GMC pickups from the early to mid-1960s seem to be popping up like weeds lately. Or I should say, like beautiful flowers, since they’re beautiful trucks, in my opinion. I like the GMC models for the unusual factor. We’ve seen two or three lately, one with a Chevrolet grille, but this 1962 GMC 1000 Custom Wideside truck looks like another nice one. It’s posted here on craigslist in Enumclaw, Washington and the seller is asking $4,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
This truck appears to have been “de-trimmed”, but it’s still a Custom as shown by the chrome front bumper, grille, and the bright trim around the windows. The lower level Deluxe had a painted front bumper and grille, and just bare rubber gaskets around the windows. GMC called these beds Wideside as opposed to the Fenderside beds that most people refer to as stepside. The paint and wheels could be changed out as far as I’m concerned, but we all like what we like.
There’s a dent in the tailgate as seen above, but other than a couple of rust spots, it looks like it’s in nice shape overall. The seller mentions rust in the door sills and bottoms of the front fenders, but those should be easy fixes. Replacement panels are available if welding isn’t the next owner’s bag. The 1000-series is a half-ton truck and in the Wideside bed, they were available in a 6.5-foot and 8-foot bed length. The Fenderside trucks could also be had in a 9-foot bed and that would be really unusual to see.
The interior looks surprisingly nice for a $4,000 truck, and speaking of that price, how is this one still for sale? $4,000 doesn’t buy much anymore, let alone a decent-looking truck like this. Sadly, the seller only included four photos, which means there isn’t an engine photo. This one is reported to have the 305-cu.in. OHV V6 with 165 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It goes through a four-speed manual to the rear wheels and $4,000 for this one seems like a no-brainer to me. Hagerty is at $9,600 for a #4 fair-condition truck. At $4,000 this is a killer buy, I wish it wasn’t a couple of thousand miles away. Any thoughts on this one?
Wow, we go from never seeing V6 early to mid 60s GMC pickups, to basically, take your pick!!! I agree with Scotty, what are you going to find for that price? Not much at all in this day and age. For what it is, there sure looks like theres a lot to work with, and these GMC V6 engines will run a good long time. I’d personally probably go another route than the wagon wheels. They seemed to be all the rage a few decades ago, you seemed to see them on everything, I even saw them on a 66 GTO once ( unique, but definitely not the right application for a Goat). The trim is unique on these too as Scotty pointed out, I’d definitely save all of it if it were mine.
As a former owner of a 1964 GMC 305/4spd pickup, it warms my heart to see the interest in what I’ve always believed to be the best work truck built in the 60s. Thanks, Scotty. Still holding out hope that we will find our family truck again.
Correct me if I’m right, but if the truck was a Custom it should have the wide rear window, and stainless trim on the rear pillar unless they weren’t offered that year. Later trucks of this generation did. This truck has probably had Custom trim added on later in its life. That V6 is a torquey motor but whoo boy it will eat gas. Big V6’s are not economy champs. That could be one reason it hasn’t sold.
Terrry, I believe the full rear window was an extra cost option no matter the trim level.
https://xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/1962-GMC-Pickups.pdf
Thats a great catalog!!! And sure enough, the large rear window was available for a ” slightly additional cost”. And did you see the stepside with whitewalls? I want that one!!!
Great write up and research Scotty. And thank you for the link to the catalog. It even has the gross and net horsepower for the 305 V6 listed as well.
There is ANOTHER ’62 GMC Custom on Fast Finds that just got posted. Theres only 2 pictures ( Craigslist Special) but it says Custom, and it has a chrome grill and the chrome side trim ( missing on this one) and looks like a small rear window from what I can see through the windshield picture. Where are all these coming from?
Its always a nice change to see GMCs here besides the Chevys once in a while.
Wow. What a cool truck for the money.
Does it have plaid valve covers?
Back in the 80’s, I lived in Texas and owned a 1966 Chevy Stepside. I fixed it up nice and sold it. I regret it to this day.
Wow, three in one week? Nice. Like the fleetside box. Someone was handy with the rattle can inside. I guess that adds character.
If this wasn’t on the opposite side of the country I would be making an offer. GLWTS.
My dad bought a new ’63 GMC. It was the V6 with a 3-speed. We were going down the road and he made the comment I don’t know why they put 3rd gear in this thing”. Then then stuck it up into second gear and ran it up to 75 mph and then into 3rd to top out at 80 mph. I thought he was gonna blow it up as it was really whining in 2nd gear. I don’t think he cared as the truck was a real gas hog. 32 cents a gallon was a lot of money.
Great truck, especially for $4k. I believe this one may have a chevy hood, with smaller turn signal light assemblies than GMC. (not that it makes any difference) I (Dad) had a ’64 GMC with V6 and 4-speed that I drove the heck out of when I was in high school
Listing update: someone must have grabbed this great-looking truck!