55.2-59 55 gmc palomino

[_Ogre]

i posted this in the craigslist thread, but thought it need it's own thread
ogre went down the rabbit hole looking for palomino

info from jim carters, pic is a screen grab
it is a 1 of 1, still has the original one off tires and original condition
basically a gmc suburban pickup (cameo) with leather interior and gold paint
it sold in 2012 for $197k, probably get a cool million at pandemic pricing

1957 GMC Palomino
Owner: Ralph Wescott
1957 gmc palomino pick up truck

You can’t get more unusual than 1 of 1. This is how Ralph Wescott of Largo, FL describes his 1957 GMC Palomino. General Motors built only one! It was produced to draw attention to their truck display at the New York Autorama show in 1957. Fortunately, its prior four documented owners recognized it as special. It has been mostly in storage and only a few recent car shows have had it on display. The Palomino now has 9,350 miles and almost no restoration has been done. Even the original custom leather seat is free of age cracks. The engine sounds like new as it slowly moves out of its enclosed trailer. It occasionally may be driven in the neighborhood or at a car show.

Gm designed this special 1/2 ton around a fully optional assembly line model. This includes a deluxe cab, Pontiac V-8, Hydramatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, radio, deluxe heater, Cameo style bed, windshield washers, etc. The manufacturer then added additional features that set it apart from the others. In the following photos note items such as (Palomino only) gold paint, custom leather seat and door panels, script trim panels over the front edge of the bed and gold floor mat.

One of its more unique items are the U.S. Royal Master tires. Ralph states GM requested U.S. Royal to produce 5 with this unusual rubber sidewall. After 50 years they are still in on their original 15′ rims! When not at a show the Palomino is in temperature controlled storage out of the sun to protect the leather interior, it’s original paint and bed.

Based on Ralph saying his Palomino is not for sale at any offer, we will refer to it as ‘priceless.’

2012 NEWS FLASH UPDATE

Ralph at 75years old finally decided to sell some of his most prized low mileage show trucks at his own auction that was nationally advertised. The Palomino was given a value by the last bidder. It brought $197,000.00 by a west coast buyer. WOW! See what happens when you have the only one GM ever made.

[mr48chev]

That is one that you hope stays maintained as it always has been. Pretty obviously always stored indoors under proper conditions.

I snagged this off the net last night. Can't tell if it was posed for a magazine article or part of the original photo shoot when the truck was new.

[1project2many]

There are plenty more photos in the article about the Palomino. Folks interested in the truck should take a few minutes to look. The Jim Carter article is here:
https://oldchevytrucks.com/blog/inde...ralph-wescott/

here's a neat blurb on Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/1899790711480...pe=3&source=43

1957 GMC 101-8 Suburban Prototype "Palomino".

My friend and fellow GMC
enthusiast Ralph Westcott of Largo FL was the 3rd owner of this one off
prototype GMC. Originally a promotional tour vehicle, the Palomino was a
one-off truck that toured with GMC to auto shows early in '57. It was
subsequently delivered to a dealer in West Virginia who many years later
sold to a man in PA where Ralph Wescott began to chase it. The man
refused to sell the truck Ralph repeatedly and Ralph, who is very
shrewd, shrugged and said "OK, then I'll buy it from your widow". A
dozen years later that's exactly what he did. Ralph has not gotten any
younger since he bought this and worried that his daughter would have to
face a lot of decisions about his 55-59 GMC collection, a year or two
ago Ralph put the Palomino on the auction block along with his entire
55-59 GMC Suburban pickup collection and sold it all. I've lost track of
where this truck is now, but I've had the honor of seeing in person one
time when Ralph hauled it up from Florida to the North East Chevy GMC
Truck Club's annual show in the Wendell State Forest in the Berkshires
of Massachusetts about 10 or more years ago. It's in pristine condition
and still had the original custom made tires on it when I saw it.
Ralph's license plate said it all: "1 of 1"