Bird is the Word
 

I always look at hood birds when I see them in hopes of finding one of the early 60's GMC version. Well it finally paid off this last weekend. Went to the beach and in a little junk shop happened upon this gem. There seems to be a lot of misinformation about these, and I have a few question. What years was this version available in the GMC accessory catalog? Is there a online installation diagram available? This is just sitting on our 63' suburban 4x4 for the picture.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7317/2...7d1ca578_z.jpgIMG_0302 by , on Flickr
https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7092/2...fbf55ab4_z.jpgIMG_0303 by , on Flickr

Re: Bird is the Word
 

you got an early bird 55-59
.
http://p-wee.tripod.com/index_013.htm

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Takes a knowledgeable eye to find this Jet. Right spot at the right time.

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Nice score , that's the correct 1960-1962 bird that I believe was also used in 1958-1959
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...C/IMG_3166.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...C/IMG_3167.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...C/IMG_3169.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...C/IMG_3170.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...C/IMG_3171.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/j...C/IMG_3172.jpg

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Looks like a nice one and not as pitted as some. Last shown in the 1962 GMC accessory book.

Re: Bird is the Word
 

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z...2/DSCN0131.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T...0/DSCN0130.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c...1963%2B004.jpg

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Great find!!!

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Thank you all for the info, especially 60-66 for the installation instructions. Nice bird aerotruck, is the long nose version you have rarer than the short one?

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Nice score. You found it on the oregon coast?

Re: Bird is the Word
 

I was at Carlisle Pa swap meet. Met a vendor with a bunch of NOS. Showed him the photocopy of the " Hood Bird " and told him I wanted one. " Hood Jet " he replied " Like that one ". as he pointed to a jet. He had to repeat himself twice to get it into my head, what he was pointing at, was what I was looking for.
I didn't haggle with him, so he bends down and pulls out the " Jet " I have now which was in much better shape than the one on the table.
We checked the casting number on the bottom to match the book. 2233985
One year Jet? Had to come off something else if the pattern from GM of borrowing from the passenger car line.
I didn't have a 63 Accessories Book at the time and assumed the Jet continued into 63.
That's how it ended up on my truck.
GMC part numbers generally start with a 2 as Chevrolet generally start with 3's.
Did they really make a jet for one year application? I think this comes off some car application

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Aerotruck the pointed style like yours is 1955-1957 according to the link softpatch posted

Re: Bird is the Word
 

So the Canadian info is not the same as the American info, interesting. I'll have to pull the jet off one day and check the casting number.

Re: Bird is the Word
 

GMC made two bird/Jets. This is the 60-61 Version. The sharp pointy nose version is the '57-59 version. They did not make any for the 62-66 hoods. This one is NOT chromed, it has been power coated and I have not painted the black out area as of yet.

Re: Bird is the Word
 

http://www.oldtruck.net/19551959gmc/..._hoodorn.shtml

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ3dyJUMCww

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Check the 1962 Accessory GMC books Jake, also the 62 brochures. I have 5-6 GMC factory photos that Im not allowed to publish with 1962s all wearing the bird.

Re: Bird is the Word
 

I thought the 62-66 was the flat hood and the bird don't fit the middle of the hood those years, can you PM me the pictures? I'd love to see and learn more

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Wow - And no box either: :ack:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-1959-GM...3D182171050040

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Link to 1955 Canadian GMC Accessories catalog. No part number however.
http://www.1955gmc.com/1955-59gmclit...MC_Can_Acc.pdf


1956 GMC catalog. 2233548 is the part number listed.

http://www.1955gmc.com/1955-59gmclit...GMCAcc0038.jpg

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Hood Bird on the 63 gmc we used for parts.

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Way cool! I suddenly want one for my truck!

Re: Bird is the Word
 

1960 American GMC Accessories Catalog
Part # listed matches 55-61 Canadian Book.

Four part numbers now
2233831 ( 1955-61) (( Canadian ))
2233985 ( 1962 ) (( Canadian ))
2233548 ( 1956 ) (( American )) pointed nose
2333755 (1955-57 ) Ebay pointed nose

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1247411489

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Haha That is how I feel whenever I see something cool like this, I suddenly need it even though I never knew it existed before.

Re: Bird is the Word
 

I really want one of these myself (pointed style like Aero's)

but not this bad :crazy: :dum:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-1959-GM...lV~fT2&vxp=mtr

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-1957-GM...JXLk2Z&vxp=mtr

although this one is a little better

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GMC-Chrome-J...lXDZtY&vxp=mtr

Re: Bird is the Word
 

Ebay listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-1959-GM...3D172250589899

Item specifics
Condition: Used Brand:
GMC
Placement on Vehicle: Front Manufacturer Part Number: 2233548
2233548
Surface Finish: chrom Interchange Part Number: 2333755

[IMG]1958-1959 GMC Truck Hood Plane ( Bird) Will fit 1956 to 57 but is not really correct except for the casting number. This is a super rare item for GMC trucks 1958 to 59 . GMC used these hood ornaments with the same casting number from 1956 to 1959 . The only different is, that they changed in late 57 the front part of the plane. These where dealer installed options, so its possible that even some 57 GMC had that plane on the hood.[/IMG]

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/oxUAAO...sj/s-l1600.jpg

Re: Bird is the Word
 

http://www.gmphotostore.com/images/53217864_pr.jpg



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=531285