Hydromatic-equipped '56?

[Brad54]

I was at an old junkyard today, and found a '56 GMC with the engine, hydromatic, steering column and even the "Hydramatic" emblems on the front fenders.

The rest of the truck is really worthless--totally rotted, even up into the roof. But all that auto-trans stuff is still there.

This is actually the second hydramatic-equipped '55-'57 I've found in a junkyard this year--the first got crushed before I could learn anything about them.

How rare are they, and is it worth getting, or is there no demand or interest in them?

On the plus side, I did score the radio speaker box above the windshield! I always thought those were kinda cool... it needs a little work, but I've always wanted one so it'll be worth it. I'll probably put it in my '61 Suburban.

-Brad

[OKGMC4]

Snag the emblems and ebay them...I sold the hydramatic emblems off my 56 gmc and it blew me away...they went for $220. Three guys started fighting over them and it got really out of hand. I also smoothed my dash and sold the ashtray and radio delete plate for $50. GMC stuff just isn't reproduced. If the front mustache and or bumper bar (grille) is any good grab it. If not, at least see if the turn signal housings are good and get those, they are not reproduced and stupid hard to find. Good find, best of luck!

[OrrieG]

I would imagine there is some value in the shift lever and indicator too. Also linkage if it is there. Probably riveted to the frame so pita to remove. GMC radiator support is different than Chevy too (I think).

[56Jimmy]

I would be interested in the steering column assembly also any dash gauges or radio for my '56. I also need the top of the rad support
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[wood1]

Yes, some of the harder parts to find. I'd grab them if you can. If it has the radio, that is also a good find.
And all of the dash parts. Grille, turn signals, any emblems etc.

[1955GMC]

The shifter parts all the way from the top to the transmission are pretty rare and as far as I know they are not reproduced.
I sold my fender emblems on e-bay like OKGMC4 mentioned. That is another item that is not reproduced.
Those of us with 55 2nd thru 57 are always looking for parts for GMCs - not Chevrolets.
Getting all you can out of that truck is money in the bank. There are not many GMCs around my part of the country.

[Russell Ashley]

Just noticed that you are near me. I'm just down the road in Lawrenceville. If it has a radio look under the right fender and see if it has the power antenna. I would think that would have been one of the rarest options. If it should have the antenna look for the switch also. I've never actually seen one but I saw a video on youtube about rescuing a 57 GMC and it had the power antenna.

[_Ogre]

i don't think power antenna was an option on any truck ever

[OrrieG]

Maybe dealer installed from Impala option???

[Russell Ashley]

This is the video where I saw the power antenna.

The Find 1956 GMC V-8 Hydramatic 4X4 Truck -...

It's about 30 minutes long and the antenna is mentioned near the end. In the video they seemed to think it was an original option but I can't say as I've never seen one. I do know that some of the vendors sell power antennas for TFs. The truck in the video is a 4X4 which makes a power antenna a good option since it might have been driven through places where the regular antenna would have gotten broken off.

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

Yes grab emblems, grille parts etc. That stuff is hard to find. Took me forever to find the center grille bar for mine.

[1955GMC]

I was thinking about these posts these last few days. I looked for almost two years for a 55 2nd series dash (mine was "updated" with a newer radio when I got it) and finally located one in Utah for 150.00. More than likly all of that truck has value to someone working on a GMC.

Leon