Just a dumb question........ - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*C-10 simplex* · 05-29-2010, 03:39 PM

This is a dumb question, but one that i first pondered probably 28yrs ago and re-examination of it has brought up new questions relating to it:

What does the "C" in GMC stand for? While this may seem like a dumb question (and it is), my follow up questions may make it not seem so dumb.

tasian · 05-29-2010, 03:46 PM

company?

**John Fabris** · 05-29-2010, 03:47 PM

General Motors Corporation or General Motors Company.
http://www.gm.com/

basemodel67 · 05-29-2010, 04:39 PM

I always thought it was "Commercial" since they only made trucks.

**GruntMoanCough** · 05-29-2010, 05:16 PM

Not a dumb question. General Motors Truck Company, they just dropped the "Truck" part (guess it was obvious).

68shortstep · 05-29-2010, 05:27 PM

I think it really was "Grabowski Motor Company," later purchased by General Motors Corp.

No joke.

**70cst** · 05-29-2010, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68shortstep

I think it really was "Grabowski Motor Company," later purchased by General Motors Corp.

No joke.

Now for the rest of the story...per Google

Quote:

The Rapid Motor Vehicle Company was started in 1902 by Max Grabowski.

It was the manufacturer of some of the earliest trucks and was purchased in 1909 by GM. In 1912 the name GMC was first used at the New York Auto Show and in 1996 the suffix Truck was dropped.

What most people don't know is that GMC also makes cars.

In 1902 Max Grabowski founded a company called the "Rapid Motor Vehicle Company", which developed some of the earliest commercial trucks ever designed. In 1909 the company was bought by General Motors to form the basis of the General Motors Truck Company, from which GMC Truck was made. In 1912 the name "GMC Truck" was first shown at the New York Auto Show. In 1996 GM dropped the word 'truck' from the GMC Truck name, thus creating the GMC name as we know it today. There never was a Grabowski Motor Company or a Grabowski Motor Corp.

68shortstep · 05-29-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70cst

Now for the rest of the story...per Google

Shows what I know.

Shoulda "Googled" or "Snoped" before I typed, I guess. Never was one to look before I leaped.........

68shortstep · 05-29-2010, 05:49 PM

I think I once heard Norm Grabowski - creater of the original "Kookie-car" T-bucket roadster from the old 77 Sunset Strip show (for all you 60's TV fans) say that the company was started by some of his relatives.

**70cst** · 05-29-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68shortstep

Shows what I know.

Shoulda "Googled" or "Snoped" before I typed, I guess. Never was one to look before I leaped.........

Hey...this was all new to me.

rsavage · 05-29-2010, 06:21 PM

Wasn't Jeff Bridges Grabowski in "The Great Grabowski" movie? Oops it was the Big Lebowski- Very funny movie if you have never seen it. Good info on GMC.

chevy2racr · 05-29-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsavage

Wasn't Jeff Bridges Grabowski in "The Great Grabowski" movie? Oops it was the Big Lebowski- Very funny movie if you have never seen it. Good info on GMC.

The Dude Abides.
haha

cerjio · 05-29-2010, 07:58 PM

I think its now called Government Motor Company , since the bailout

srea76 · 05-29-2010, 08:03 PM

I thought it stood for Generic Made Chevy? I kid I kid

missinfishin10 · 05-29-2010, 09:04 PM

My Ford Buddy says... "Got Mechanic Coming"

**70cst** · 05-29-2010, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missinfishin10

My Ford Buddy says... "Got Mechanic Coming"

Hey...thats because Ford means Find On Road Dead.

srea76 · 05-29-2010, 10:25 PM

ford= Fixed or repaired daily.

purple'69 · 05-29-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missinfishin10

My Ford Buddy says... "Got Mechanic Coming"

For only retarded drivers.........

Jacfourteen · 05-30-2010, 02:59 AM

Good info, I always thought that it meant general motors corp. Shows what I know.

red71c10 · 05-30-2010, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purple'69

For only retarded drivers.........

We used to say "F'ed Over Rebuilt Dodge"

Scott Webster · 05-30-2010, 04:05 AM

found on russian dump

Or as a misinformed friend says - first on race day

sanford66 · 05-30-2010, 10:07 AM

Ford=Fast Only Rolling Downhill! Or backwards=Driver Returned On Foot! Joseph

**70cst** · 05-30-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanford66

Ford=Fast Only Rolling Downhill! Or backwards=Driver Returned On Foot! Joseph

These are new ones to me...

*C-10 simplex* · 05-30-2010, 01:50 PM

So anyways, after a very short night of "unsuccesful" partyting (should have just stayed home/my luck seems to have dried up....) back to the questions:
(And BTW, i amazed that this subject has brought so much attention)

1) Wow---i always thought the "C" stood for corporation; This means my follow up questions are unnessesary/unwarrented.

Or are they?

Did you know that GMC sold cars ----in south america? i will provide link if/when i find it (have a headache) General motors truck company selling cars.....

2) Why weren't/aren't they called GMTC instead of GMC?

05-29-2010, 03:39 PM	#1
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Just a dumb question........ This is a dumb question, but one that i first pondered probably 28yrs ago and re-examination of it has brought up new questions relating to it: What does the "C" in GMC stand for? While this may seem like a dumb question (and it is), my follow up questions may make it not seem so dumb. Last edited by C-10 simplex; 05-29-2010 at 03:39 PM.

05-29-2010, 03:46 PM	#2
tasian Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: hangtown, ca Posts: 244	Re: Just a dumb question........ company? __________________ Betsy's build 70 c20 4 speed 406sb

05-29-2010, 03:47 PM	#3
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Just a dumb question........ General Motors Corporation or General Motors Company. http://www.gm.com/ __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

05-29-2010, 04:39 PM	#4
basemodel67 Factory Strippers Rule! Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shingle Springs, CA Posts: 707	Re: Just a dumb question........ I always thought it was "Commercial" since they only made trucks. __________________ "Feast your eyes on a feast of smoke." 67 Chevy Short Fleet PLAN: LQ9, 4L60, D60 Looking for School Bus Gauges - Help me out!

05-29-2010, 05:16 PM	#5
GruntMoanCough Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pemberton, BC Posts: 1,075	Re: Just a dumb question........ Not a dumb question. General Motors Truck Company, they just dropped the "Truck" part (guess it was obvious). __________________ My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am - Unknown Last edited by GruntMoanCough; 05-29-2010 at 05:32 PM. Reason: Corporation to Company

05-29-2010, 05:27 PM	#6
68shortstep Looks good at 20-ft ..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mtn Home, AR Posts: 707	Re: Just a dumb question........ I think it really was "Grabowski Motor Company," later purchased by General Motors Corp. No joke. Last edited by 68shortstep; 05-29-2010 at 05:28 PM.

05-29-2010, 05:49 PM	#9
68shortstep Looks good at 20-ft ..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mtn Home, AR Posts: 707	Re: Just a dumb question........ I think I once heard Norm Grabowski - creater of the original "Kookie-car" T-bucket roadster from the old 77 Sunset Strip show (for all you 60's TV fans) say that the company was started by some of his relatives. Last edited by 68shortstep; 05-29-2010 at 05:49 PM.

05-29-2010, 06:21 PM	#11
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Just a dumb question........ Wasn't Jeff Bridges Grabowski in "The Great Grabowski" movie? Oops it was the Big Lebowski- Very funny movie if you have never seen it. Good info on GMC. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

05-29-2010, 07:58 PM	#13
cerjio Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: coffeyville, Kansas Posts: 195	Re: Just a dumb question........ I think its now called Government Motor Company , since the bailout

05-29-2010, 08:03 PM	#14
srea76 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hazlehurst, Ga. Posts: 822	Re: Just a dumb question........ I thought it stood for Generic Made Chevy? I kid I kid __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe LT1 Gen V Swap "Green Lantern" 1984 Silverado Red Baron-72 c10 Project

05-29-2010, 09:04 PM	#15
missinfishin10 Amazed Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dahlonega Georgia Posts: 486	Re: Just a dumb question........ My Ford Buddy says... "Got Mechanic Coming"

05-29-2010, 10:25 PM	#17
srea76 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hazlehurst, Ga. Posts: 822	Re: Just a dumb question........ ford= Fixed or repaired daily. __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe LT1 Gen V Swap "Green Lantern" 1984 Silverado Red Baron-72 c10 Project

05-30-2010, 02:59 AM	#19
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: Just a dumb question........ Good info, I always thought that it meant general motors corp. Shows what I know. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's Last edited by Jacfourteen; 05-30-2010 at 03:00 AM. Reason: typo

05-30-2010, 04:05 AM	#21
Scott Webster Sheetmetal Psycho Join Date: May 2005 Location: athens PA Posts: 515	Re: Just a dumb question........ found on russian dump Or as a misinformed friend says - first on race day __________________ I didn't say you were stupid, but I was thinking it... I need a check up from the neck up! Project "Rigginstine's Monster" 1971 C-10 longbed 355/4spd Future mods: 67 front clip Webby's Rigginations - where everything has potential!

05-30-2010, 10:07 AM	#22
sanford66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Everest Ks Posts: 749	Re: Just a dumb question........ Ford=Fast Only Rolling Downhill! Or backwards=Driver Returned On Foot! Joseph __________________ 1970 Chevelle Nomad station wagon 1966 C-10 lwb,250-six,granny 4speed 1966 C-10 lwb,factory A/C,Custom Cab 1954 Delray 2-door sedan [rat rod project]



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05-30-2010, 01:50 PM	#24
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: Just a dumb question........ So anyways, after a very short night of "unsuccesful" partyting (should have just stayed home/my luck seems to have dried up....) back to the questions: (And BTW, i amazed that this subject has brought so much attention) 1) Wow---i always thought the "C" stood for corporation; This means my follow up questions are unnessesary/unwarrented. Or are they? Did you know that GMC sold cars ----in south america? i will provide link if/when i find it (have a headache) General motors truck company selling cars..... 2) Why weren't/aren't they called GMTC instead of GMC?

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