61 GMC With 10' Bed??

[Fraser Beatty]

I have a trade offer of a 61 GMC for my 85 GMC C3500 crew cab dually. Owner claims the 61 has a 10' bed and is one of only 180 trucks built with that option. I know nothing about the older trucks, being a 73-87 guy, so I'd like to know if he is right. Was a 10' bed available for a 61 GMC, and were only 180 built? Also, any ideas on what model this truck might be (1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton, etc.). Truck has a 235 engine and a 4 speed transmission on the floor. Those are all the details I have at the moment, I'm awaiting more info and pics. Thanks for any help you can provide!

[frmula505]

Seems to me it would have to be a flatbed.

[GruntMoanCough]

Dunno without more info and pics but, my '68 C30 has a 9 1/2 foot stepside bed.

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

There were some trucks built from 1960-62 called the GMC 3000 Series. These trucks had 12 foot stake beds. They were then dropped from the 63 line because very few were sold. It use's the same cab as the 1000 series truck and is one of the rarest of all trucks. It was the same as the Chevrolet C40.

[jonzcustomshop]

I never believe #'s on GM vehicles unless they have documented proof.
GM did not keep very good records, espically in the 60's.
however the 10 foot bed option is rare I have only seen a couple around here over the years..

I only wish GM had kept records like mopar did, I have a friend with a mopar convertible,1 of 4..he explained :4 purple,383,4speed,black interior,shaker hood converts that year...or something like that.

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

I never believe #'s on GM vehicles unless they have documented proof.
GM did not keep very good records, espically in the 60's.
however the 10 foot bed option is rare I have only seen a couple around here over the years..

I only wish GM had kept records like mopar did, I have a friend with a mopar convertible,1 of 4..he explained :4 purple,383,4speed,black interior,shaker hood converts that year...or something like that.

Exactly! Mopar could keep track on their numbers very well, my buddy who worked for them in Detroit knew exactly what was right and most valuable when he picked up a 68 Roadrunner used. That was one of the one's he built while he was there.

[Fraser Beatty]

Here are some pics of the truck. He still hasn't told me what model it is, I'm assuming it must be a 3/4 ton or 1 ton, judging by the 8 bolt wheels?? I really don't know, I'm not into these older trucks lol. Check out my thread in General Discussion, I've been offered this truck as a trade on the 85 I have now.

[Corts60]

He must've put in that inline 6 because inlines were not offered in GMC's until '64.....

Jolly's site might be the best place to find out.

Anybody else notice how many GMC;s are popping up here lately?

[retodd7711]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Anybody else notice how many GMC;s are popping up here lately?

SSHHH!
We're trying to take over.....

[monolith]

[Fraser Beatty]

Any ideas what model it would be?

[jonzcustomshop]

I might be wrong,,, but didn't the canadian GMC's use chev running gear, including the inliner?
yes on the gmc's cort

[jonzcustomshop]

try this link: http://www.oeltd.net/doc/6066gmc/VINs/gmc-canada.htm
the 10 footer does not show up until 1962...
you will see that there is a 133 inch cab/chassis,stepside 1 ton available.
yours definately has the 60-61 hood..
if you scroll all the way to the bottom, you will notice that the only engines available in Cananda were chevrolet...
It would be interesting to decode the vin... I think I see one data plate on the left side of the firewall, and the vin tag should be on the drivers windshield post.
I would do the trade..just me but you can always find another late model...

[Corts60]

Hell yeah, unless the '85 has sentimental value...TRADE IT!

[Fraser Beatty]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

try this link: http://www.oeltd.net/doc/6066gmc/VINs/gmc-canada.htm
the 10 footer does not show up until 1962...
you will see that there is a 133 inch cab/chassis,stepside 1 ton available.
yours definately has the 60-61 hood..
if you scroll all the way to the bottom, you will notice that the only engines available in Cananda were chevrolet...
It would be interesting to decode the vin... I think I see one data plate on the left side of the firewall, and the vin tag should be on the drivers windshield post.
I would do the trade..just me but you can always find another late model...

So if it actually is a 10' bed, and is original (no one has done some swapping on it), it is more than likely a 62 1 ton? Maybe someone threw an earlier hood on it? The owner may have been wrong on the year, I will print out that VIN decoder and check out the VIN when I see the truck tomorrow. Thanks for the help!

[joe231]

[factorystock]

It appears to be Canadian GMC. GMC built in Canada were basically Chevys with GMC hoods and grills. It looks like a 1 ton with 9ft body. The Canadian GMC 1/2 was a 910, 3/4 ton 920 and 1 ton 930 series.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by factorystock

It appears to be Canadian GMC. GMC built in Canada were basically Chevys with GMC hoods and grills. It looks like a 1 ton with 9ft body. The Canadian GMC 1/2 was a 910, 3/4 ton 920 and 1 ton 930 series.

there were a lot of 261's used in canadian gmc's until 62
the 235 was used up until 62 . I think that the 235 was used in us gmc's.
if the ser nbr goes 61C93 it will designate canadian. if it goes 61C3 it is us production. a 9 after the C or K or whatever other letter is in that postion refers to canadian production. A lot of the us trucks were built in canada but were produuced with us designated ser #'s
ron

[Fraser Beatty]

Well I went and checked out the truck today, forgot the VIN decoder so I still don't know exactly what it is. DUH! Anyway I traded my 85 for it (check out my thread in General Discussion). The truck will be in my possession tomorrow hopefully, will post more info and pics then.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by Fraser Beatty

Well I went and checked out the truck today, forgot the VIN decoder so I still don't know exactly what it is. DUH! Anyway I traded my 85 for it (check out my thread in General Discussion). The truck will be in my possession tomorrow hopefully, will post more info and pics then.

hey man...you said it

[jonzcustomshop]

I think you did good, that looks like a really nice ride!

[Fraser Beatty]

It's UUUGGGLLLYYYY, pics make it look better than it is lol. The box is actually dark blue, the inside of the bed is red and has some poorly patched rust. Other than that and some light surface rust here and there though it is solid, it fired right up and ran like a top, plus it's safetied, so can't complain. Just had new brakes and tires couple months ago. Wish I could keep it, not viable in the long run though, can't afford it with university to pay for

[jbgroby]

I know that in the 1960 GMC line they offered 9' and Step Side model I have it in my Sales Manual. Maybe he was confused if he put the gate down?

[Fraser Beatty]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

I know that in the 1960 GMC line they offered 9' and Step Side model I have it in my Sales Manual. Maybe he was confused if he put the gate down?

Possibly, I forgot to take the VIN decoder when I went to check out the truck. Also forgot a tape measure (IDIOT) lol. I should be in possession of the truck within an hour, will know then exactly what I have.

[Fraser Beatty]

Well, the truck is now mine! I checked the VIN, it indicates the truck is a 63 1 ton stepside with a 133 inch wheelbase and a 7800 GVWR. However, it only has a 9 1/2 foot bed.