This 1975 GMC Jimmy High Sierra is described as one of the nicest ones left by the seller, and pictures seem to indicate this may be a very real possibility. The truck appears to be a completely stock survivor that remains in exceptional condition with under 40,000 original miles from new. Although it has been repainted, it otherwise remains in stock condition with some nice factory options. Find it here on eBay where bids have reached over $30,000 and the reserve remains unmet.
The fact the reserve isn’t met doesn’t surprise me at all, as this truly does look like a very nice truck. The repaint is a bummer, especially since it was likely in respectable condition when the seller purchased it from the estate of the longtime original owner in California. Still, perfection is a must for some collectors, especially so when the truck has survived so well. It may have been a case of being 98% of the way to showroom perfection, with the repaint pushing it the remainder of the way to becoming the showstopper it is today. Check out the dealer-installed solid steel wheels.
The interior is similarly time-capsule like, with gorgeous carpets, an uncracked dash, handsome wood veneer inserts, and seats in near-perfect condition. While the wood is nothing like you’d find in a Jaguar or Bentley, it’s still in fine shape and lends an aura of class to a truck otherwise found on beaches and trailheads, likely covered in sand or dirt. The paint combination is pretty as-is, but the blue interior really sets it off. The radio is correct but not the original unit, and the A/C still blows cold. The transmission is noted as a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic unit.
Engine-wise, the seller had the matching 350 / four-barrel rebuilt to use modern fuel, and is said to run fine under any conditions. The seller also installed Warn locking hubs, but retained the originals. A 31-gallon fuel tank will ensure you get wherever you want to go, but I’m not sure a truck this clean is destined for anything other than the show circuit. While I love Jimmys and Blazers in this sort of condition, it does make you wonder how it will be used when using it as intended would put its pristine condition in jeopardy; regardless, bidders don’t seem to be worried.
Repaint and a rebuilt engine……reaching on this one
These trucks are great fun. I have a 1975 Blazer in decent driver condition. Mine is not nearly as nice as this one, but that means I actually drive it alot in the summer. It is winter-stored, and we drive with roof off all summer. I am a car collector, and sometimes get more interest with the topless Blazer than exotics or muscle cars.
It even comes with 2 sets of solid steel wheels…this guy is a moron
Wy is that Weasel?
Solid steel wheels aside…38,000 miles but repainted to “factory specs”even though it “looked good” and having the engine rebuilt “to use today’s fuel”. Do you want more? The seller is proud of the correct but not original AM radio? Sweet. But at the end of the day none of us will ever forget the estate of the mighty Willard Frank Monroe of West Covina , CA.
The add is probably 300 words and this is the information chosen to give the buying public…that’s why.
Good point.🤔👍🇺🇸
If mine, I’m adding 2 blue rotating lights to the roof and Amity Police on the doors.
You’re gonna need a bigger wallet!
Very nice! I would love to have this one at my place. I’m not fussy about a re-spray because I’ve seen a lot of these in original livery still looking good. However…
I’m sure it has a full-time transfer case. If it does then it undoubtedly has a conversion kit installed. When you’re running that you need to keep the front driveshaft engaged so the chain can bring lube up to the gearcase. Otherwise it will run dry and cost you a small fortune to fix. My strong advice: Change it back; full-time FWD amounts to a loss of maybe a mile per gallon; more often than not you can’t measure the difference. And that’s after checking many trucks on a dealership level.
Overall this is a great truck; I wish I could afford it…
I recall auto trans versions as having the full time, and manual transmission versions having locking hubs. I don’t know enough about it to tell you what the difference in the transfer cases is, so there’s no telling if the transfer case was swapped.
I bought one new in 1974 and ordered the 4 speed manual trans. It had full time 4W/D but I don’t recall now if I spec’ed it that way of if that was the standard unit. I think those transfer cases were built by New Process.
The NP203 came out in ‘73. It was pushed hard by GM and the only FWD offered by Dodge. Ford, not so much. GM did offer the 205 behind a manual transmission but it was a special order. You could not get the Part Time (205) case behind an automatic until ‘79. That’s actually the way I ordered my ‘79 GMC but after three consecutive delays had to switch to the Full-Time (203) case. I heard that the chain was discontinued. So far the original version is. But I’ve done a couple of later (‘76 – up) ones in the past year and a half and had no trouble finding a replacement chain. Now that I’m ready to do the one in my own truck it’ll be just my luck that it won’t be available…
I own a very nice survivor 75 Blazer and discovered this year, to my chagrin, that the chain for the NP203 transfer case has been discontinued by all three aftermarket companies that were making it. That $89 chain has now jumped in price to $300 or more, if and when you can find one. Took a few months of searching to turn one up. Seems most owners are converting to NP205 and hubs when the 203 gives up.
There was a lot going on in those days as to what transfer case your K5 came with varying vastly depending on year, engine or transmission choice.
I cannot speak with certainty about GMC’s specs as I don’t have any Jimmy specific literature, but my ’75 Blazer catalog lists the np203(full-time) for any V8 equipped vehicle, np205 for I-6 versions regardless of transmission
geomechs I have a 1973 GMC K15 longbox that is factory equipped with automatic trans, NP205 and hubs. It’s all original and the SPID confirms it. It may be an early built truck with leftover 1972 drivetrain. The body is rusty but the drivetrain is in perfect order. It’s a great combo. I’m holding on to that truck to use the parts in a “someday” Blazer, Jimmy, or SWB truck project.
You know, as soon as I mentioned that I remember a couple of customers of mine with automatics with 205 transfer cases. I am quite sure that combination was not available for the ‘74 model year. Memories can be like a rabbit’s tail: short and fuzzy…
Your minds are both good. From ’74-’79, the automatic transmission GM trucks had the full-time NP 203 transfer case, and the 4 speed manual trucks had the part-time NP 205 case. Dodge had the NP 203 from ’75-’79 on all configurations. Ford was a little late to the game with the ’77-’79 4 speed trucks having the part-time NP 205 case, while the automatic trucks came standard with part-time NP 205, and optional availability of full-time NP 203 case.
I REALLY like this truck..damn I’d have to win lottery to get one i guess..at $30k..
It would seem that GMC being the “luxury brand” would tout the full-time 4wd feature. Vintage brochures may clear things up.
Dig the camper
This is a nice, restored truck. But I call BS on the mileage and originality claims. Respray and an engine rebuild to “use today’s gas?” Horsefeathers. All vehicles by 1975 were mandated to burn unleaded fuel, and a carb rebuild would be needed to cope with ethenol fuels. I’m guessing while the engine was being rebuilt and the body was being painted, a new interior went in as well.
Nice truck and the guy spent some money to paint it and rebuild the motor!! I have an original bronco and I can say that driving with the top off in the woods or on the road is a great experience!! It seems crazy nevertheless what the price of these trucks are reaching these days!!