1959 38

[T4HALO]

New guy here.
Got a chance to buy a pretty nice one ton long bed with original 1959 slide in bed camper. It is sitting in a barn here in SE Michigan. The truck came from Arizona 20 years ago and was parked inside. Stil has the AZ plate and only 50k miles. 283 4 speed side mount spare with the 5 original rims. It's big ugly and green. Camper looks like an Alaskan but doesnt pop up. I know most here love to slam the two eyed short beds and wouldn't even think of taking on this project but I'm more of an outdoor rural kinda guy. If I pick her up I'll have plenty to do for quite a while. I'll try to get some pics posted up.

Another Money Pit..... What should I do???

T4

[55metalmonkey]

Originally Posted by T4HALO

New guy here.
Got a chance to buy a pretty nice one ton long bed with original 1959 slide in bed camper. It is sitting in a barn here in SE Michigan. The truck came from Arizona 20 years ago and was parked inside. Stil has the AZ plate and only 50k miles. 283 4 speed side mount spare with the 5 original rims. It's big ugly and green. Camper looks like an Alaskan but doesnt pop up. I know most here love to slam the two eyed short beds and wouldn't even think of taking on this project but I'm more of an outdoor rural kinda guy. If I pick her up I'll have plenty to do for quite a while. I'll try to get some pics posted up.

Another Money Pit..... What should I do???

T4

I'm all for any project, slamed, stock, period correct camper or boxless (bobber) towing an airstram.... it really doesn't matter. If it's what you want I'd say go for it.

[OrrieG]

Be bold, get a big truck and run it as is. Here is one I tried to buy earlier at an estate sale from the original owners kids. Not for sale they were going to keep it for the family to use.

[T4HALO]

I lied it's a 59 GMC. I went to the barn and snapped a few pics. It actually looks better than I thought. Cab corners and floor look great. Interior looks pretty good. The gentleman with the truck is friends with my grand dad and wouldn't charge me hardly anything for the truck.

Here are the pics.

[roger55]

I think it is way cool! Love the camper.
It would make a great project.
I agree, I would keep it looking original on the outside.

[OrrieG]

V8 flags = bonus, buy it clean it up and run it as is...I regret taking the paint off mine....

[T4HALO]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

V8 flags = bonus, buy it clean it up and run it as is...I regret taking the paint off mine....

Are the V8 badges rare? Or is the 283 rare? Not painting = less money.

How about that goofy auxiliary fuel tank?

T4

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Looks like a real nice truck.
Must have used the saddle tank for long trips.
Kim

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'm with everyone saying to doll it up as is.

Personally, after swapping out ALL the fluids, filters and belts, I'd tune it up, make sure the brakes are up to snuff then have it color sanded and buffed out. If it exposes some primer, so much the better for its patina. Some fresh chrome (PRICEY!), hubcaps and it'll be an absolute time capsule. Make sure to post a bunch of in process photos.

[buggy5872]

It should not have a 283 in it. It should have a 336 GMC engine. It is based on the Pontiac 389 but has a smaller bore. If you are not going to use it....please do not scrap it. Somone here would be interested in it. They are expensive to rebuild because they are an odd ball. If it is not stuck it should be in good shape with only 50K miles on it. It looks like a good truck and a cool camper

[ghettoluxury]

I love the extra fuel tank. If it was me I would clean her up and drive it as is.

[Katrina/10]

You should get all over that!

[Highsider]

My grandparents traveled the US in a 1958 set-up similar to that.
They even took me sometimes.

Grab it and get busy! Camping season will be here soon.

[T4HALO]

Thanks for all the encouragement. I'll have to read up on the GMC small block.

I would never let this old girl get scrapped. The owner is great guy. He is currently in Arizona (snow birding) and should be home on May 1st. This gives me time to sell a Jeep to finance the project.

How many more Chevrolets were made compared to GMCs? I can't find to many one tons on the internet. She seams to be a rare bird.

Thanks, T4

[55metalmonkey]

General rule is 4 Chevy's made to every 1 GMC. I'd keep that saddle tank, dont think I've ever seen one on one of these trucks before.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by 55metalmonkey

General rule is 4 Chevy's made to every 1 GMC. I'd keep that saddle tank, dont think I've ever seen one on one of these trucks before.

I'm thinking I might do that too. But, I'd like to see a better photo of it.
There's another thing to think about too. That saddle tank may be shot and the only way to get another one would be custom. That would cost some dollars.

I absolutely love these trucks.
Here's another one that I have been drooling over:

http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97355

[55metalmonkey]

Originally Posted by roger55

There's another thing to think about too. That saddle tank may be shot and the only way to get another one would be custom. That would cost some dollars.

I absolutely love these trucks.
Here's another one that I have been drooling over:

http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97355

Worse case is if the bottom has a few bits of daylight seeping in it can all be repaired with enough effort/skill. even if it doesn't get used for any pracatical purpose I think it looks very cool and unique, heck the whole thing seems pretty unique in my mind.
I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a happy meal

[roger55]

Originally Posted by 55metalmonkey

Worse case is if the bottom has a few bits of daylight seeping in it can all be repaired with enough effort/skill. even if it doesn't get used for any pracatical purpose I think it looks very cool and unique, heck the whole thing seems pretty unique in my mind.
I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a happy meal

You may be right that it could be repaired but worst case is that it is totally shot and not repairable.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Awesome looking truck, looks the same color mine used to be ...I'd buy it if I had the money

[55metalmonkey]

Originally Posted by roger55

You may be right that it could be repaired but worst case is that it is totally shot and not repairable.

True, we will only know for sure if or when T4HALO picks this up and gives us an update

[T4HALO]

Dangit.....you guys were suppose to talk me down on this one... Suppose to tell me it wasn't worth doing. Now I'm really excited to get started. It's even cooler now that I know about the destroked Pontiac motor. I love oddball stuff, that's why my current toy is a 76 Wagoneer.

If there were only 300k Chevy trucks built in 59 would that make 75k to 80k GMCs about right? I would think maybe 10k or 12k one ton longbeds? Not many left on the road I'd bet. Makes her worth saving.

Is the saddle tank a GM option or aftermarket. There is some pretty cool 1950s goodies in the cab as well. A/C, compass, fan, and a bunch of maps.

I leave Saturday for 3 1/2 weeks to work in lovely Louisiana, when I get back it's time to get started. Damn I hate work.

T4

[Daze57]

''I'd be all over that like a fat kid on a happy meal ''

hmmmmmmm interesting analogy !!!
yep i agree with the others - get that forgotton soul out in the sunlight and bring her bk to the road .

[55metalmonkey]

Originally Posted by T4HALO

Dangit.....you guys were suppose to talk me down on this one... Suppose to tell me it wasn't worth doing. Now I'm really excited to get started. It's even cooler now that I know about the destroked Pontiac motor. I love oddball stuff, that's why my current toy is a 76 Wagoneer.

If there were only 300k Chevy trucks built in 59 would that make 75k to 80k GMCs about right? I would think maybe 10k or 12k one ton longbeds? Not many left on the road I'd bet. Makes her worth saving.

Is the saddle tank a GM option or aftermarket. There is some pretty cool 1950s goodies in the cab as well. A/C, compass, fan, and a bunch of maps.

I leave Saturday for 3 1/2 weeks to work in lovely Louisiana, when I get back it's time to get started. Damn I hate work.

T4

I know very little about what the exact production numbers were and what options were available, the 4-1 rule is just the general consensus on the forum, the links under OrrieG's signature block might shed some light on it.
I know with GMC's the rarity depends on where it was made GMCorp. or GMCanada and documented dealer installed options.

[buggy5872]

Originally Posted by T4HALO

Dangit.....you guys were suppose to talk me down on this one... Suppose to tell me it wasn't worth doing. Now I'm really excited to get started. It's even cooler now that I know about the destroked Pontiac motor. I love oddball stuff, that's why my current toy is a 76 Wagoneer.

If there were only 300k Chevy trucks built in 59 would that make 75k to 80k GMCs about right? I would think maybe 10k or 12k one ton longbeds? Not many left on the road I'd bet. Makes her worth saving.

Is the saddle tank a GM option or aftermarket. There is some pretty cool 1950s goodies in the cab as well. A/C, compass, fan, and a bunch of maps.

I leave Saturday for 3 1/2 weeks to work in lovely Louisiana, when I get back it's time to get started. Damn I hate work.

T4

Ok.....Don't buy it...tell me the address and I will pick it up....LOL

[_Ogre]

i can say you won't find anything that nice in/from mi, truck looks like it's in fine shape
we welcome stock, modified and full custom trucks and have members with all types
50k miles on a vintage motor means it is slap worn out, old motors usually started using oil at 25-30k miles
i do like the 9 ft bed and saddle tank: save both if you can