GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

.... i have mooneyes stickers on my suburban.

You have the ultra rare "Mooneyes" edition Burb? WOW! Is it equipped with the optional "Corvette" package?

Seriously, "Burl Ives" edition? Did someone really tell you that just because their GMC V-6 had the plaid valve covers it was a "Burl Ives" Christmas edition?

[special-K]

The Mighty Mike name on a LUV comes rom Mikado,which was the deluxe model name they used.The names Beau James and Gentleman Jim are just plays on the nickname for GMCs,Jimmy,as in Jim or James.
Eddie Bauer editions had a tan trim with one of three colors,I believe ( never really cared).It was from when LL bean,Eddie Bauer,and all the outdoorsy clothing mail order companies became popular amongst the mainstream.

But,can`t we get back on track with the subject of this really cool offering from GMC?

[Dieselwrencher]

I have never heard of the contender GMC trucks. That is pretty neat. Anyone ever seen one in real life? And as far as the special edition trucks, I think some of them are pretty cool. I know Ford has done quite a few different ones in the Super Duty line and they are pretty cool.

[71blksuper4x4]

Probably seen one before as I live close to the K.C. area in junkyards, but finding one that hasn't been repainted before would be the trick. Seen numerous ochre and green trucks up here. Trevor

[itg]

I know this is an old thread but I couldnt resist. http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4544235985.html

[lha1992]

Originally Posted by itg

I know this is an old thread but I couldnt resist. http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4544235985.html

Its the Contender!!!! Someone needs to save it!

[VA72C10]

wow, if that was local I'd have to save it and repaint it and have someone make up the correct emblems...it has the original paperwork which would be cool to see how the "contender" option was designated if at all....cool find!

[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

Now we know at least ONE is still around !!!

. . . .

[watahyahknow]

nice , allways wondered why they never used that space
the fall guy truck (tv show) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAIDqyi2XsM
had a complee side that you could open to get intoo the space

[WIDESIDE72]

On a related (?) topic, I grew up on the Texas coast in the 70's/ 80's. i remember seeing the Gentelman Jim/ Beau James trucks. Never cared for them. However, around the same time, there was a "Roughneck" truck available. It was a take on oil field workers. It had a Houston Oilers color scheme on light blue with red pin stripes. Swb, Fleet, bucket tilt and tach. Iirc, it had an added rear cab spoiler i have also seen elsewhere.

[ChevLoRay]

If you are going to have a Burl Ives edition, I'd think that the colors should be Silver and Gold.

[hugger6933]

If I recall it right I never had seen a Beau or a Gentleman in a short truck, they were both longs. My great uncle had a Beau James And he always said he thought I should have it because everyone calls me Jim. I thought his truck was bucket seats with tilt tach and a 454 t400, but I was a kid. I also remember a street coupe stepside truck that was really pretty and was supposed to be limited production something, and the guy in my town that had this one kept it until the early 2000's and had hardly driven it. I never saw under hood of it but it was rumored to have had a 454 t400 as well.I loved the wheels that truck had the alloys with the round holes, I have two sets of them stored up now waiting to go on some projects,and may even find some 6 holers for the 70[not as hard]. Jim

[67_C-30]

I had a '78 GMC Heavy Half. It was a SWB, which is pretty unusual, since most I've ever seen were LWB's. I sold it to my brother, who eventually got it into the 11's. I wish we still had it.

[70.455gs@gmail.com]

I have purchased this Contender as a father/son project. If I can figure out the technical aspect of it, I will periodically post updates with pics :-)

[itg]

Great to hear it. I noticed it had been removed a couple of days ago. I was considering buying it myself just to save it. Its amazing how little information is available on these trucks, I even emailed the GM Heritage Center and they had no record of it. Honestly, considering there was only 150 originally built, and the fact that most have probably been turned into bridges since 1971, you may have a seriously rare gem on your hands. Ive gotta know one thing, does the SPID show a code or description for the contender package?

[PanelDeland]

From what I've found, the "Little Red Truck".:Warlock",Gentleman Jim ,Beau James and other trucks were as described above.In other words mostly a way to get COPO after the factories suspended that choice. But the "Eddie Bauer" "King Ranch" and Harley Trucks,are more along the line of highly optioned,designer co ordinated color, and licensed sales gimmicks.I know the "King Ranch" is licensed and the King Ranch gets a cut or a discounted price from furd for it.The earlier ones usually had a few mechanical enhancements but the later ones tend to run factory options with no specific power enhancements, being more creature comfort packages and special appearance pkgs with luxury options.

I had heard of a "Contender" but never seen one or known much about the option.

[factorystock]

Originally Posted by 70.455gs@gmail.com

I have purchased this Contender as a father/son project. If I can figure out the technical aspect of it, I will periodically post updates with pics :-)

Congratulations, you have an interesting piece of GMC history. IMO, this truck deserves to be restored back to its original factory showroom glory, its not a "It's your truck, do whatever want you want to it" type of vehicle. If your not familiar with a SPID, this is the decal inside your glove box, that contains information on how this truck was assembled. Posting a photo of it would be appreciated.

[Lees68GMC]

It's not the GM Heritage people being elusive, or uncooperative, the Truck production numbers and specifics of our GMC trucks (always in smaller production numbers than Chevys in our years 67-72) Manufacturing Plants, individual options and total numbers made by year and facilty were destroyed in a significant fire at GM, that's all. We're lucky to get what accurate info we can, really

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

wow.... can we get any further off topic?
umm... i have mooneyes stickers on my suburban.

No. I guess we can't.

[Z10]

Beau James?? Happens to be one on ebay now.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GMC-Sierra-1...US_Cars_Trucks

[doubleb's69]

In to see if new owner posts spid pic.

[RANDY COX]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

nice , allways wondered why they never used that space
the fall guy truck (tv show) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAIDqyi2XsM
had a complee side that you could open to get intoo the space

I've always wanted to do this mod... Burl Ives just scares me..LOL

[wreckedchevy]

a friend of mine has 2 of these here in billings and there's a third one for sale. my buddy even saved this old sales ad for his.

[68Gold/white]

LOL...Burl Ives, Someone needs to slap themselves...

[special-K]

I think those contenders were a regional promotion created by that region's GMC dealers,and that's why GM Heritage has no record. Or,just one dealer,like Yenko,Royal,etc did with special vehicles. They just order a group of trucks with the same options,then put stickers on once delivered. There was also a special promo Chevy truck offered in the NW that was not offered from the factory called the "Husky".

ps: What does Super Sport have to do with a car that has no performance options when it comes to drivetrain? First it was emblems and trim,then came stickers