From the days when a GMC truck was a GMC truck and not a Chevy, we have this 1962 GMC 2500 pickup for your review. The old pickup popularity appears to have no bounds and this example, courtesy of Russell G., has already seen its share of upgrades. Said to have resided in a dairy farm barn its entire life, this resident of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania is available, here on eBay for an opening bid of $15,000. There is a BIN price of $20,000 available too.
The seller mentions that this GMC’s restoration was started in the ’70s when the original 165 gross HP, 305 CI V6 engine was replaced with a 350 CI Chevrolet motor – provenance not stated. A Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission followed suit and the engine has been more recently converted to fuel injection and has had an electric cooling fan substituted for the original belt-driven one. The seller will also include a rear-mounted fuel tank to replace the original which has the dubious distinction of being placed upright, right behind the passenger compartment.
Open doors tell a tale of a repaint from white to green. The finish is in excellent shape but the entire package would seem a bit more complete had the door jambs been sprayed too. The cargo bed appears to have had its wood decking replaced and the seller mentions that he is including new parts such as a new windshield (LMC Truck – in box) – with all weatherstripping and chrome trim, a new chrome rear bumper (LMC Truck – in box), and new door weather stripping, floor/firewall insulation and noise dampening (LMC Truck – in box). The choice of steel wheels and hub caps is refreshing compared to 20″ hoops, or some other overtly obvious selection often found holding up all four corners of a modern redo.
Inside is a replacement bench seat from a 1964 model which appears to have been upholstered in a tough truck-grade vinyl. But the most notable upgrade is the instrument panel which is flush with replacement gauges – it looks great even if they don’t all match. Up on the hump is a racing-style automatic gear selector, necessary for the proper operation of the T-400 transmission.
This is a nicely modded truck, it’s not stock of course, but the changes are more subtle than outstanding. I suppose this pickup would be extra special if it still had its original GMC engine doing time in the engine room but it’s easy to understand why it was likely swapped. As of this writing, this pickup has a day and a half to go in the bidding, and so far, there are no takers. I don’t think the opening bid is too out of line but the seller may need to rethink his pricing, wouldn’t you agree?
I like the truck but I would like it even more if it had the original V6. My neighbor farmer has an old GMC flat bed with the 351 V6. I would love to put that in an old GMC truck someday.
GMCs are just Chevys with lockwashers haha.
Who made the first bid on this? Significantly over priced for a slightly modded longbed. Only thing it has going for it is a big back window. Worth less than $10K as it sits.
Well, that is just your opinion James, but this is a very desirable unit. The Panoramic cab and a 10k GVWR is only the icing on the cake! The additional parts are a great plus as well. Rust free examples are commanding MUCH more than the selling price! This is a blank slate for any buyer. I prefer the 64-66 cabs better, no dogleg to bang your knee on!
15 K would be a steal of a price up here in Southern Maine, if it looks as good close up.
Can’t pay 20k for a truck with a poorly executed color change
Interesting. Bed seems odd and the seat could be better. The gas tank in the cab can be handy when the gas gauge doesn’t work. Feel for the temperature change and you’ll know how much gas is left. I’ve been there in an ol Ford.
Hate to bust the bubble but a 305 was an 8 cylinder engine not a v6 cylinder the 305 was the sorrist engine gm put out..
Bust a bubble? Engine configuration is not exactly a “bubble” type of matter, not to me anyway, but you are absolutely wrong. Facts attached, it’s a V6, not a V8.
JO
Yes, GMC loved its V6 engines. It made (4) different models: 305, 351, 401, and 478. Then it coupled (2) 351s together to make that 702 V-12. It added (2) more cylinders to the 478, making a 637 V-8. Then they threw another curve when they brought out diesel versions of the 478 and 637.
Actually, you a quite wrong. We all know of the 305 V6. The 305 V8 served me well in a new GMC heavy half. Recam at 45k with an 4bbl intake and dual exhaust, that LG9 came alive and served me well for almost 300k of heavy haul in interstate service.
Bill…geomechs…Jim…one thing I have learned over the years is that you can’t argue with stupid….a wise man once told me that “if you find them dumb…leave them dumb”…. just my 2 cents worth…
GMC made a 305 v6 from 59 to 74. I looked at this truck in person and the paint has a few issues when you get up close.
Ages ago, when self-serve fuel stations were unheard of, I worked as a pump jockey. A guy driving an early 1960s Chevrolet 1/2 ton pickup similar to this GMC pulled in for gas. I popped the hood to check the oil and at first glance saw what I thought was a GMC V6 engine. It was when I got a closer look and had to move over to the passenger side to grab the oil dipstick that I realized I was looking at a 409 V8 that had been swapped in.
To this day I wonder what became of that truck.