Another day, another short bed pickup. This 1985 GMC Sierra is the twin to the more commonly seen Chevy C/10 pickup, but it still has those perfect proportions that only a single cab, short bed pickup can capture. This one, unlike many others, is selling fairly cheaply at the moment, and is listed here on eBay at no reserve.
This Sierra isn’t the prettiest one you’ll see today, and there are dents in both doors. There’s a heavy dose of surface rust, or patina, depending on your interpretation of things. The seller notes that the 305 V8 and 350 Turbo transmission make a good pair and are functioning as nature intended. I’ll never not love the stock wheels on these things with their healthy dish.
The interior is one area that will need some work, as the dash pad is cracked and that sheet is likely covering a tattered bench. The good news is this is a highly optioned truck, with features like power windows, power locks, power steering, power brakes, title wheel and A/C. The latter, of course, is not working at the moment.
The engine bay isn’t the sharpest one we’ve seen, and this Sierra is a textbook case of how some extra time spent detailing could have gone a long way for the seller. Shine it up as much as possible with the patina in place and I’ll bet the bids would come in higher. The advantage here tilts towards the buyer, who could put in some work and turn a nice profit when ready to flip.
It has one of those little kits on it!
The bulk of any money is going to be made on this turn/flip.
Steve R
I don’t see a lot of rot on this Sierra though the hood and roof show surface rust. No sign of patina, either but I never see patina on a vehicle; just rust. While the doors are fairly hammered, the bed looks solid. Looks like the chrome bumpers and wheels are OK though body side trim is mostly gone. This would be a good-looking truck with fresh paint and the trim cleaned up with the missing bits replaced. The interior needs just about everything, though.
Is there a good reproduction market for these pickups? If so, restoration would be a lot easier. Looks like it may sell for not a lot of money. Might be a solid candidate for restoring, though a lot of trim and interior bits needed.
Yes, there’s definately a reproduction market for them. The most obvious that comes to mind is LMC, which delivers mostly nice products at competitive prices. I have been an LMC customer for 20years and recommend them, but there are at least a dozen others specializing in post-war up GM trucks. Repops for 73-91 C/K – R/V trucks are easily available (just as easy as TriFives!) and probably the cheapest around for any US vehicle.
Though this one might look beat it’s a desirable SWB and seems like a good resto candidate if one can get it at a decent price
Takes the good people of Mississippi to give a plausible price. If I had the gall, I’d list mine on some site for $5g’s, clearly people want them with 20 bids. I think the Sierra was the cheapest, followed by the High Sierra, like mine, then the Sierra Grande, all to bamboozle the public, it was all the same truck.
Rube, if you are going to sell your truck, list it at your starting price on auction and see where it goes.
If people bid it up, they obviously think it is worth more than you think it is. It would be a win win.
Nice older truck, looks like has most of the whistles and bells in the day. Will make an easy project for someone. I have my share or this could find a new home with me in Florida.
It’s got some potential but I highly question if that potential comes out on the positive side when you look at what you have to put into it. I have never been a fan of the 305 no matter what you put into it they were never what I would say powerful, very limited potential from the engine side of things. It’s just not got “enough” for me to be interested!
A good, multi duty truck for someone, I’d get serious but I already have a truck.