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Money-Maker: 1957 GMC Pickup

The seller of this 1957 GMC 100 pickup rightfully notes that this is the only model year that was available with this “clean” nose design (courtesy of Chuck Jordan according to Motorcities.org). It’s listed for sale here on eBay, where bidding so far is up to $4,400 but has not yet met the reserve. There is a buy it now price of $6,900 as well. The truck can be picked up from Everest, Kansas if you are the winning bidder.

The seller doesn’t reveal any history they may know of the truck, but it’s a pretty safe bet that with that bumper and the general appearance of the truck it led a working life at some point. There’s rust to be sure, with issues in the lower fenders, steps, and passenger door, but some panels are available for this popular generation of GM truck and its fairly simple construction makes it a favorite for restoring. And, as you can see from the tailgate, Chevy truck parts will fit as well.

When GMC introduced the 1957 truck line, they were starting to focus on consumer use of the truck while still retaining the “Money-Maker” idea most trucks were used for. The “100” series was the 1/2-ton model and offered more car-like styling and features like an optional wrap-around rear window (not on this truck) that previously were rarely seen on trucks. The 1957 model was considered a successful facelift of the 1955 “Blue-Chip” trucks’ styling.

We really don’t know the condition of the bed under the plywood — I would plan on a replacement, but wooden kits are readily available. You can see the rust as well. Of course, I suppose you could keep all this patina if you like that kind of thing.

Assuming for a moment this is the original engine, it was an optional V-8 rated at 206 horsepower. A carburetor would be nice — I had to chuckle at the seller’s “not running” statement. Honestly, I doubt that this engine will stay in place considering all the GM V-8s available for swapping. What would you do?

The interior reveals yet another color on this truck, although I’m guessing the gray-blue may be the original one. Work is needed here as well — unless you love patina. Would you restore, restomod or just get it running and driving?

Comments

  1. Avatar Had Two

    It looks like a good start. Not as rusty as many. The exteror
    appears to have been prepped for paint years ago. May have been
    “found” without wheels, as these shown are pretty recent. I note the accelerator pedal and linkage is missing and the transmission cover on the floor has been modified with a “hack saw”? That is not the original stick
    shift sticking up out of the floor. Plan on sourcing a transmission,
    not easy to find if you want it original with the “granny” low gear.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar TinCanSailor

    Awesome truck… but the BIN option is gone. I have a spare 350 sitting in the garage. If I could get this for the BIN price, I’d jump on it. I could have this on the road fairly cheaply.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Bob C.

    Didn’t they use Pontiac V8s during this time?

    Like 5
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      GMC did use the Pontiac-built engine unless it was a Canadian-built truck which used a Chevy engine like this one has…

      Like 0
      • Avatar Bob C.

        That makes sense, just like the “Cheviac” cars.

        Like 0
  4. Avatar stillrunners

    That’s what I thought Bob….

    Like 0
  5. Avatar geomechs Member

    I’ve always been a little partial to the GMC pickups of this vintage. Maybe it was because they were fewer in number than the Chevy trucks. I had a customer contact me one day. He had his boy’s pickup in his backyard and decided that it was high time it was mobilized. He said that the boy had experienced an engine fire just before he shipped off to Vietnam. He came home and never regained interest. I couldn’t believe what I was looking at: a nearly pristine Suburban Carrier. I offered to buy it but the guy politely turned me down. The engine was seized from the hood being off and the remains of the carburetor removed, leaving everything to the elements for the better part of eight years. I pulled the engine, took it home and spent a lot of time taking it apart. Re-rung it, polished the crank and fixed what was needed. Stuck it back in and fired it up. Ran great despite a couple of cylinders having some rusty freckles. At least I got a chance to drive it. I still wish I could’ve bought it…

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Had Two

    I note that there is no hand throttle either. It would be a separate
    pull knob to the right of the missing radio. This was connected
    to the carburetor through the firewall. It was a nice feature
    found on many of the Chevrolet pick up versions in the late 50’s.
    Hand Throttle, the poor man’s Cruise Control

    Like 0
  7. Avatar David Member

    A steal at this price

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Vance

    For some reason, all I want to do with this truck is put 400+ horsepower under the hood, rework the rear suspension with traction bars, and put 5.13’s in it and pull the front wheels at every opportunity. Must be the stance…

    Like 0

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