My new 53 GMC 100

[Curt C]

Hello All. First I would like to properly introduce myself. I am Curt and I live in Las Vegas. I recently got the old truck bug and picked up a local 1953 GMC 100-22. The truck is in very good shape and underwent a restoration around 1989 based on the documentation. No rust and very little metal work. No bondo bombs! An older man had it and drove it until 1994 when it apparently quit running. He later gave the truck to his grandson in 2009 and it sat another 7 years. The kid did not have the space or time to get it going. The engine turns over but has two stuck valves and two bent push rods. I think someone tried to start it with bad gas. Receipts show a complete engine rebuild in 1989. The head is off and can easily be repaired. I am in the process of cleaning up the gas tank, radiator and brake system. With hope, the head job along with a tune up will get it running.

When I bought the truck I priced it based on a non-running engine. My thought was to get a truck with a nice body, paint and interior and install IFS and a V8 for a nice driver. The plan was to get the original engine running if possible and sell it along with the drivetrain to an interested buyer. Now I am not so sure. The truck appears to be mostly stock. It has a newer radiator and the original Zenith carburetor is gone. It has some newer style mag rims and new paint was received in the late 80’s. Besides that I think its stock. It still has the 6 volt system and generator. Original gauges are still present and appear to work as best I can tell. Drum brakes and a single master cylinder still stop the stock suspension. See pics below. Pardon the quality. Truck is stuck in the garage for a while.

I don’t like the thought of tearing up a survivor. Is this a survivor or does the new paint disqualify it? Maybe I should just clean it up, get it running and put it back on the market. Make a little change and put that towards a truck that has already been modified? Maybe I am just being silly. What are your thoughts old truck mavens?

Regardless I am having fun pulling her apart and learning about the mechanicals. My background is Ford and road race mustangs. I know a little about E36 M3’s too. Its funny but my first vehicle was a 1958 Chevy Apache that was my great Uncles. I bought it for $1,000 from his estate. I had big dreams for that truck but high school kids have very little money as we all know. It was so faded it was literally pink.