The 1955 model year marked one of significant change for the GMC truck range. The company started the year offering customers its aging “New Design.” However, it launched its significantly upgraded Blue Chip range on March 25th of that year. The new model brought with its sharper styling, larger areas of glass for better visibility, and the option of a V8 engine across the entire range. Our feature vehicle is a 1955 GMC 100 Deluxe, and it is a largely original survivor. The owner has performed some modern upgrades to make it a more practical daily driver, but he hasn’t destroyed its character in the process. It has generated some interest since he listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and twenty-five bids have pushed the price to $9,500. This figure remains short of the reserve, but there’s still time available if any of our readers wish to stake their claim on this classic.

The buyer will face some choices with this Pickup, but I can’t see any of these as awful ones. The vehicle rolled off the production line wearing Ocean Green paint, and there is still evidence of this visible in a few spots if you search carefully. The current color isn’t unpleasant, but I can’t help but think that it would look better if the buyer returned it to that original shade. The panels wear a few dings and bruises, but this is expected in a vehicle of this type and age. The good news for potential buyers is the general lack of rust that they will need to tackle. The Pickup isn’t totally rust-free, but the more prone areas like the floors and lower cab corners, along with the frame, seem to be rock solid. A few spots are visible in the lower driver’s door and front fender, but it would take little more than a few patches to consign them to the pages of history. The trim and chrome is all present, and while it isn’t perfect, the buyer could leave it untouched if they wished to retain the survivor appearance. One of the other areas prone to significant deterioration is the bed timber. However, the seller has replaced this, and it appears close to perfect. Increasing the desirability of the vehicle is its “big window” status. The larger wrap-around window significantly improves visibility compared to the standard glass, and this feature is in good condition. The windshield is badly cracked, but the owner includes a new replacement and matching rubber in the sale. He has also fitted new wheels and tires, and you can gauge their age by the remnants of the sticker visible on one tire in this shot.

While buyers could order their new GMC 100 Deluxe with a six hiding under the hood, this new model also brought a V8 to the table for those who desired more power and torque. Sourced from Pontiac, it was a 287ci V8 that produced 155hp and an impressive 246 ft/lbs of torque. Both figures represented a substantial increase over the six and made the 100 a more effective load hauler. Our feature vehicle retains its original motor, and the owner believes it has a genuine 15,000 miles under its belt. He doesn’t indicate whether he holds verifying evidence, but since the Pickup had been parked since the 1960s following a transmission failure, it is plausible that he is right. The original transmission was a three-speed manual, but when it failed, the Pickup’s owner at that point pulled it and then managed to lose it. Therefore, when the seller recently purchased the vehicle, it had been sitting for many years. Rather than sourcing a correct replacement, he bought a bell housing and adaptor kit and slotted a four-speed 700R4 automatic in its place. As part of the revival process, he also upgraded the brakes to power front discs, bolted on a new carburetor, and upgraded the distributor to an HEI unit. He says that the GMC runs and drives well, but he hasn’t taken it on any extended journeys yet. The furthest he has ventured is about forty-five minutes from home, but it hasn’t exhibited any nasty tendencies. It sounds like the buyer may be able to ease into some longer journeys without too much stress, and the upgrades should make it a more comfortable and relaxed daily driver.

When we turn our attention to the interior, the first thing that catches our eye is the lack of a transmission tunnel. Potential buyers should not be concerned about this, as the owner removed it to clean it properly. I believe that he has refitted it since he took the photos. Beyond that, it is an interior that holds its share of positive attributes. The seat wears a stunning new cover in green cloth and black vinyl, which adds a touch of class. The machine-turned gauge cluster further enhances this feeling. Most of the painted surfaces look in better-than-average condition for a vehicle of this type and age, but I’m not sure that I’m entirely sold on the wheel. It is missing its center, and there’s a fair gap between the back of the wheel and the column housing. This looks unsightly, and if I were to buy this classic, I would be seeking a better solution. Beyond that, a mat or carpet on the floors would tie everything together and have the interior presenting quite nicely.

One of the potential drawbacks of older Pickups is that they can feel dated and unwieldy on the road. That is why they find themselves living for the weekend rather than serving as daily drivers. The upgrades that the owner has performed on this 1955 GMC 100 Deluxe should address some of those shortcomings, and the transmission should also help it to be a practical open-road cruiser. Purists could reverse the changes if they seek originality, but I don’t believe this will happen. It looks like a straightforward project build, and depending on where he has set the reserve, I don’t think the seller will have much trouble finding a new home. Are you tempted to make it yours?