This 1950 GMC truck is an original California ride and it used to be a long box! Yep, it has been converted to a short bed by “professionally” cutting the frame and bed along with replacing the running boards to fit the new length. The engine has been rebuilt and is ready to be a daily driver. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $5,600 and a buy-it-now price of $6,950. Still located in the California city of Auburn, it comes with black plates and a clean title. The seller says it had some restoration work done in the 1980s and is a solid project. Have a look for yourself!
As mentioned before, the original 228 cubic inch inline-six has been rebuilt and is said to start right up. The ad also says it idles smoothly with good oil pressure and can be driven as-is. The brakes have also been done as well and it has a new battery.
As you can see the interior looks pretty comfortable. Obviously the seat is re-covered, but the dash and door panels look stock. The seller says all the lights and gauges work including the horn and wipers. There is a crack in the windshield, but the other glass is good. The weatherstripping and window felts have been replaced at some point, so it is pretty quiet while cruising.
Here you can see the short bed. If you didn’t tell someone it had been shortened, they probably wouldn’t know. The ad says the truck is super solid but has a few pinholes in one of the cab corners. The floors and doorposts are all “very good” and the sheet metal is straight. Overall, this seems like a cool old truck that would be a fun driver. What do you think?
Drive it as it is, and garage it next fall for a metal repair and repaint. Looks like an honest old truck..
Grey speedometer, yellow gauge cluster. One of them isn’t original, and since it’s a ‘50, I’d say it’s the speedo.
This is a good find. An honest truck, capable of highway travel( but not much more) Not sure about the shortening, why would someone do that? Could be a cause for concern depending how it’s done, and it’s a 1950 truck with no updates, something also to take note of. Still, looks like an affordable vintage pickup.
All that work to shorten it, rebuild the engine, and they don’t bother to fix the rust or to paint it. I guess there is still hope with the next owner. Nice find.
Howard, I can’t believe you can ask “Why would you do that”. I know from following ,Barn Finds, you are a regular contributor and knowledgeable car guy. This is a basic concept of collectible, atomobile pricing and values. There are several basic statistics and data that you can look at for a understanding of this and some statements about values in general. You may not agree with them, but they have been around for a long time and they are factual, like them or not. There are exceptions to every rule but it is not the best bet. See if you agree with these! Top goes down price goes up. Four doors ,two to many. A Duece is not a 32 Dodge. Fords from 32 to 48 ,have always been the predominant choice for old school Hot Rodders. From 1953 to present the older Corvettes are the most valuable. Not all Thunderbirds are colllectable. Resale Red. I could keep going, including shortbox pick ups ,are more popular than long boxes, that’s why. I can’t believe , you don’t know that or want to recognize it ,as truth in pricing of collectible cars.
Well Joe, I appreciate your concern, but it’s a classic pickup, that in itself should be enough, no matter the length. Short beds are popular, I own one, but to go through the hassle of cutting the frame, torque tube, running boards, different box, who knows what nightmares lie ahead. Seems like a lot, just to gain a sale. I had semi truck frames repaired, and it takes a knack. Sorry, I’d stay clear of a truck with a frame messed with like this.
Howard sorry, I would have to diagree again. Its not that hard depending on the shape and price of the truck. The secret to this GMC, would be if you had a short bed and a tourque tube. Sometimes P/U beds have as many as 6 bolts mounting them. Here In AZ. I met a kid ,that his only business is making C-10 LWB P/U’s into SWB trucks. Used beds are actually easy to source ,and of course they are open drive, also when they are lowered ,the frame needs to be C-notched anyway. All late model lowered Chev P/U’s have to have a C notch in the frame , I have never heard of a problem. Of course a semi is a little larger than a 1/2 ton P/U. If I found a very nice LWB C-10 or laterer P/U,and it was the exact truck I wanted , I wouldn’t hesitate a minute to shorten it. This kid in Az charges around 2K to do it, if it is a nice truck the cost is worth it. Of course every situation is unique to the trucks. I would consider a C-10 a classic truck, look at the difference in price of short and long boxes and see if it is worth it.
It’s possible that the frame was straight enough that the spring saddles were just moved forward and the back of the frame just cut off. That’s what I’d do. I’ve done frame stretches on big truck and if there jigged up right before you make the cuts it’s not that hard to do. But I do have to admitted I am a welder fabricator and mechanic.