I remember seeing my first ad for the new GMC Jimmy. Jimmy? Wha? I knew a few friends that gave their dogs “human” names, such as Zeke, or Bob, but giving an SUV the name of Jimmy? Well, apparently some folks at GMC thought if the name Jeep could be derived from GP (Government Purpose), then maybe Jimmy could be derived the same way from GMC. Anywho, the Jimmy, a GM cousin to the Chevy Blazer, was introduced in 1970 and had a two-decade run until it was discontinued in 1991 and replaced by the Yukon. Today, for your consideration, is a one-owner survivor that is looking for only its second home. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this 1979 GMC Jimmy High Sierra 4×4 is for sale here on eBay at No Reserve and had generated 40 bids with a top bid of $11,101 as of this writing.
The seller, representing the original owner, describes the Jimmy as a “survivor daily driver” and based on the photos, that seems like an accurate description. It’s not perfect, but it’s in dang good shape for a 43-year-old SUV. This is the second truck article in a row that I’ve written featuring the popular brown and tan two-tone color combination. It’s said to be original and presents well and there are no major dents and dings on the rust-free body. The glass, chrome, and trim are in very good condition and the rear-powered glass works properly.
GMC claimed there was lot of luxury in Jimmy’s interior for ’79, including new colors and seat trim options. The High Sierra was a step up from the standard Jimmy interior and featured the Camel Tan cloth seat trim you see here, along with color-keyed carpeting, and a color-keyed plastic console twixt the front seats. The original smoke-free interior is in good shape overall. The front seats are showing a little fabric wear in spots, the console is worn, there is minor wear and tear on the sun visors, and a little headliner seam issues.
The carpet looks good for its age as does the dash (that includes a dash cover), and the back bench seats look like new. The seller says the lights, signals, and horn work and the rear glass motor rolls up and down smoothly. The AC control doesn’t switch on but the compressor spins free, so that will need to be tested and addressed.
The seller describes the power plant and transmission as “400 SBC TH350 Automatic Transmission.” I’m not sure if this is a 350 or 400-cubic inch V8 offered that year and the mileage is listed as “100,000.” The seller says the Jimmy “fires up every time without hesitation. The small block Chevy purs nicely at idle & at cruising speeds. The oil pan appears to be leaking but has not had any stains left on the driveway. The three speed transmission shifts through all gears smoothly like new. The 4×4 engages like it should.” Every vehicle has a story behind it and I’d like to know what this Jimmy’s been up to the past 43 years to have aged so well. It looks like a true survivor. What do you think?
The 400 was available that year for the 4×4 Jimmy, and this unit looks very good for its age. Notice the rust repairs in the usual spots around the fender wells.
Looks pretty good for a 43 year old vehicle that was meant to be driven over some rough roads. Most of us who have been over some rough roads over the past 43 years don’t look as good as this one..
AC is locked up in a vehicle in Las Vegas? Must be a Spring, Fall, and Winter daily driver, because you don’t drive an enclosed vehicle in the Summer in that town!
The Hickey roof rack is a nice touch.
If it had the sliding windows with the roof rack it would be perfect.
One correction to the original article: At this time there were four trim levels (Custom, Sierra Grande, High Sierra, and Sierra Classic), not three, and this vehicle’s High Sierra trim level was actually two steps up from the base trim, featuring carpet and more bright trim on the instrument panel applique.
Nope, there was only standard and High Sierra that year https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1979-GMC-Jimmy.pdf
Nope, 1979 was only standard and High Sierra trim levels and either 2 or 4-wheel drive.
For the pickups it would be.
Blazer/Jimmy was available in only two trim levels. High Sierra was the only step up from the base Sierra trim (“Custom” was last used by GMC in ’74). The Chevy equivalents were Custom Deluxe, Scottsdale, Cheyenne and Silverado, with the Blazer available only as a Custom Deluxe or Cheyenne.