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Cheap 1976 GMC Jimmy Casa Grande

Another day, another derelict Chevrolet or GMC pickup with a camper attachment. Despite being fairly limited in production numbers, enough people seemed to have bought these interesting GMC Casa Grande / Chevrolet Blazer Chalet conversions when new, as we’ve seen a fair number pop up over the last few months. This one is probably the furthest from completion we’ve seen, but it is the less often spotted GMC variety, which may count for something if you’ve been holding out for one. The Chalet / Casa Grande package gave buyers a factory warranted camper conversion that would comfortably sleep two passengers all with the go-anywhere convenience of four-wheel drive. Find the GMC here on Facebook Marketplace for $1,500 in Deer Park, WI.

Now, before you get your hopes up, understand that this is a very, very rough vehicle. The seller pulls no punches about this. He notes that it looks to have been partially parted out at one time, as there is no engine and the rear axle was cut out of the truck by the leaf spring hangars, which suggests the previous caretaker didn’t see much need to be delicate with what some truck enthusiasts might consider a collector’s item. The seller also notes that every panel is damaged in some way, with rust or dents or dings, or more likely, all three. On the bright side, the must-have camper shell is still there and as you can see, the pop-top is still functional.

Still, that’s about it for good news. Whoever buys this would likely be wise to remove the shell and junk the rest. That being said, I can still understand if you’re passionate about these factory camper trucks that you might be inclined to try and save this one. The seller doesn’t go into great detail about the rust situation, and that’s what would be the make or break for me in terms of trying to fix the ills on display. The bottom line is that any of these camper projects you buy in rough condition are likely to need a complete interior gut – it’s just the sad reality of a neglected vehicle that people can live in. If you want to avoid this stage of the restoration, you’ll need to buy one of the better examples that occasionally pops onto the market. At the end of the day, if the rust isn’t terminal, sourcing a decent 350 and a rear axle isn’t a major hurdle.

The cabin actually looks pretty decent, and the seller seems to say as much. Still, if you take another look at the pictures, you can see the rust goes pretty deep into the panels – which makes it very likely that it goes fairly deep into the chassis as well. The seller says this is even a rough parts truck, and that sort of honesty is rare in today’s marketplace. The price seems high for what amounts to a useable camper shell, but if you have an otherwise decent Chalet or Casa Grande missing this vital component, there’s likely no limit to what you’ll pay to complete the restoration of a good one. These sorts of finds are always a touch depressing to me, but hopefully, this adventure rig made some good memories before its demise.

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve Clinton

    With apologies to ‘Seinfeld’, Jimmy says it’s time for the crusher.

    Like 12
  2. Avatar PaulG

    Certainly worth the ask strictly for a parts rig. I’d get a tetanus shot first…

    Like 12
  3. Avatar Sam Shive

    Hell I’ve seen more of these on BARNFINDS in the last 90 days than were built. Slide a camper in a full size pickup and CALL IT A DAY. YOUR NOT GOING TO RETIRE BY SELLING ONE OF THESE. Give me $1500. and I’ll haul it away for you.

    Like 10
  4. Avatar Vance

    Can you imagine the varmints that call this home? Racoons, snakes, mice, spiders, it’s varmint heaven. Wouldn’t give it a chance to give me Tetanus or attack from said vermin. Get a tractor and drag it out to somewhere safe, and set fire to it. Remove anything explosive, light it and run like hell.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Ralph

      Them varmints is good eatin…Crunchy
      Can’t see the asking price here. Too far gone.

      Like 2
  5. Avatar Ike Onick

    Jimmy Casa Grande!! One hell of a guy, and the wife and I loved eating at his place in Santa Fe. The bean burrito combo was to die for.

    Like 5
  6. Avatar Frank Sumatra

    Pretty sure nobody got their hopes up.

    Like 3
    • HoA Howard A Member

      Bingo!!! Scrap yard might have about $400 worth of “hopes” here,,

      Like 2
  7. Avatar Mike

    You’re just buying a camper shell at this point. The vehicle and everything inside the camper will get tossed. Might be interesting to see what a reimagined, updated interior would look like.

    Like 6
  8. Avatar flynndawg

    is it april 1… ???

    Like 4
  9. Avatar Jay McCarthy

    Sadly this one is done

    Like 4
  10. Avatar bull

    Money is in the Chalet shell. Shell alone will sell for as much as $1,000-$1,200. Blazer will easily scrap for parts for $500.

    One of my business partners purchased 13 Chalets at one time years ago. Still got one left. We sold all of em quickly. The rough parts Chalet’s made the most money!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Russell C

      My former #1747 Chalet was among that baker’s dozen, didn’t know you still had one left this many years later. Assuming the email addy I have for you from 2015 still works and/or the one for you at MCD, look out for a regular email from me on which one that is.

      Like 0

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