The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1973 - 1987 Chevrolet & GMC Squarebody Pickups Message Board > Squarebody Projects and Builds

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-21-2019, 09:11 AM   #1
1981_c10
Registered User
 
1981_c10's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 317
Papa's 75 GMC Beau James

I have a funny story for y'all. As most of you know, we spend our time searching CL or FB or Ebay or the forum to find our next project truck or parts. Just think back to the day when all this was done in the classifieds of the newspaper...

Well, my Papa who is in his late 70's found a score. Yesterday he purchased a 1975 GMC Beau James. From what I have read, only about 4,000 of these were made in 1975. The one he got has a fresh 350 in it, decent interior, and a 50 ft paint job. Originally the truck would have come with trim and a silver strip along the side and hood. Maybe we can change it back.

The truck is a long bed with factory tilt and AC. The AC will need to be worked on as it appears to be missing the compressor. I am looking forward to messing with this one and snapping a pic of my 81 C10, my Dad's 62 and Papa's 75 Beau James.

Anyway, here are some pics of Beau James. Plans to come.
Attached Images
     
__________________
Builds:

1962 C10 Recreating Dad's High School Truck
1981 C10
1981_c10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 09:15 AM   #2
1981_c10
Registered User
 
1981_c10's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 317
Re: Papa's 75 GMC Beau James

Forgot the most important part....only $3,500. I am going to start searching the newspaper. hahah

More details on the truck:
- Engine is a rebuilt 350 with a small cam and about 500 miles on it
- Seat has been recovered
- New Exhaust
- New shocks
- Paint is a year old...but not show quality. it will probably get freshened up. Just need to see what Papa wants to do.
- New wheels and tires.


Some that aren't familiar with the Beau James, they are 3/4 frames with the softer 1/2 suspension.
__________________
Builds:

1962 C10 Recreating Dad's High School Truck
1981 C10
1981_c10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2019, 09:37 PM   #3
ElGracho
Gentleman Jim Driver
 
ElGracho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Poulsbo, WA
Posts: 1,551
Re: Papa's 75 GMC Beau James

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1981_c10 View Post
...
Some that aren't familiar with the Beau James, they are 3/4 frames with the softer 1/2 suspension.
That's not actually true. It's a regular 1/2 ton frame. There is very little difference in the section modulus (stiffness) of the light 3/4 and the 1/2 ton frame anyhow.

The Beau James package is cosmetic, much like the Indy Haulers, Gentleman Jims, Chevy Sports and GMC Street Coupes.

Those floor mats are special, keep them in good shape!

The bedside decals are now being reproduced by Phoenix Graphix.
https://www.phoenixgraphix.com/gm/1975bj.php
__________________
Joe
'75 GMC Gentleman Jim
'84 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super duper plain (manual steering, manual brakes, no dome light, no cig lighter)
'85 Chev C10 Short Wide - Super plain Vortec 4.8 4L60E trans
also: '81 K30, '83 C30 Crew Dually, '84 M1028 CUCV, '85 M1009 CUCV, another '85 C10 SWB, '89 R3500 Flatbed
ElGracho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2019, 09:18 AM   #4
1981_c10
Registered User
 
1981_c10's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 317
Re: Papa's 75 GMC Beau James

Quote:
Originally Posted by ElGracho View Post
That's not actually true. It's a regular 1/2 ton frame. There is very little difference in the section modulus (stiffness) of the light 3/4 and the 1/2 ton frame anyhow.

The Beau James package is cosmetic, much like the Indy Haulers, Gentleman Jims, Chevy Sports and GMC Street Coupes.

Those floor mats are special, keep them in good shape!

The bedside decals are now being reproduced by Phoenix Graphix.
https://www.phoenixgraphix.com/gm/1975bj.php
Thanks for the info. I was simply going off what I read online. And the floor mats are cool. We will need to clean them up a bit.

Also, thanks for the decal link. Sent it to my dad to share with my Papa. Hopefully we can repaint the truck back to original colors before adding the decals back.
__________________
Builds:

1962 C10 Recreating Dad's High School Truck
1981 C10
1981_c10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2019, 05:45 PM   #5
1981_c10
Registered User
 
1981_c10's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 317
Re: Papa's 75 GMC Beau James

After having the Beau James for a little over a week now, we are thinking the lifters need to be adjusted some more. The engine is a fresh rebuild, so seems reasonable.

Also, my papa got under it and found quite a bit of bondo. He isn't super excited about that part, but still decent truck. Hoping to get over to his house this weekend to take a look and inspect for myself.
__________________
Builds:

1962 C10 Recreating Dad's High School Truck
1981 C10
1981_c10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2019, 04:51 PM   #6
1981_c10
Registered User
 
1981_c10's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 317
Re: Papa's 75 GMC Beau James

In a small turn of events, my papa decided he didn't want the truck...so he sold it....



To my dad thankfully! Will be posting more about it. Quick update it that my dad just put some ralley wheels on it, the plan is to freshen up the paint a bit, maybe put the strip back on and the decal. Also, the vent window needs to be fixed and the search for beau james parts begins.

if anyone has a hood ornament or badges for sale, let me know!
__________________
Builds:

1962 C10 Recreating Dad's High School Truck
1981 C10
1981_c10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2019, 11:54 AM   #7
1981_c10
Registered User
 
1981_c10's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 317
Re: Papa's 75 GMC Beau James

The Beau james with some new mirrors and hanging with his friends.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Builds:

1962 C10 Recreating Dad's High School Truck
1981 C10
1981_c10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2019, 11:55 AM   #8
1981_c10
Registered User
 
1981_c10's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Fort Worth
Posts: 317
Re: Papa's 75 GMC Beau James

We also put some rally wheels on it.
__________________
Builds:

1962 C10 Recreating Dad's High School Truck
1981 C10
1981_c10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:41 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com