1950 GMC 150

Description

In the 1950s, if you had big stuff to move, you drove something like this 1950 GMC 150 pickup, what we today call a ¾-ton. Beefier and slightly larger than the usual Chevys, this GMC also offers a larger engine, more chrome, and the ability to get the job done.

The shape is familiar, as it shares its DNA with one of the most popular post-war pickups and the look is a good one. Rounded lines emphasize ideal proportions and an old-fashioned look, but if you park this GMC next to a standard Chevy 3100, you'll quickly discover that they're not quite the same. The bright red paint is always right on a pickup, and many of us have fond memories of a truck like this hauling gear around a farm or parked at a local hardware store. Today, they're highly-sought collectables, so if you're looking to make a move, why not something a little out-of-the-ordinary like this GMC? The paint is quite nice, probably too nice to actually get any work done these days, and it fits together superbly. Accessories include the external visor painted to match the bodywork and the shiny chrome grille guard on the bumper that makes the GMC look massive from the front. The bed is beautifully finished, as is the custom with vintage pickup trucks these days, and the side-mounted spare tire gives it a utilitarian look that's quite appealing. Even the chrome is nicely finished, giving the big GMC a look of distinction befitting its status as a high-end pickup.

The interior is spartan and plain, but comfortable and ready to go. A new vinyl seat cover protects the original bench seat, there's a fresh rubber mat on the floor for hose-it-out utility, and the door panels are little more than cardboard panels to hide the inner workings, but that's how they were built. Big round instruments give us all the vitals and the steering wheel is massive to give the driver leverage on the unassisted steering. Air conditioning comes via an accessory fan mounted on the dash, and this is a rather rare beast, as it carries an original AM radio, which wouldn't become standard equipment for decades. The 4-speed manual still uses a floor shifter in the 3/4-ton trucks, with first being an ultra-low gear for pulling power. It's all in very nice shape and ready to use.

GMC used a slightly larger inline-six, displacing 228 cubic inches to the Chevy's 216. Those extra 12 cubes make a difference, offering a modest bump in torque and the same smooth power delivery and grumbly exhaust note that makes them so much fun to drive. It's not detailed for show under the hood, but it is quite tidy and functional, with lots of evidence that this truck has led a good life. It starts quickly, idles well, and pulls easily through the gears, happily cruising at 50 MPH without complaint. The longer wheelbase that allows an 8-foot bed also provides a smoother ride despite the heavy leaf springs at both ends, and the drum brakes are effective.

Early truck fans looking for something a little unusual should give this GMC a closer look. Call today!