54 gmc hydromatic 100 concept truck

[Cjcolbyjack]

Can anyone tell me anything about this truck. Here's what I do know. The story goes this truck was on display at a county fair in Atlanta Georgia in 1954. It must have been some kind of concept truck because it has a Pontiac v8 the bed is 7' long (I thought they only came with 6' and 9' beds?) I've never seen a heater like this one or the mirrors. It also has a open driveshaft that I thought didn't come out until 55.







Can anyone tell me what it may be worth? Thanks !!

[Cjcolbyjack]

I will send pics of the v8 motor shortly

[Rude Dude]

No it not a concept vehicle, GMC in 1954 could be ordered with v8 but had Pontiac motors and open drive train. Also GMC had more varied bed selection than it cousin the chevy in 54 and V8 option chevy was not offer it until 2nd series came out. There are some 1955 first series trucks with open diffs very rare.

[Cjcolbyjack]

Originally Posted by Rude Dude

No it not a concept vehicle, GMC in 1954 could be ordered with v8 but had Pontiac motors and open drive train. Also GMC had more varied bed selection than it cousin the chevy in 54 and V8 option chevy was not offer it until 2nd series came out. There are some 1955 first series trucks with open diffs very rare.

Bummer, so you're saying it's not that rare after all? Gmc has always built a better truck then Chevy imo. Oh well I can't complain. it's a 5 window and I only paid 1800. So is the tropical aire heater common in a gmc also?

[joedoh]

mirrors and tropic aire heater are both aftermarket. a lot of GMC 54-55 came with that odd bed length. hydramatic is a HEAVY trans, I think 650lbs! one of the only automatics you could roll start. first GMC v8s were pontiac, reverse flow cooling, a friend of mine had a 55.2 gmc with the pontiac v8 hydramatic.

value? doesnt hold much collector value, although the hydramatic shifter is pretty sought after. probably less concept and more "first off the line", might find a collector who wants it but looks like it needs one of everything. I bet that pontiac v8 and hydramatic will still work though.

[mr48chev]

First V8 GM trucks either Chev or GMC that I know of are the second generation 55 trucks but that could have been a test mule that they slipped out and ended up getting sold rather than returned to the factory.

A photo or two of the engine would be nice though.

[67swb72klb]

Cool truck. That's not a very common truck
Pontiac power!!

[joedoh]

http://www.oldride.com/classic_trucks/236925.html

[DeanTX]

I like it. Looks like an interesting project. What are your plans for it? Hope you keep the Pontiac V8.

[mr48chev]

Interesting truck but the add does say that the engine was installed "sometime in the past" Not a factory installed engine.

I'd imagine that the trans matches the engine in year and what not rather than being a 54 GMC trans. The truck is a factory hydromatic truck but unless I am totally wrong the trans won't match up to the V8. It could be that you can change a partial bellhousing and hook them up.

[T_Raven]

My 54 had the same bed length. It was a hydromatic, but the engine, trans, and axle were all gone, so I have no idea what engine or drive shaft it had.

[Cjcolbyjack]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Interesting truck but the add does say that the engine was installed "sometime in the past" Not a factory installed engine.

I'd imagine that the trans matches the engine in year and what not rather than being a 54 GMC trans. The truck is a factory hydromatic truck but unless I am totally wrong the trans won't match up to the V8. It could be that you can change a partial bellhousing and hook them up.

What add are you talking about? The guy I bought it from said the motor and trans was done at the factory. Due to it being from a state fair, I think it's safe to say it was the first of what was coming

[Cjcolbyjack]

Originally Posted by Cjcolbyjack

What add are you talking about? The guy I bought it from said the motor and trans was done at the factory. Due to it being from a state fair, I think it's safe to say it was the first of what was coming

Duh I see the add now. That's the truck, but now I think the guy I bought it from is full of it. I'll take better pics of the motor today. That sucks! Still a deal tho I think.

[Softpatch]

looks like the truck I had in High school Mine was green 230CI 6 8 ft bed 3 window and I can tell you the hydomatic was Heavy and it would do "Batmobile" turns like nobodys buziness

[Clay54]

My 54 Chevy is by no means a concept truck, however when I bought it in 1969, it was equipped with a '49 Cadillac engine, transmission, rear end along with a bunch of other good stuff. I have always wondered where the guy that built the truck got the idea of installing the Cadillac equipment. Maybe the '54 GMC hydromatic 100 was his guide. I appreciate your posting this information. Clay

[Softpatch]