'72 Sierra Grande Critique

[GTCS]

Here's a link to the Craigslist ad.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4163106513.html

The seller claims the bed cover and sliding rear window are original to the truck. That doesn't sound right to me.

[CC69Rat]

Good looking truck. The only thing I see 'missing' is the chrome trim around the brake pedal and the glove box door emblem. .. Buy it !

[GTCS]

Yeah, after seeing some of the trucks on this site I've swung back to wanting to buy it. I had planned on selling my 2001 Dakota 4x4 if I buy this truck but I'm worried that it will be so nice I won't want to use it. That's probably something something I'll just need to get over!

That car inspection company hasn't responded so they are history, and it dawned on me (Yes, I can be a little slow at times) that I travel so much for work I can use miles and points to cover the airline tickets, hotels, and car rental. My only expenses will be taxes, food and gas. Plus I have a GT/CS friend in Franklin, NC that I've never met so I'll swing down and visit him. In fact, he recently purchased the aqua car with white stripes from me and is restoring it.

As soon as Dan and I agree on a date over the hectic holiday season I'll go inspect it.

[steelhorse]

The biggest problem I see is you live in Texas and it doesn't have a/c...lol

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by GTCS

The seller claims the bed cover and sliding rear window are original to the truck. That doesn't sound right to me.

From what I've learned on here, the bed cover is definitely not factory.

Sliding rear windows were an actual factory option (not just dealer installed) and will be listed in the glovebox SPID. That doesn't mean a dealer didn't add one when it was new, however all the OEM GM rear slider's I have seen are aluminum? or at least all "silver", not painted black.

[Sicklajoie]

I have the same rear slider (C R Laurence) and bed cover (Gaylord Lids).
JMO but I'd ditch the whitewalls and the cover - the cover is convenient but if you want the truck for work you'll hate it.
Besides that it's a real nice truck. I have a soft spot for the GMCs. But I think he's asking a little too much.

[DT1]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

There's a few of us around...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=569778

I've seen quite a few others mention they have 60's mustangs as well. I also have a 67 firebird.

Yea, Me too...
Also, I think that if that 65 has matching numbers, it's worth every bit of $13,500.

[GTCS]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

I have the same rear slider (C R Laurence) and bed cover (Gaylord Lids).
JMO but I'd ditch the whitewalls and the cover - the cover is convenient but if you want the truck for work you'll hate it.
Besides that it's a real nice truck. I have a soft spot for the GMCs. But I think he's asking a little too much.

I agree with the whitewalls and the cover. In fact, my first comment when I saw the ad was, "Those whitewalls have got to go!" It also looks to me like the tires are a little too narrow for the wheels. They may be the correct size but they just don't look right to me.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by DT1

Yea, Me too...
Also, I think that if that 65 has matching numbers, it's worth every bit of $13,500.

Nice 67!

It has the correct date coded engine (before car was built, engine in March 65 Car built in April 65), it's a 289 2V so no "numbers matching" engine, only the K codes had those. It actually has factory air and discs, but the air was in such disrepair the cost of repairing/replacing components was similar to a new Vintage Air kit, so I installed that. I pissed off some purists on a Mustang forum It's also the most rust free original panel car I've seen personally. Every panel has the Ford date code stamps (even the rockers) and I can't find any patch seams on the rear quarters (had the interior and trunk apart for dynamat). There is one floor patch on the PS in the front footwell that I found. I was told by lots of "mustang people" my car is only worth 10-11K. I don't care. I've put 3,500 miles on it in the past year and it's insured through Hagerty for 25K (ridiculous, yes, but hey, if it ever gets totaled I can buy another Mustang AND another C10 )

Originally Posted by GTCS

Plus I have a GT/CS friend in Franklin, NC that I've never met so I'll swing down and visit him. In fact, he recently purchased the aqua car with white stripes from me and is restoring it.

That car needed to be RESTORED?!?!?

[GTCS]

You're right, it doesn't really need to be restored in the truest sense but the wiring is a disaster and while the paint is nice and shiny it wasn't properly prepped so there are visible waves and scratches.
He's going to redo the wirnig, block and paint the car, then sell it for what he has in it, then get another one to fix.

[72 tigger]

I believe a sierra or sierra grande should have the cargo light. Makes me wonder if its a clone? I would like to see a pic of the SPID. It is a nice looking truck!

[DeadheadNM]

Ask him to send a pic of the decal on the inside of the glovebox door and post it if possible so we can see how it was outfitted by GM...it looks really clean. Does the carpet on the kickpanels and doors hide any rust or speaker holes?

[White70C20]

Looks like a nice truck.

Even if you talked him down to $15,000 that's still a little steep. It appears to be in decent shape, but it looks a little too nice to be a chore truck.

If you want it, buy it and drive it. That's what these trucks were meant to do. Don't change a thing unless you truly want to. I have one of those plastic fuel filters on my truck and it hasn't caused me any problems.

[SuperC10Tex]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

I believe a sierra or sierra grande should have the cargo light. Makes me wonder if its a clone? I would like to see a pic of the SPID. It is a nice looking truck!

Good eye 72 tigger!!! As you can see from my pic below, Sierra Grande's come with cargo lights.....Clone?

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

I believe a sierra or sierra grande should have the cargo light. Makes me wonder if its a clone? I would like to see a pic of the SPID. It is a nice looking truck!

Wow, good catch man. I didn't even see that. I think the Cargo light was an option through about mid year 69, then the Cheyenne / Cheyenne Super / Sierra Grande trucks got them light as part of the package.

I wouldn't rule it out through. I know a fella with a Sierra Grande SWB truck that a tree fell across the cab and the roof has been replaced. He drives it every day. Something could have happened to the truck through the years and they swapped the cab, replaced the roof, etc.

I have read one of nine trucks that came down the assembly line were GMCs. They are pretty rare, I'd at least check it out. That cargo light can always be added.

Did you know (so I hear) the cargo light is the same housing as the rear reverse lights on a 1969 Camaro Rally Sport ? .. just flipped upside down.

Good luck man.

[tlcrz1972]

That is a good catch, now that bring that up. I'm not 100% knowledgeable of GMC's but wouldn't the Sierra Grande's have the flat fancy door panels?

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Wow, good catch man. I didn't even see that. I think the Cargo light was an option through about mid year 69, then the Cheyenne / Cheyenne Super / Sierra Grande trucks got them light as part of the package.

I wouldn't rule it out through. I know a fella with a Sierra Grande SWB truck that a tree fell across the cab and the roof has been replaced. He drives it every day. Something could have happened to the truck through the years and they swapped the cab, replaced the roof, etc.

I have read one of nine trucks that came down the assembly line were GMCs. They are pretty rare, I'd at least check it out. That cargo light can always be added.

Did you know (so I hear) the cargo light is the same housing as the rear reverse lights on a 1969 Camaro Rally Sport ? .. just flipped upside down.

Good luck man.

[GTCS]

According to the seller the glove box is chrome with wood-grain over it. I assume that's a reproduction. So much for the data sticker.

Is there such a model as a High Sierra?

Regarding the door panels, below is from the Edmonds site.
http://www.edmunds.com/gmc/sierra-1500/history.html

Interior refinements, such as molded door panels and an optional Highlander seat trim, took place for 1972

Does that sound correct? Could it be what the seller means when he mentions a High Sierra?

Here's what I found about the High Sierra.
The high sierra incudes wood grain interior package, full gauges including tachometer, temp, oil pressure, and amp meter
Is that correct?

[WIDESIDE72]

No such thing as High Sierra. Trim levels for GMC in 72 were Custom, Super Custom, Sierra and Sierra Grande. I have had a 71 c1500 Custom (profile photo) and 72 K2500 Sierra Grande in the past.

[WIDESIDE72]

Door panels are correct for 72. The doors should have a screw inside below the vent window. It looks to me as if the truck was a super custom that they put sierra grande emblems and woodgrain on during resto. None of these things are a big deal, but in order for the truck to be worth top dollar it should have been done right.

[WIDESIDE72]

The lack of a cargo light supports my statement above as well.

[Bigdav160]

The valve covers are from a later model. So I would assume the whole engine is a wild guess.

OK, I'm going to edit my response.I thought, on a '72 truck, the oil filler was on a raised tube near the brake booster.

This truck looks to have a push-in style oil cap on the passenger side. Without opening the hood, I think my '72 corvette has the same one.

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

The valve covers are from a later model. So I would assume the whole engine is a wild guess.

OK, I'm going to edit my response.I thought, on a '72 truck, the oil filler was on a raised tube near the brake booster.

This truck looks to have a push-in style oil cap on the passenger side. Without opening the hood, I think my '72 corvette has the same one.

Actually you are correct in the valve over on the pass side being incorrect. I can see a bracket spot welded to the upper front part that isnt correct for 72. These are later vc's that had that provision to attach part of the wiring harness to.
It never ceases to amaze me that someone will spend all the time and money to "restore" a vehicle but not spend the time to do it right!

[special-K]

I'm with LockDoc. I don't see where this member asked anyone what he should do with it if he bought it. He simply asked for a critique of it as it is,before he buys it. And,just because it's a longbed doesn't mean it can't be worth the price. Looks like a pretty good restoration. 100% correct? No. But,that only matters to show judges and guys who read about all the tiny little details here.

[calvin78612]

I like it.I say if it's what you want buy it ! If it was me i'd drive the wheels off of it.I'm familiar with the Humble/1960 area,just watch out for the idiots on the road !

[WIDESIDE72]

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm with LockDoc. I don't see where this member asked anyone what he should do with it if he bought it. He simply asked for a critique of it as it is,before he buys it. And,just because it's a longbed doesn't mean it can't be worth the price. Looks like a pretty good restoration. 100% correct? No. But,that only matters to show judges and guys who read about all the tiny little details here.

Personally i would not pay top dollar for a truck that was presented as restored to original but was not. IMO errors/ variations are OK as long as they are disclosed and the truck priced accordingly. I am finishing up a 72 swb stepside. It is not chalk mark correct (non stock paint color for that matter) but when i tracked down doors for it, i found 72 doors. It is a Cheyenne, so it has a cargo light and headliner.