A 1973 Survivor: GMC Sierra Grande

[MusicMan70]

I have/had been dwelling on this truck since i first found it on Craigs. I really dug the Lock-ring wheel look, color scheme and originality! Here is the original thread I started, to put it out there for anyone:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=534770

The Ad as listed without the contact info:

1973 GMC Sierra Grande 3/4 Ton
Date: 2012-06-26, 7:43AM
This truck is a classic; great for a collector/restorer or as a work truck!! Purchased May of 2003 with about 68,000 miles on it. It now has 73,030 original miles and runs great! Features: 454 V-8, two tone color: Light Beige and White, good tires, bumper tow ball, wood pick up bed, factory AC but does need a charge. Not a flaw in the cab; great bench seat and no cracks in the dash!!

NADA Guide Low Retail is about $3,700; Average Retail is about $8,000. Truck value is closer to Average Retail rather than Low Retail because of low miles and overall condition!! Asking $2,500 OBO..
• Location: Lincoln, WA
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests




Here are the pics from that ad. I'm in SoCal and the truck was in Washington State about 1200 miles away. Too far for me. So I tried to fuggedaboudit.

Well...I said to myself... I can at least get more info by email and pass it on to someone closer. I emailed and got more pics and the SPID. The owner was very forthcoming. Even had his phone/address and all in the ad. Not too concerned with scammers I guess.

He sent me his last set of pics and said that was it. He left it open for me to call him with any questions. I was getting a good feeling about this truck and the story behind it. Here is that story from his email...

As I had mentioned to you earlier, the history as I know it is: The original owner, a Mr. Zirkle, bought the truck new. He was a farmer/orchardist in the Tieton area which is about 10 miles west of Yakima (where I live). I found out about the truck from my father-in-law who was a close friend of of Mr. Zirkle's nephew. I purchased the truck in May of 2003 from an estate sale following the death of Mr. Zirkle. I paid about $2,800 for it. It had just over 68,000 miles then. I drove it as my vehicle to and from work for 2-3 years and then brought it to our lake place to use primarily as a launch truck for our boat and to drive on errands to town. That's it! Sorry, no photos.
Zirkle Family is are Fruit Growers in Washington State; Ya’ like them Apples?

Updates to his ad were now down to $2000. Hmnnn, why no sale?

Turns out Special K was right; location, location, location! His final post of my original thread nailed it; Guy had a river front property about an hour from Spokane, so not much interest in people going out that far I guess.

Enough jabberwockie, I got more pictures!

[MusicMan70]

More photos

[MusicMan70]

Date coded bed wood, and slide out bumper with license plate light hidden behind and never used. Lock ring spare tire as well.

[MusicMan70]

No camper mirrors, just this set-up and the original small mirrors. Instrument needles have good color and not faded. He kept it under a RV carport.

[MusicMan70]

and more stuff and period compass?

[71swb4x4]

So you bought it? Nice truck.

[MusicMan70]

Package tray behind seat. Only lapbelts and wear on driver bottom area of seat

[MusicMan70]

Paint lines, non-smoker no odors, gasoline type info, paint line for deluxe paint scheme

[MusicMan70]

I haven't even cleaned it yet.

[MusicMan70]

Original carpet looks great as well as pedals. Build date 4/73

[MusicMan70]

Dash looks great, windshield antenna not on SPID and the buildsheet is not under the seat or behind it either. Headliner is bubbled in spots and the passenger side window needs work.

[MusicMan70]

Now to the engine. 454 without the California only

[MusicMan70]

Air pump bracket but no air pump, Owner removed spid and gave it to me with the manual. Dual horns and this bolted over the Jacking instructions.

[MusicMan70]

more more more

Sticker, carb number, no EGR, Hot air pipe intact.

[MusicMan70]

Last few; swapped out the lock-rings with s set of 16.5 x 6.75 I got that had new tires for $60...all 4 yess!

[Liddy71]

wow nice survivor

[MusicMan70]

Last few and time to eat. Oh yes the lock ring wheels are code dated as well and have what appears to be a FIRESTONE "F" stamped on them...Enjoy!

[DirtyLarry]

WOW! Congratulations, it looks like the truck went to a good home to someone that will take care of it. The price is a good deal in today's automotive world but in all reality, that is what they should go for and what I am used to seeing them go for around here, although yours is exceptionally clean!

The problem with truck prices the last few years is people watch too much Barrett-Jackson and other car shows and think everything is worth a fortune. That is okay, because I watch TV too and learned barter like a Pawn Stars and offer 50% or less than what people are asking for their overpriced thing they are trying to sell.

You got a good deal, but here is another example what I mean by people watching too much TV to overprice a truck by 50%.

Now you better not show us these pictures of your new score then try to resell it for 5 times the amount that you have into it and be one of THOSE guys that we are all starting to hate.

[Billy81]

nice score.

[MusicMan70]

Thanks Larry.

Yeah I agree all these Auctions have really hurt the real enthusiats and tainted prices. But I will have this truck for quite a while. New trucks are too expensive for me. I didn't buy for the investment as I got it for the history and story associated with it. Working on them is my therapy.

[meter swinger]

What are you doing? Everyone is gonna figure out how clean the squares are around here...
seriously though, good for you man Its nice to see someone get a good deal on something they really appreciate.
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[special-K]

That's such a fine example. I'm glad you got it. Barrett-Jackson (and the like) would not be what it is if not for the investor mindset. That destroys a hobby/pastime/way of life for the enthusiast. I wish those clowns would leave my stuff alone!!
Heck,now Kelly Blue Book is an expert old car value assessor. Huh,they used to not give a hoot about anything over five years old. Now that they smell like money the vultures appear.

[motornut]

awesome score

[71swb4x4]

Gorgeous truck!

[Firebirdjones]

Spokane? That's interesting. Not sure why people wouldn't go out that far,,,I bought my 79 1 ton 454 survivor in Battle Ground, Washington,,,and I came out from Ohio to get it at that time

Seems alot of clean trucks out that way. I bought mine out there 15+ years ago with 70K miles and paid just under $2,000 back then,,,,and drove it all the way back to Ohio First day back a friend of mine with a body shop offered $5k on the spot.

I've kept the truck ever since for towing and hauling when I need it,,,otherwise it leads a cushy life in the garage.

You'll have fun with that. Survivors of any type of car are the best kind to have in my opinion, I've had an addiction to survivor muscle cars and collecting them for the last 30+ years,,,much better than something restored.