GMC has an interesting history, to say the least. Founded 125 years ago in 1900 as the Grabowsky Motor Company, two years later it was renamed Rapid Motor Vehicle Company. In 1909, William “Billy” Durant got control of the company and it became part of General Motors Company. The seller has this 1979 GMC K-1500 Jimmy 4×4 listed here on eBay in Annandale, Minnesota, the current bid price is $5,100, but the reserve isn’t met.
In 1911, William C. Durant’s GM started a truck division called General Motors Truck Company and combined the former Grabowsky Bros’ Rapid Motor Vehicle Company into it, and a year later it was streamlined into General Motors Company coffers. As a premium (i.e., profitable) GM brand such as Buick, it survived the 2008 GM consolidation that eventually led to the end of Pontiac, Saturn, and Hummer.
You can see some rust on this Jimmy and I assumed it was a Minnesota vehicle, but there are California plates shown with a 2016 tag so we don’t know the history and the seller doesn’t mention where it was from. They do say that it has 72,000 miles (72,246 is shown on the odometer) and it looks great other than some rust that you can see in the fantastic gallery of photos the seller has provided. Parts of the underside appear to have been coated with something but we don’t know for sure. I love the fishing bumper stickers, and that five-gallon spare gas can would be handy for trips to the fishing hole; just in case.
The second-generation GMC Jimmy was made from 1973 through 1991 in both C (rear-wheel drive) and K (4WD) versions and they were all two-door body styles. The interior looks good and this is a High Sierra trim level so it’s a bit nicer than some others. But, there are cracks in the dash (a sure sign of a California vehicle rather than a Minnesota vehicle), cracks in some of the seat vinyl, and it’s generally in need of some cosmetic work. The back seat looks great and the rear cargo area looks fairly clean. The rear window in this era of Jimmy and Blazer is known for being somewhat troublesome, but the seller says this one is power-operated and operates as it should.
The engine is Chevrolet’s 350-cu.in. OHV V8 with 160 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque when new. Power flows through a 700-R4 four-speed automatic and a transfer case to all four wheels when needed. Please check out the seller’s listing as they have provided a boatload of great photos. Very nicely-presented, seller! Any thoughts on this Jimmy?
Well Scott. Once again I learned something new on Barnfinds today. Grabowsky Motor Company?? Never would’ve guessed that one. And whats funny is, GMC, it has the same initials!!! This Jimmy/Blazer looks pretty solid from the photos. This is another bucket lister for me as well. I always liked these.
Exceptionally nice, especially with the minimal aging that it wears for an original 46 year old SUV-almost too nice, particularly underneath. But there are those among us that are OCD about that sort of thing to the point that this owner very well may have engaged the 4WD once a week for a few miles to insure lubrication per the instructions.
All in all a nice Jimmy waiting patiently for a new owner amongst several other nice cars and trucks there.
GLWTA
This is a nice Jimmy though there are easily spotted defects that will need addressing they are common to a vehicle this age. Based on the body and interior condition I don’t think the under side is original, it has at least been cleaned and recoated. Wether it’s a good value all depends on what the reserve is
4spd auto ? Would’ve guessed a 3spd autobox on these.
That’s what I would have thought, Stan. The seller lists a 4-speed automatic and this brochure lists a four-speed automatic as an option on the last page. I would have guessed a three-speed and it very well could be.
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1979-GMC-Jimmy.pdf
3 speed manual, 4 speed manual, 3 speed automatic were the only options in 1979
4 speed auto started in 1982
Thanks for the update, Fred. Now that I look at that brochure enlarged a bit more, there is a comma between 4-speed and automatic.
Turbohydramatic 400 would be bullet proof in this truck, but I think you could get the Turbohydramatic 350 in these too.
Brown truck with white and red interior?huuuuuum
They wanted to match the gas can on the back!
That color combo surprised me, I was expecting beige/tan (“Buckskin”) vinyl with or without the plaid cloth seat facings.
TH350 was the most common choice. TH400 was usually found behind a big block.
Scott mentioned a cracked dash as affirming time in California from heat. Trust me plenty of those in Mn. from temp. extremes, too. Annandale is about 45 mi l es west of the Twin Cities.