Hesitation from standing start in first gear

[Tyler & Christian]

Folks,
The '57 I am thinking of buying has a VERY pronounced hesitating, lugging, jerking start when trying to get going in first gear from a complete stop. It is like I'm learning to use a clutch for the first time, but I have driven thousands and thousands of miles in cars and trucks, old and new with a clutch. This one is beyond touchy. It is downright ornery and violent. There is no getting a quick acceleration. The only way to get a smooth start is to accelerate so slowly that the people behind me at the stop light starting honking.

And FWIW, I am a newbie--no, that is an insult to newbies--I am newer than a newbie. The last time I regularly worked on a car was about 30 years ago with my 73 Super Beetle when I was a kid. Since then I have paid for all car care and maintenance. My son and I are gonna try to do an update restoration on this 57 GMC truck.

So, taking all that into consideration, what is the story with this vehicle? Is this problem a "slipping clutch" or is it worn out or what? Or am I just not in touch with old trucks and this is how they are?

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Tyler