Some people don’t realize that Chevrolet and General Motors Corporation (GMC) produce different vehicles. Urban legend says that GMC-designated vehicles are built with more care and to a higher standard. I’m not sure about that theory, but it does make for an interesting discussion between car people. The fact is, while they share a ton of the same parts, there are some differences between Chevys and GMCs, especially when it comes to nomenclature. Chevy makes a Tahoe, and GMC makes a Yukon. Chevy makes a Silverado, and GMC makes a Sierra. This 1976 GMC is not a Blazer…It is a Jimmy. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $10,400 and the reserve hasn’t been met yet. The seller makes sure you know it is a Jimmy by mentioning it more than fifty times in the ad. Located in Sandpoint, Idaho, this seems to be a pretty nice old GMC. Let’s check it out.
The only real issue with the interior seems to be the upholstery on the front seats. You can see some obvious wear and rips that detract from the overall condition. Although the front buckets aren’t too great, the rear bench is in much better condition. The seller says the instrument clusters are “nice and bright” and all the gauges work. The dash pad has a few cracks, which isn’t surprising. Everything else seems to be pretty good.
Under the hood lies a 350 small block that the ad says retains most of its factory equipment. There is a new Edelbrock carburetor mounted on top of a Holley intake manifold. There is an exhaust leak, but other than that, the seller says the engine is a good runner that doesn’t smoke and has good power. Backing the engine is a turbo 350 transmission. Other than a small leak, the drivetrain is said to be in good working order.
As you can see, the paint is starting to get a little thin in some spots. It certainly looks like a nice Jimmy from a distance, but like most older 4x4s, it is showing its age in spots. Overall, it seems like a really nice old SUV. If you’ve been in the market for a vintage Blazer or Jimmy, this might be the one for you. What do you think?
It’s my squarebody if it was a Jimmy. I always was told, a GMC was a Chevy with lockwashers. There was a time when they really were different trucks, but by this time, they were the same as a Blazer. Fact is, the cost for both was almost the same new, about $5364. Exhaust leak, with headers? How odd( cough), nice truck. Can’t go wrong here. You won’t find one north of I-80, that’s for sure.
I agree with your post wholeheartedly Howard. In 1978 I ordered a new Chevy Blazer from a local Chevy dealership. When it arrived I went to look at it and was surprised to see GMC ornamentation all over it. The salesman told me not to worry about it. When they finished the dealer prep all the placards and ornamentation would be bow ties and Blazer. He told me that was the only difference between a GMC and a Chevy.
I was always told GMC was Generic Motor Coach.
Gotta Mechanic Comin
It’s a blazer, the only surprise, is that it hasn’t rusted into Bolivia by now
Blazer, Jimmy I honestly really don’t differentiate as I’m personally always referring to them as K5s. From ’73 upwards there really wasn’t much difference other than a different grille insert and names/trim level, up to ’72 then at least they came with different grille at least to set them apart. There was a time when GMC was able to offer unique engine options more targeted towards professional or heavy duty usage.
Nice K5 by the way, I observe it has something that looks like Hickey spare carrier brackets. That’s a clever move to gain some extra cubes inside the cab ‘cuz believe it or not; a K5 hasn’t really that much interior space considering its exterior dimensions
Can we get pictures of the rocker panels and behind the front wheel wells?
My 84 rusted in the cargo floor board area bad enough you got fumes from the exhaust! Once that was patched along with lower door skins I put a 355 with long tube headers & a lumpy camshaft, lift kit. Loved that truck was living in northwest Ohio & needed it unless being stuck or stranded was acceptable. Summer was great with the top off as well, the best times of my life. Good rig if fixed up right
I was a truck driver and years ago they used to call GMC,
Great Mountain Climbers sarcastically as they couldn’t climb and
ant hill without downshifting a couple of times!
But times have changed, GMC builds a superior product then Cheverolet as you can see in the price and the way they are made and as they say,
GMC is professional grade!
They both come off the same assembly line other than GMC having a bit more sound insulation and or little nice trim package they are the same. I bought 6 new ones 2 GMC’s and 4 Chevys the decision was made by the dealer I had to work with.
Funny my dad once bought 1987 GMC S15 brand new. It came in with S15 on the drivers side and S10 on the passenger side! He had a week before someone he worked with noticed it and let him know. The dealer ordered a replacement emblem and it became all GMC again a week later.
I looked at a 78 Buick Riviera which had an Electra on the glovebox. Same with other cars brother cars like Chevy/GMC and such.
I special ordered a 2020 Silverado 3500 dually and got to go see it being made. Chevy and gmc come down the same line, and differ basically on trim, details, fender styling, etc. Mechanically the same pretty much.
Ended early, someone must have made an offer he couldn’t refuse.