We don’t see a lot of GMC trucks here on Barn Finds, especially first-generation models. Similar to Chevrolet trucks, GMCs had a few differences but the family resemblance is unmistakable. This one appears to have been painted red over its original Palomino Tan color and it’s posted here on craigslist in Cozad, Nebraska. The seller is asking $8,500, here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
This 1964 GMC pickup is likely a 1000 (1/2-ton) or 1500 (3/4-ton) model. The seller doesn’t list which one and doesn’t show detailed photos, list a VIN, or show a photo of a data tag. One of you may know by looking at it, but I believe the front fender badges designate the V6 engine, with a #6 and a V. I don’t see any other markings or badges on this one. I’m assuming it’s a Series-1000 half-ton. It appears to be the 127-inch wheelbase eight-foot bed model rather than the smaller short bed or nine-foot bed. I believe the nine-foot beds were all Fendersides so this ain’t dat. It for sure is a “Custom” trim level with bright trim around the windows and a chrome grille and front bumper. There was also a lower Deluxe with a painted grille and front bumper and black rubber around the windows.
The bed looks great but I wish the seller had taken more photos. We don’t see the rear at all, so no shots of the tailgate, and no underside photos. I’m assuming that since it’s a central Nebraska truck, or it is now – we don’t know if it’s originally from there or not – it may be as solid as Sears. Or as solid as Sears used to be before it crumbled into dust, sadly. This bed is what GMC called a Wide-Side bed or box, and the step-side beds were called “Fenderside” according to GMC lingo.
There’s the Palomino Tan door jamb color. I’d rather have this truck with a Palomino Tan exterior and red interior than the other way around, but that’s just me. It does have what I believe is an optional four-speed synchromesh manual transmission. A three-speed manual with a column shifter would have been standard and a four-speed manual or an automatic were options. The seller included two interior photos so it’s hard for me to complain about that, believe it or not.
We’ve seen two or three examples of this interesting 305-cu.in. OHV V6 in the past. This is actually a V6, not a V8, no Scotty G typo for once. Officially the 305E, this one should have 165 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It sends power through the four-speed manual to the rear wheels and they say the engine was rebuilt years ago, it runs great, has a new exhaust and this truck has new tires. I really like this one and Hagerty lists a #4 fair-condition example as being worth $9,900, so at $8,500, this truck is a fairly good deal. Any thoughts on this one?
Torquey naturally aspirated V6. Nice.
Agree w you Scotty on the Palomino.
Very nice GMC. Even if there was a color change. Since the door jams have the origonal color it wouldn’t be too hard to put it back if you want to. The GMC V6 has a very interesting history. The 305 is the smallest one. These were used in much larger trucks and with larger displacements as well. GMC even made a truck V12 based off of this V6 design. This looks like a solid truck….. “Solid as Sears” ( Good one Scotty).
Thanks, guys! I’d love to have this one, especially with that floor-mounted four-speed manual.
Another great choice, Scotty. There are a few of these in our area but none this nice and that’s a great price in my book.
You made me look, Driveinstile-a GM V12! Never knew. Good stuff.
Thank you!! I’m hoping Howard or Geomech might have a little more insight on what they were really like. I can imagine what that monster V12 must’ve sounded like.
If you type Waylon Wire V-12 in YouTube, you can follow a build up that he did with one of these engines.
There’s a few of these 60s GM trucks in my neighbor’s barn. Wish he’d sell them…
I used to know a man that had a dark blue 1964 GMC long bed with what I presume to have had the 305 V6. It was a manual transmission like this one. The man I knew said it was a “3 speed with granny low” and that it “could tow a house right off of its foundation”.
Cool truck. The door jambs of 1966 and prior Chevy and GMC trucks were painted the same color as the dash, not the same color as the body exterior. Don’t ask me why, but it is true. So the presence of fawn paint in the door jambs does not necessarily mean the outside of the truck was originally that color.
The outside might have originally been tan, or might have been red, or might have been any other available color, but the door jambs will not tell you which color it was.
That is great information, jeffschevelle!
Here are the colors that I think would have been available, that’s quite a mix.
https://vintagepaint.biz/images/source/gm_trucks/1963-1964_GMC.jpg
Clarification on the stock paint scheme, from the factory only the interior of the doors themselves were painted the interior cab color. The jambs were indeed painted the color of the body.
Yes, I should have been clearer in what I said. The jamb parts of the doors (what you cannot see after the doors are closed) are interior color. The jamb part of the body (the hinge pillar, and striker pillar, and rockers) were the same color as the outside body. Sorry for any confusion I created!
No plaid valve covers? It’s not a factory rebuild. I heard they had so many problems, they colored the valve covers in plaid to tell which ones were replaced, or something like that. I don’t recall seeing any, something about the oil pump failing? (Geo) My old man had a Suburban with one, and he claimed was underpowered pulling a camper. Really a nice truck,when trucks were trucks.
Never had much experience with the “Thunder 702” V12, which was 2-351 V6s sharing a common block. They claimed 425 HP, in an attempt to satisfy truck owners that hadn’t made the leap to diesels just yet. It performed well, had a massive crankshaft, but the back cylinders ran hot, and 2-3 mpg was common.Only about 5,000 were made and estimates of less than 200 remain today.
Looks to me like the red is the original color , the Fawn Beige I think was the interior in all GM trucks back then…or it seemed to be anyway !
Thanks, DON! I should have known that, but it’s nice to know it now. I like this truck even more now, if that’s the original paint it’s pretty amazing after 61 years.
I’m impressed if all the sheetmetal is original, thats a rare find today. Personally I’d leave it exactly as it is with the exception of maybe OEM hub caps from ’64.
In 65 I taught myself to drive a manual… in a red stepside one of these. 305, 3 on the tree…. the heater had 4 slide knobs meaning it was the better heater.
We had a 69 GMC with the 305 V6 and three on the tree. Ton of torque, pull or carry anything. Burn the tires through first and halfway through second. Withstood my brother’s and my learning to drive a manual. (He got the unsafe start ticket doing burnouts in a state park!) Downside was lousy gas mileage; 14-16 mpg uphill, downhill, loaded or empty, tailwind or headwind.
We had one of these in a 3/4 ton lwb step side with a 3-speed. Dad bought a slide in camper and we went all over the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan. No working instruments but dad would stop every couple hours or 100 miles and top off the gas. You were never in a hurry with my dad. Our interior was the same color. Outside was a metallic blue, painted with a brush. Good old truck that was kept around after we got our new 72 C20 Cheyenne.
Like to know story behind salvage title , the V-6 goes to who ever cares, nice truck for the money if no bs story.
I think all ‘60’s Chev and GMC had the same aftermarket seat cover. Ha.
The V-6 was strong but better carry a couple Gerry cans in the bed it was a gas Hogg. GMC of that era were better built than Chevy, but I’d take a 283 over the V-6.
Pull the hub caps and see how many lugs are on the wheels. I had a ’65 C10 Chevy and they had 6 lug rims. If this has 8, it would be a 3/4 ton.
This seems to be missing some of it’s outside trim too.
GMC’s were rare as hen’s teeth around me, but the Chevy’s were everywhere. I can’t recall ever seeing a GMC. Dash is a lot different than the Chevys.
“Twin six”, back to back 351s good for 275 hp.
My grandfather had a 2.5 ton(6500 series) GMC With A 345 inch V6. 5 miles to the gallon, but gas was only 26 cents to the gallon. it had twin 50 gallon saddle tanks, and it needed them.
The rear hubcaps look kinda shallow so this might be the 1/2 ton, In the late 70’s my dad ended up with a 65 GMC 3/4 ton V6 with the 4 speed. It ran well and it was a very good at towing things, It never used any oil until one day my dad mis-read the oil dipstick and put 3 quarts into it, after that you could not keep oil in it. Too much Schlitz may have been involved
A friend of mine had one with the short bed. IIRC, his was a ’64 with the three-on-the-tree.
Looks like one of the sliding knobs on the heater/defroster control is broken off. My ’66 Chevy C10 was a Custom and had the same controls. I had to replace mine, as well as the column shifter. A buddy was driving it back from Atlanta to Auburn, Alabama and when he shifted from 1st to 2nd, the shifter broke off in his hand. I had just picked up my ’52 Buick that my dad had driven down to Atlanta for me. We fixed the shifter in the parking lot of my dad’s hotel and were on our way.
Nice truck! I love the simplicity. I was a mere pup when it was built, but I remember a few of these 305 and 351 V-6’s growing up. A good friend had a ’65 Suburban with the 305E and a 4-speed. It was a tourquey beast, albeit a bit thirsty. That engine had a notable exhaust note I can hear in my head today.
I have a 64 “Heavy Half” fleetside long, I rebuilt in 97. Has the slip and slide automatic, had the 305E V6, swapped out for a 292 inline 6.
Reasoning? 5 miles to the gallon or 18 MPG; it was worth the 3500$.
No overload springs. So what makes it a heavy half? The same brakes as the 71 G-20 van.
4 speed floor shift means it has the Saginaw, farm truck, transmission, more than likely a 411 rear end (stock). I changed up to a 373 posi. I didn’t have a rear axel to start with, or a driveshaft; went with what I could find at the yard I worked at; the donor was a 65 Chevy.
Betty looks her age, but she is mechanically; brand new.
I built her to last the next 80 years.
There is a highway version I sold a few years ago: 250 Chevy 6, 3 on the tree, 242 rearend, most ring and pinions have a production date of 1961, month may vary.
I may only need 1, but, I like the variety of having a fleet.
Safest truck to have around children in modern vehicles, you can crush them without a scratch; Betty has killed many a Lincoln and Mercedes.
Tailgaters? I have 2 big hooks mounted off the step bumper, that is made of hot rolled channel and plate steel.