Of all the square-body GM trucks out there (and there are many), few hold the moniker “Royal”. GM made multiple special-edition trucks in those days, and this example is up for bids right now, here on eBay, out of Starkville, Mississippi. Let’s see what makes it so special!
We figure that we don’t need to give you the back-story on GM square-body trucks, so we’ll skip that history lesson.
The “Royal Sierra” was, in essence, a trim package that one could custom-order (back in the day when you checked the boxes on a paper form, to order any number of option combinations that you wanted – no pre-selected, ‘get-what-we-give-you’ like so many newer cars today) at a discounted price, come the end of the sales year. Certain unique features were standard on the Royal Sierra, like a striped seat, but you could get things like air conditioning, power accessories, and full gage package, all at a discounted price. If our sources are correct, only about 500 units were made like this between 1975 and 1981, as a purely promotional gimmick. That said, there can’t be very many of them left. We’ve only featured one previously and that was nearly two years ago!
Looking now at the example presented, we can see a truck that looks to be all there, in spite of its lack of shiny exterior. The interior looks great, the engine bay looks pretty clean, the bed looks solid, and the rear bumper appears never to have made contact with a solid object. The seller tells us the story of a truck that was bought new in Mississippi, stored away and neglected for 40 years, then brought out and put back on the road. We’re told that it only has 41,000 miles on it, runs and drives well, and comes with some paperwork as a bonus. Of particular note is the two-page SPI (RPO) tag in the glovebox!
All in all, I think it’s really neat. Low-volume production is one of my favorite attributes in a vintage auto, and the gray-over-red is a classic color combination. If it is in as good of mechanical condition as the seller says, it might be a really good entry-level unit, that you could drive as-is.
That’s what I think, what do you think? Let us know!
Nice truck overall. It looks like it was never used very hard. I’m rather skeptical over the claimed mileage though. 41K miles? Unless something was amiss those engines lasted a lot longer than that so I wonder what happened to the engine. I might add that the air cleaner tells me it’s covering a 305 in that bay. The A-C is obviously amiss because the belt is missing. One of the first things I would do is get the A-C back in operation. Drive it and see just how good it is…
Geomechs,
Yes, the air cleaner lid was throwing me off. So used to seeing 4 barrel engines in these here in California. I think this one may have been special ordered by the first owner, who didn’t check the order box for power brakes. Can’t see a dealership stocking such a vehicle, as it would be much harder to sell without power brakes. Sucks having to stand on the pedal with both feet and hope and pray that you will come to a complete stop in less than thirty five minutes, lol. It would not be a good truck for a potential buyer to test drive at the dealership. Door panels suggest the trim is based off the GMC equivalent of Chevrolet’s Scottsdale trim, which is one step above the base Custom Deluxe. Glad my ’78 GMC C-35 has the Sierra Classic trim level. These are great trucks, especially when optioned right. This example is very clean and obviously not abused, but the 305, 2.76 rear gear, no F44 payload option, and manual brakes take away some of the thrill that is found on better optioned specimens.
I was the proud owner of a 1979 GMC royal sierra. I was the second owner. The first owner had health problems and need it and automobile. he traded it in and I purchased it in 1981, and drove it for 20 years. It came with a 305 engine and a 350 automatic transmission, AM/FM radio air condition long wheelbase. It was actually the best truck I ever own. it even get good gas mileage and you could ride on long trips for hours and never be tired of riding. If I had the money I would buy this one. and 1981 I paid $10,000 for the truck.
My goodness, a “ROYAL” Sierra, ( whistles),,makes my “High Sierra” seem like crap,,,it’s the same truck, people. No, no, Russell, keep telling people how valuable square-bodies are, only adds fodder to my cause ( by the way, I realize the irony of that statement with my views on overpriced trucks) You know, maybe, if you can’t beat them, join them, anybody wants to give me $6900 for mine, I’ll drive the SOB there,,,( gas not included in delivery)
Howard, that is a heck of an offer, to drive it to the buyer (less gas), and for $6900 sell price!
Not sure where you are located,
but a decent pickup of this type—and note that you did not establish the condition of your pickup, but if you are comfortable driving it potentially across the US—or halfway across if your are in the Midwest, then that is a testament to its performance right there—can easily bring $6900.
So, maybe list it on Barn Finds so we can all see it (include a reasonable number of photos please) with that same delivery offer, and you very likely will get it sold. FYI, I am in Oregon, so even from Kansas City, that’s an 1800 mile drive, so you better make sure the radio works for entertainment!
If it’s a 4×4 I’ll take it
I wonder about the narrow brake pedal…was that an assembly line goof, was it added later in the truck’s life, or did trucks with automatic transmissions and manual brakes get the narrow pedal? Not a bad truck, but not for me (I’d want three pedals and–if it’s a long wheelbase–a stepside bed).
AMFMSW,
If you live near an Army or Air Force base, you may stumble upon what you are looking for. The BX (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) had a huge fleet of ’78-’79 Chevrolet C-30 pickups, mostly step sides. They were base trim, (Custom Deluxe) with 292 engines, 4 speed manual trans, power steering, power brakes (one ton, so hydroboost of course), and no A/C. Great, rugged trucks, and not often do you see the 8 foot step side beds, very unique. Typing this is making me want one for myself now.
There were (and are) a few such facilities near me. However, I’d want a truck that was spared the insipid Michigan road salt. I’ll look in areas near large bases where road salt isn’t prevalent. Thanks for that tip!
Its weirs the way you could order trucks 30-40 years ago. I recall coming across a 72 c10 cheyenne super all chromed out but sporting a 240 6cyl, 3ott manual steering and brakes. It makes me wonder if the salesman bothered to mention to the buyer “you do realize you loaded this thing up with a bunch of shiny stuff and AC, but with no power brakes, its going to be kind of a pain to drive and the 305 2 barrel wont get out of its own way. A 350 four barrel wont be noticeably worse on gas if you drive it right, and will give you the power when you need it.” I wonder if it has power steering… Probably even worse. My family had a red 76 c10 custom deluxe with ps pb and ac that originally came with a 350 4 barrel. (Precious owner pulled it for an LS5 454 out of a 70 Monte Carlo. With 3:08 gears it had a top end like no other!) No chrome anywhere but it was built as a “heavy half” as indicated by me having a hard time getting the right rear brake shoes at one point. I would take a truck like it again over one equipped like this, or upgrade it like we were known to do in my younger days. My brother had a 72 c10 with a 307/ 3ott, manual brakes and steering. A weekend trip to the salvage yard yielded all the parts to add power steering power brakes and an auto trans (th400 which was rebuilt before installing.) no idea why he went with it instead of a th350. It never gave him any trouble, though! I learned later that big block th400 trucks usually had a “high hump” trans cover, but there was no interference in his truck that i recall.
The answers to many of the things about which we’re speculating can be found on the Service Parts Information tag.
The YG6 and YG7 RPOs tell us that Chevy equivalent to the Royal Sierra was the Bonanza, which is based on a truck equipped with the Z62 Cheyenne/Sierra Grande trim level. What’s unsaid but obvious in the pictures is that what differentiated the base Z62 trucks from those with the YG6/YG7 package, at least exterior appearance-wise is that the black and silver vinyl molding that was mounted just below the upper body feature line that came on solid colored trucks with the Z62 package was replaced by the stainless steel moldings that normally were added to Z62-level trucks only with the ZY3/ZY4/ZY5 two-tone paint options.
The SPI also tells us that Steve’s speculation about the truck possibly lacking power steering was right on the money — there’s no N41 present among those RPOs.
I didnt see power steering on the spid label. I was pretty sure it would be there if so equipped.
Engine is too clean. Doesn’t appear to be the right shade of blue either. Everything else in engine bay looks it’s age, rusty but no grime
My cousin has a 1979 Sierra Classic that he bought new, there;s a place here in New Mexico called Mild to Wild that did a frame off on his truck the truck is amazing. I remember when he bought it I was green with envy because I had a 1972 Chev pick-up that was as plain as can be and when he showed up with his NEW Jimmy I couldn’t belive how nice it was and is. On a side note he is one of the few people that got me started working on cars , he had a 1965 Mustang convertable, Thank you Leo
We had a ‘74 with disc brakes and a skinny pedal. You had to push so hard on it to stop that I suspect the regular pedal might break off if you pushed on just one side. I ended up having knee surgery due to those brakes. I don’t miss that truck.