edited by Moderator - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72burbanbuilder · 01-31-2010, 02:41 PM

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Steve@OldSub.com · 01-31-2010, 03:39 PM

I don't understand your half-breed mut statement. That is exactly what GMC offered for the first half of the '55 model year.

GMC had a different approach than most brands up until probably 1967. They did not sell a 19xx year model, they sold a given design model over a period of years. If you study early GMC serial numbers you'll see there is no real year identifier and in most cases you have to know the production number to identify a year of manufacturer.

The '54 GMC had curved glass just like a '54 Chevy and the grill in your picture in '54 and early '55. The dash is completely different than a same year Chevy. These are identified by GMC as 'Z' series trucks. You'll find that 'Z' in the serial number of one of these. In '54 the 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton trucks had the same torque tube arrangement found in a '53 just like a Chevy.

Some, but maybe not all (I've been unable to confirm one plant), 1/2- and 3/4-ton truck production switched to open drivelines at the same time the Chevrolet '55 1st was released. Its common to call a 'Z' series GMC 1/2- or 3/4-ton with open drive a '55 1st, though GMC never did that.

1-ton and larger GMC trucks, just like the same size Chevys, were all open drive and if GMC has ever published a way to tell a '54 from a '55 I've not found it.

I think this information will help you be more knowledgeable in conducting your search.

To more directly answer your question:

There is a '54 sitting in my shop right now, another one sitting on the far side of my shop, and what I'll call a '55 1st Suburban parked out front. All three have that same grill, though one of them is painted. All three have the curved glass windshield. All three are NOT for sale. I call the Suburban a '55 1st because it is original open drive and titled as a '55. One of the '54s is titled as a '55 but there is nothing about it different than a '54.

I see them show up on craigslist from time to time. You could check the for sale pages at the OldGMCTrucks.com forum and there could be one there.

I love these trucks and have trouble passing them up when one is available in my area.

OrrieG · 01-31-2010, 06:30 PM

Check out the classifeds here, on stovebolt, HAMB, inliners, etc. Find the site that lets you search all of craigslist and start filtering by the region you want to look at. A lot of guys on this board are good about posting CL finds in their area. Out in this neck of the woods they are not too hard to find, tough part is getting the owners to part with them. I drive by 3-4 on a regular basis and each one is sitting next to the house waiting for the infamous restoration to start "next spring". Good luck in your search.

Atomsplitter · 01-31-2010, 08:15 PM

This photo is from a local guy that sells new/used parts, I believe this is the "GMC only" dash from 54-55. It was sold for $1,100 CA.

72burbanbuilder · 01-31-2010, 08:58 PM

edited

BigBlocksRule · 02-01-2010, 08:40 AM

edited

01-31-2010, 02:41 PM	#1
72burbanbuilder Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: dayton virginia Posts: 27	edited by Moderator XIV. As of October 15th 2005 subscribing members will be the only ones permitted to post for sale and want to buy ads on any classified section of this site. If you have a comment on actions taken by any staff member PM one of the Administrators * Any of these violations will lead to your account being suspended for 24 hours or more at the discretion of an Administrator the first time. Any future violations will lead to a permanent suspension of your membership. By becoming a member you agree to adhere to these guidelines. Last edited by powerdriver 1958; 02-01-2010 at 10:51 PM.

01-31-2010, 03:39 PM	#2
Steve@OldSub.com Cancer Survivor in the making. Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bainbridge Island, WA Posts: 303	edited by Moderator I don't understand your half-breed mut statement. That is exactly what GMC offered for the first half of the '55 model year. GMC had a different approach than most brands up until probably 1967. They did not sell a 19xx year model, they sold a given design model over a period of years. If you study early GMC serial numbers you'll see there is no real year identifier and in most cases you have to know the production number to identify a year of manufacturer. The '54 GMC had curved glass just like a '54 Chevy and the grill in your picture in '54 and early '55. The dash is completely different than a same year Chevy. These are identified by GMC as 'Z' series trucks. You'll find that 'Z' in the serial number of one of these. In '54 the 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton trucks had the same torque tube arrangement found in a '53 just like a Chevy. Some, but maybe not all (I've been unable to confirm one plant), 1/2- and 3/4-ton truck production switched to open drivelines at the same time the Chevrolet '55 1st was released. Its common to call a 'Z' series GMC 1/2- or 3/4-ton with open drive a '55 1st, though GMC never did that. 1-ton and larger GMC trucks, just like the same size Chevys, were all open drive and if GMC has ever published a way to tell a '54 from a '55 I've not found it. I think this information will help you be more knowledgeable in conducting your search. To more directly answer your question: There is a '54 sitting in my shop right now, another one sitting on the far side of my shop, and what I'll call a '55 1st Suburban parked out front. All three have that same grill, though one of them is painted. All three have the curved glass windshield. All three are NOT for sale. I call the Suburban a '55 1st because it is original open drive and titled as a '55. One of the '54s is titled as a '55 but there is nothing about it different than a '54. I see them show up on craigslist from time to time. You could check the for sale pages at the OldGMCTrucks.com forum and there could be one there. I love these trucks and have trouble passing them up when one is available in my area. Last edited by 63 & 64 Bowties; 02-01-2010 at 08:48 AM.

01-31-2010, 06:30 PM	#3
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	edited by Moderator Check out the classifeds here, on stovebolt, HAMB, inliners, etc. Find the site that lets you search all of craigslist and start filtering by the region you want to look at. A lot of guys on this board are good about posting CL finds in their area. Out in this neck of the woods they are not too hard to find, tough part is getting the owners to part with them. I drive by 3-4 on a regular basis and each one is sitting next to the house waiting for the infamous restoration to start "next spring". Good luck in your search. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project Last edited by 63 & 64 Bowties; 02-01-2010 at 08:49 AM.

01-31-2010, 08:15 PM	#4
Atomsplitter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ontario Posts: 514	edited by Moderator This photo is from a local guy that sells new/used parts, I believe this is the "GMC only" dash from 54-55. It was sold for $1,100 CA. Last edited by 63 & 64 Bowties; 02-01-2010 at 08:49 AM.

01-31-2010, 08:58 PM	#5
72burbanbuilder Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: dayton virginia Posts: 27	edited by Moderator edited Last edited by 63 & 64 Bowties; 02-01-2010 at 08:50 AM.

02-01-2010, 08:40 AM	#6
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	edited by Moderator edited Last edited by 63 & 64 Bowties; 02-01-2010 at 08:50 AM.



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