Any OEM info on 1971 GMC C10 ?

[dman535]

We have found a 71 GMC that my wife likes, was originally looking at 72 Chevrolets. Does anyone have a PDF of a brochure or an options list for that year GMC truck?

Any other points of interest on the GMC vs. Chevy? Seems as if the GMC's are a lot rarer.

Thanks

Derek.-

[seattle gmc]

Basicly the exact same truck besides the grill and some badging. Rare might not be the right word either, less disireable might be more correct. People do seem to use them for parts trucksor convert them into chevys.

I perfer the four eyes over the two but i might be a bit biased on this subject.

[hugger6933]

Rarer? Maybe probably yes they were sold at GMC dealers while the Chevys where sold at well Chevy dealers. There was a lot more Chevy dealers with the opportunity to sell a chevy as opposed to a GMC. My small town of less than 5,000 had both and my dad was friends with the guy that owned the GMC store so that is what he drove. I too kinda am a 4 eyes guy but that must be in my upbringing. Jim

[2manybowties]

I have one of each both of them have a little different setup but I like both trucks the same.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Miss my pawpaws '71

I have his '59 Gmc

[dman535]

Were GMC trucks typically higher optioned then their Chevy counterparts? Here is a link to the truck:
http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4460384587.html

Not a fan of the wheels, would probably go for a set of 73+ GMC Rally wheels. Other than that it looks to be a decent sample, price seems a bit high - but it is a fully optioned, factory a/c truck.

Thoughts?

Derek.-

[special-K]

First of all,it's a C1500. Chevys were C/10s. No,there's no rhyme or reason to high vs low optioned Chevys vs GMCs. Yes,GMCs are more rare. There were about 1 in 5 trucks built as GMCs. They were sold at GMC dealers,along with farm equipment,as well as Cadillac,Buick,Pontiac,& Olds dealers. The 67-72 era is where the blending of both brands was completed. In '67 there were still quite a few differences in drivetrain offerings. By,'72 they offered everything the same,though they still generally came though with some differences,like leaf spring rears and Dana60s in 20-series. '73 is where they finally became the same truck with different emblems

[seattle gmc]

I would think that, if you could have your GMC or your CHEVY optioned the same way. That they are the same truck with different badging.

[Hawghauler]

GMCs always had different grills between '67-'72. They always came with leafs standard while chevy came standard with coils. They continued to use '67-'68 slant nose fenders, rad support and hood, when chevy changed their design. These are fairly significant differences and yet almost identical otherwise. I remember in the '70's thinking that the GMCs were better built because they were made with long term hard use in mind, where the chevys seemed to be more for the suburban households, hauling bark, bicycles, lawn mowers, etc. Now it's mostly about personal taste which truck you want. It's nice and kind of fun to have different options that are so easily swapped around.

[MidLifer]

BTW a great resource for questions like this is (usually) the Old Car Manual Project. They have a site set up with Sales brochures, but unfortunately for 1971, the only GMC brochure available is for the Jimmy:

http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stati.../dirindex.html

[special-K]

Originally Posted by seattle gmc

I would think that, if you could have your GMC or your CHEVY optioned the same way. That they are the same truck with different badging.

I mentioned a couple distinct differences already. It wasn't till the very end of '67 that GMC offered a V8,and in not many trucks. I believe it was only the 327. GMC offered the L6 and V6 while Chevy offered the L6 and V8. That's a big difference. In '67 GMC offered the Camper Cruiser,Chevy didn't. In 67-70 Chevy offered two optional trim levels: Custom and CST. GMC offered Custom and Super Custom,but in late '69 they started offering the Sierra Grande option which was added on top of either optional trim level. It wasn't till '71 that the Sierra and Sierra Grande became their own trim levels,which was the first year the features unique to them were offered on a Chevy. In '71 the Sierra and Cheyenne became the same truck and the same for Sierra Grande and Cheyenne Super. In '72 Chevy offered the Highlander on the Custom Deluxe. The Custom Deluxe was equivalent to the Super Custom but GMC didn't offer the Highlander package. In '72 Chevy offered an Inflation Fighter package on the Custom but GMC didn't offer that on their Custom. Throughout 67-72 Chevy and GMC offered some paint colors the same but also colors only available on GMC and visa versa

[WIDESIDE72]

The c list ad has been deleted. Did anyone happen to save pics?

Having restored both a 71 GMC swb step and a 72 Chevy swb step, i would say the GMC is more rare, but seemed to be less desirable at resale time. Funny thing was we bought the GMC from a guy who restores these trucks. He got it in a lot with several other trucks. He decided not to restore it because it was a GMC, but it was too nice and complete. We drove it home for $1800 about ten years ago. It was a simple tear it down, clean paint and reassemble. No rust on cab whatsovever other than outer rockers. Bed was almost perfect, new front fenders were installed due to battery acid rot on rh and dents on lh. I was surprised he didnt part it out for parts for other trucks. Sold it about a year ago to a retired guy who did some tacky mods, imo, then tried to flip and lost his ass on it!

[Eddie H.]

I guess it's just a matter of personal preference. I've had several Chevys and Gmcs over the years, and to me, the 4 eyed trucks are better looking, and more desirable.

[dman535]

We pulled the trigger on it last night:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=629139

Thanks for all the great info.

Derek.-

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by Hawghauler

They continued to use '67-'68 slant nose fenders, rad support and hood, when chevy changed their design.

In 1969 GMC's also went to the taller hood. 1969-1972 Chevy and GMC hoods are the same minus the mounting holes in the front of the hood for the GMC letters or bowtie logo.