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Estate Sale Find: 1976 GMC 1500 Sierra Classic

This 1976 GMC 1500 Sierra Classic Pickup is about as tidy and clean as they come. It appears to have led a relatively pampered life, and the fact that it has spent the majority of it in California has helped it to remain rust-free. It features its original V8 under the hood and has enough creature comforts to make any trip a pleasant experience. Now located in Billings, Missouri, you will find the Sierra Classic listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $11,334 in what is a No Reserve listing.

The owner found this Pickup at an estate sale last year and decided that he needed to own it. When he purchased it, the vehicle wasn’t quite as shiny as it is now. The original Code ZY3 two-tone Catalina Blue and Skyline Blue paint was looking quite tired. However, after a wet sand and polish, it has come up looking a million dollars. It does shine nicely, with no signs of any significant flaws or issues. The paint in the bed is a bit rubbed, but there is none of the damage that might suggest that this Pickup has lived a hard life. Rust is not an issue with the 1500. The good people at Ziebart weaved their magic on the Pickup when it was new. When you combine that fact with so many years spent in California, the news is all positive. The exterior trim and chrome present exceptionally well, and I can’t spot any issues with the Soft Ray glass.

The interior of these classic pickups is where the age can tend to show. Life as a workhorse means that they are often prone to high levels of wear and tear. That isn’t the case with this GMC, as the interior is spotless. There are no rips on any of the upholstered surfaces, and no wear on the carpet. The dash is free from cracks and splits, with the pad looking as-new. One of the areas most prone to deterioration in these vehicles is the faux woodgrain trim. However, the condition of this is as impressive as the rest of the interior. Creature comforts include air conditioning, an AM radio, a clock, a tilt wheel, and factory floor mats.

The good news never seems to end with this 1500. Under the hood, we find the original 350ci V8, which is backed by a Turbo 400 automatic transmission and a 12-bolt rear end. Power steering and power brakes should combine to provide an effortless driving experience. The engine should be producing 175hp, but also an impressive 270 ft/lbs of torque. That latter figure means that this is a Pickup that could acquit itself effectively as a tow vehicle. It doesn’t have a hitch on it at present, but that’s a situation that would be easy to fix. Curiously, the owner doesn’t provide any details about how the Pickup runs or drives. However, with the engine bay presenting so well and a mere 105,000 miles showing on the odometer, the chances are that it is in good mechanical health.

This 1976 GMC 1500 Sierra Classic Pickup is a perfect example of how plans can change rapidly in the classic world. The owner purchased the vehicle intending to cut it down to a short-bed. However, when he realized how good it was, he didn’t have the heart to do that. I’m glad that he didn’t, because finding an example this clean and original today is becoming more difficult. It would seem that I’m not alone on this, because there have already been 24 bids submitted. So, do you want a clean pickup? If so, then why not join the bidding party?

Comments

  1. HoA Howard A Member

    What? Why is everybody looking at me,,,oh, right, my usual ” keep them 5 figure squarebody’s a coming” comment. Seems, aside from geomechs, we’re the only ones that actually drive them daily( if I had somewhere to go, that is) and for the umpty ninth time, they aren’t 5 figure vehicles, folks. I’m trying to bring some rationality to this foolishness, knock a digit off either end, is what I paid. Good deal? I suppose, but I wasn’t going to pay much more. Great trucks, could run them off a cliff, but I’d have to think, with the progress the pickup has made in the last 20 years, there’s bound to be some remorse on the 1st ride home. Biggest problem will be the confounded carburetor. I can hear it now,,,”pump the gas pedal,,what for?” Again, nice find, but by 1976 standards, not 2020.

    Like 6
    • Avatar Classic Steel

      I agree. I have this model in the 3/4 ton truck with 99% non rust . Mine one has dents and dings in the bed and pulls farm wagons and fire wood plus fence posts.

      I am not sure whats the next rare high dollar item? Is it S10 pickups?

      Like 0
    • Avatar Martin

      You can complain all you want about classic vehicle pricing, but the price is based on what the market will bear, and not what some guy with a keyboard thinks it should be. It is 2020 and prices reflect that.

      Like 7
      • HoA Howard A Member

        You bet I’m going to complain, darn it, I’ll be the last man standing on this issue. Mine just went up to $9,900, so I don’t infringe on my 5 figure stance. Guy with a keyboard, indeed.

        Like 2
    • Avatar Lee

      Dood, a 2020 Silverado similarity equipped is $40,000. Sure, a new one is far better, but collectors aside, this would be a excellent truck for someone that needs a truck once in a while.

      Like 0
      • HoA Howard A Member

        Lee, it’s NOT a 2020 Silverado. I bought mine for $1,400 bucks, just in case I “needed a truck once in a while”. People that have 5 figures to spend on a vehicle they only need “once in a while”, just doesn’t make sense to me. This foolishness can’t last, so sell ’em now before the bottom falls out, and rest assured the bottom WILL fall out.

        Like 0
  2. Avatar FordGuy1972 Member

    Up here in the Northeast, a 44 year-old original pickup in this condition is a rarity and can easily bring 5 figure prices. Maybe in other parts of the country pickups like this are more plentiful but not up here in New England where the rust never sleeps.

    I find it amazing that this pickup looks so good with over 100k miles on it. It seems to be in exceptional condition with all the bells and whistles and the 350 under the hood is a tried and true mill. I don’t know why anyone would want to chop a nice pickup like this GMC and turn it into a short box. Take the money you’ll get from selling this one, maybe throw in a few extra bucks and buy the pickup that you want.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar John C.

    I have always had a full size Chevy truck, not sure why so many people would rather have a short bed, guess who my friends call when they buy some furniture or something big and need to haul it home? ME, with my full size pickup, seems as what they bought won’t fit in their stub bed pickup! lol! This is a nice truck, looks like it somehow managed to stay away from the rust over the years.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Joe Haska

    There is one thig wrong with this truck and the owner knows it! Its a long box, I know that will bring up allot of comments, but just look at price’s and do the math. The owner didn’t choose to not put a short bed on it because of the condition. He probably paid too much for the truck, to recover the cost of a short bed. It sounds easy, but its not cheap. There is a shop here in Phoenix, that all they do is convert long bed C-10’s, into to short beds. Look at the sellers other C-10, which one do you like the best, if its the blue one, buy it, but don’t get upset, when peple say too bad its not a short box!

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Maverick

    Were is geomechs. Haven’t seen a post lately.

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Jamie

    I have to have this truck. Living in Florida it will be well preserved. The only thing I will hide it from is the hurricanes….

    Let’s see if I wave 9k in front of this guy. If no budge, then I move on.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bruce Jackson

      Good luck with that strategy, but it is a No Reserve auction (which means it will sell to the high bidder) and as of 11 AM Pacific Time, Sunday, 09/27/2020, the high bid is now up to $12,300, and with a couple days left in the bidding, as nice a truck that this is, I bet this sells for over $15K, and possibly as high as $20K. So, you are going to wave $9,000 at the seller? Really? Let us know how that goes…

      Like 2
  7. Avatar Brian Cady

    When I was ten years old, I went with my dad to buy a new 1976 High Sierra 4×4 long bed. It was white and green, and had the 400 V8 and 400 turbo trans. He drove that truck for sixteen years. I drove it a lot when I was in high school. It spent its whole life in the Az desert. No rust to be found on it, What I wouldn’t give to find that truck now!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Jamie

    Money talks bull crap walks.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar David G

    Sold for $13,100. Very clean truck.

    Like 0

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