1955 GMC 150 project truck

Hey all, I picked up a new '55 GMC 150 (3/4 ton) project a few weeks ago and thought I would share it here. It is a former service truck (plumber then electrician) that spent it's life in the Flagstaff, AZ area. I got it through some good friends.

The truck had sat for a number of years since last being used regularly in the early 90s. It was a high school auto shop project about 20 years ago and a number of things, including the 248 GMC staright 6 were rebuilt then. The truck has about 500 miles on it since the rebuilds. There is no rust through anywhere but the years of service use and a few miss calculations when someone backed out of a garage with the doors open left the doors pretty jacked up. The lower hinge pockets inside the doors are fatigued and cracked badly and I had to drill out the factory spot welds to relace them with panels from Brother's Truck Parts. I have already rebuilt all the hinges as well.

The great part of it is that the engine purrs like a kitten. The 4 speed seems strong along with the clutch. The brakes are all in great shape as well and the wiring has already been replaced. Initial plans are to just straighten out the doors, massage a out a few small dents and drive it around at my cabin up in "Rim Country" in Northern AZ (25-30 degrees cooler in the summer from the hot valley temps). I want it to be pretty much stock and ultimately will replace the rims and tires on it for something more original (including the old painted GMC hubcaps).

Here are a bunch of pics:

Here is where it sat the last few years:



Here I am during the tow home in Holbrook, AZ at the Wigwam Hotel on Route 66:



I had to strap the doors shut as niether side would close properly:



Here it is in my shop in N. AZ getting some needed TLC:















As you can see the wife and dogs are really helping

 

Nice truck! That dry climate sure preserves the old iron. Here in Wisconsin most are rusted off around the bottom 8 inches.

 

WOW!!! Conjoined Yellow Labs; those are rare. But seriously, nice looking, old truck with a ton of potential. I have a 56 Chevrolet half ton I plan on calling about, but it's been sitting for a long time; in this part of the country (rain, rain, and more rain), old cars/trucks don't hold up too well. Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

That looks like it's in great shape. My nephew has a '56 GMC with mild body damage...I keep trying to motivate him to start working on it. These trucks are beautiful when restored. Keep us posted...

 

Very cool, looking forward to your build.

 

Good looking truck, like the GMC grille.

 

that's in damn decent shape. Everything so far looks pretty solid. I'll be watching for a build thread on this one. I'm starting on a 56 Chevy 1/2 ton as we speak

 

Nice truck. Will look much better with the stock wheels and caps.

Cant wait to see

 

Thanks all - it's going to be fun working on and putting around in this one.

 

Struggling on door alignment - can't wait to get past it. I think it's a typical 55-59 GM Pickup issue.

 

I love GMC pickups, I might be getting a 57 150 tomorrow on a 4x4 chassis, looking forward to it

 

Sweet truck man! That thing is in a little better shape than mine was....I love the Wigwam motel in Holbrook. I get to drive past there every tuesday when I deliver paint to bellybutton and show low.

 

Where about it Flag was that truck? I remember seeing another one exactly like it maybe 6 years ago for sale, may be the same one?? Although I think this one was a 4wd can't remember...

 

It was actually in Kachina south of Flag. I got it from my son's girlfriend's uncle. It had been in the family for years and sat close to 8 years from what I have been told. It was used by an electrician and before that a plumber for many years. Underneath the original paint looks like Forest Service green so may have started life as a Forest Service vehicle.

 

Sweet! I know a couple people out in Kachina. You ever see those cars sitting in the trees off I 17 around that area?

 

I know the folks who own those cars - they are friends with the folks I got the truck from. I have a separate thread on here about those cars and one of them turns out to be fairly rare: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=702322&highlight=help+me+id+yard+art

 

Done anything to your truck lately?

 

I got it ready and have it at paint now in Heber, AZ. I found some solid steel wheels that will give me an original look and have nailed down the color. I am now confident that I am the 3rd owner and the truck was originally purchased by the Plumber in Flag in 1955. The 2nd owners who I got it from have known it sisnce new.

 

So is your truck still in paint jail?

 

Yup. Hoping it will be done around Christmas time or so. The bed came out real nice.

 

Had some more progress at the paint shop. I should probably have her back in the next 3 weeks or so...

 

Here are the wheels/tires going on it. Steel smooth 16" 8 lug wheels and Kenda 16x7.50 10 ply E rated Bias ply tires...

 

Looking faaaaaaaantastic!

 

Your wife and dogs remind me of mine also in my shop .I get a lot of THATS NICE DEAR .lol.Ilove the look of the bumper and grill It seems to say don't mess with me. I love the color too . Great work. Bruce.

 

Nice looking good!

 

That looks like the same color as my 55.

 

I am happy and sad to see your great progress on you truck. I have a 56 GMC 100 and it's great seeing a GMC instead of its uglier brother. I was happy installing a new rear bumper yesterday, but now feel like I didn't do anything. As soon as I figure out what to do about a stripped head bolt, I will be cruising again.

 

Looks great! Looking forward to seeing pics of it back together.

 

Here are some updated shots. Still has the old wheels/tires on, not my planned bias plys.

 

Nice! Looking good! Is it drivable now?