Exactly what this truck did. Knock down the fire, save property, save lives. Off-road performance, holy cow! The stories it could tell.
This seller is completely delusional.
Would this sweet ol’ one-of-a-kind truck be more attractive to you with a heaping helping of fake patina? Run a sander all over, grind off the real fire fighting patina? Hose down with a rattle can of clear coat. Just curious. Let me know. Thanks.
It would be more attractive if it were priced right. For $34,9K it should t have ANY body rot/rust or dents.
Find another sweet original un-messed with ’74 K2500. Let alone one in such an awesome level of preservation.
Mark, you are correct. What we have here is a 47 year old, rusted, beat up, brush truck. Yes, it is low mileage, but hours on the engine is what is the problem. Fire equipment runs from the time it leaves the fire house, until the time it returns, this could be many hours a day. Used fire equipment is always a crap shoot. The fire equipment is most likely older than the truck, and most likely government surplus. This seller is not living in the real world.
In my home town of Plattsmouth, ne the Plattsmouth volunteer fire department has a 40 year old engine that is still in service, also you can have a red light bar on the vehicle you can’t turn it on unless you have a red light permit
I ordered a 74 C-10 with the 350 4barrel in crimson red like this fire truck. I really liked my truck, but it didn’t have much power and Chevrolet seemed to have forgot any rustproofing in 1974. My freind installed door bottoms and new fenders and we noticed that a coat of any kind of paint on the insides of the doors might have slowed down some of the rust. I tied to treat it very well, but it rusted in many areas.
“Many children dream of one day becoming a firefighter” I never did nor anyone who did …
@4spdBernie, it’s a nice truck, just not near 35k nice even without the issues it has.
Similar base truck with much less rust (not a fire truck) bid to 6,150 but failed to meet it’s reserve in February.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-gmc-2500-sierra-grande/
What is your real price? Or is this just another one of those “testing the waters/not really for sale” ads?
Bill, that BaT ad you referenced was for grampa’s 2wd auto tranny camper special with high miles. I’m open to reasonable offers. Thanks
Would love to have that truck. Taking it to parades and cars show As a past fire chief the prize is to high, You could get a large fire truck with some equipment.