GMC Trucks Sign-Garage Art

[murphy98]

It's was a dark & stormy night!....sorry wrong story. It was a rainy Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks back, too wet to take in a local car show.... What's a guy to do? Make some Garage art!!

I recently acquired one half of what used to be a two sided illuminated GMC Trucks dealership sign from the 50s-60s era. The sign was is very good condition given it's age so I could not pass it up! Figured I'd find a way to display it some day. That day came on the rainy Sat. I decided to make up a single sided illuminated version for my garage. Had some scrap 1/2" MDF kicking around the shop so I made up an illuminated box for the sign to fit into. Easy & inexpensive afternoon project to do. I have posted photos of the project below. Unfortunately I did not get any pics of the box construction but I think that's more or less self explanatory as you will see. I hope to make up another similar one with the 70s blue GM logo soon. Will post pics of that when it's done, should be a nice set of signs for the garage.

Hope this gives some of you ideas on how you can make an old sign come back to life again in your shops!
Not sure how to post text below the photos so I will try to describe the pics as they are posted.

Pic 1. Plastic (rather brittle at this age) sign as bought.
Pic 2. 1/2" MDF box painted with a silver hammer finish paint to give the box a metal appearance. Note, I doubled up the front edge of the box in order to crate an inside lip to support the 3/8" plastic flange on the outer edge of the of the GMC sign. I also beveled the outer edge 45 degrees to give it a more finished look. (it's the furniture maker in me)
Pic 3. Close up of the hammer paint finish & beveled edge.
Pic 4. I used two 18" inexpensive florescent light fixtures (wired in series to give me just one plug at the end) attached to 1/4" plywood (backing) to light up the sign, I would have preferred LED lights (less heat) but they are still rather expensive around here anyway! I did try one light first but did not feel it was bright enough, two did the trick nicely.
Pic 5. The rear of the box with some cleats to hold both the plastic panel in place and the 1/4" plywood backing.

Part two pics to follow.

[murphy98]

Pic 6. Plywood backing attached
Pic 7 & 8. Finished sign!
Pic 9. Lights work!
Pic 10. Hanging proudly in the garage above the '62!

[Advanced Design]

Great idea. Looks good!

[1963c-10]

Very cool. Heres some more factory literature and signs.....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617955

[bmur66]

Cool! from one Murph to another.

[flashed]

Very nice ,looking forward to the other one .

[murphy98]

Thanks guys! Was hoping to take the '62 to a show this Sat. but looks like another soggy weather forecast, what else is new this summer! Guess it will be another Rainy day garage art project day making the GM sign.

[jchav62]

That is awesome!!

[duallyjams]

looks great, I like it.

[Andy4639]

Cool sign man. Don't see to many GMC sign's. Hardly ever see them lite up too!

[murphy98]

Thanks for the positive comments guys! Could not wait for Sat. for the next one, got the GM sign finished up last night. Basically the same idea, found this Repro GM aluminum sign on Ebay, looks like it was cut on a water jet machine. Painted it GM blue and added a piece of white acrylic behind the cut out GM section which is the illuminated portion of the sign. As I said, blue area is solid so it does not light up. Should fit in nicely however.

[flashed]

I like it too ,whats next ?

[GOPAPA]

Very nice ,,I too am curious of whats next.. ?

[murphy98]

Thanks guys! Not sure what's next? I do have an original 50s-60s steel "United Delco Service" double sided two piece sign which is missing the stand/ rack it used to hang on. Might have to come up with a way to wall hang that one with external flood style lighting perhaps? Give me a chance to get some more welding practice in.
I'll keep you posted!

Originally Posted by flashed

I like it too ,whats next ?

Originally Posted by GOPAPA

Very nice ,,I too am curious of whats next.. ?

[flashed]

How about a pic of that one before you make it all fancy and nice ?

[murphy98]

Here you go! Measures 36" wide by about 31" high. Originally hung on a sidewalk style rack like the ad below it. Could make a up a similar stand easily if I wanted to display it outside or give up some shop floor space but I'd rather not. Think an overhead style hanging bracket will work better in my garage shop. Have to think this one over to come up with an appropriate design.

[flashed]

You definitely have my attention with all these signs ,I love signs but dont have any as nice as yours .

[rambler]

great job on those signs...

[murphy98]

Thanks Flashed, I don't have a huge collection but when ever I find a GM brand related sign or other type of advertising promo item I try to pick them up if the price is reasonable. Here are the first two items I picked up back in the late 80s when I first started collecting this GM stuff. The top clock is my favorite overall, think there was a TV commercial back in the day featuring the same cartoon characters "AC & the Delcos" singing a jingle about Delco parts. Wonder if I should start a new thread, unless one already exists? on Original (non reproduction) GM related signs posters etc. Not specific to a particular model year but mostly GM brands related stuff. Wonder if there would be any interest in that?

Originally Posted by flashed

You definitely have my attention with all these signs ,I love signs but dont have any as nice as yours .

[tommys72]

Nice work on the signs, and cool collection

[flashed]

Those clocks are nice ,never seen those before .

[SCHRUMGMC]

That is pretty awesome man

[murphy98]

Thanks guys! Nice when you can find affordable vintage stuff or make up your own.

[murphy98]

A few more I just bought recently, the GMC Key sign (which is 48" wide & 20" high) is my favourite non illuminated sign. No modifications needed on that one or the Delco sign/thermometer. The Gulf sign on the other hand is translucent and will most likely get the same light box treatment the first two got. Should look cool lit up at night. So for those of you who asked, I guess that's next on the list! The United Delco Service sign needs more thought base on where it may hang, not decided on that yet.

[duallyjams]

Alright now I'm jealous.