New Member - 1959 GMC Fleet Option

[socalcraigster]

Hello all.

I just purchased a 1959 GMC Fleet Series Option (first GMC).

Here are a couple of pictures.







It is an automatic with a 350. It is my understanding that these trucks came with a straight six. Does anyone whether the stock transmission is compatible with a 350. I'm totally new to GMC/Chevy?

Previous owner said there is a leak in the gas tank. Can these be fixed or is it better to get a new tank? I'm not certain if it is a broken tank or just some seal that my have worn out.

Thank you

[SCHRUMGMC]

I own a '59 Gmc as well man.It looks nice

I wish my Truck didn't have that many of rust issues

[Jack Guzman]

Take the gas tank out and inspect it. Some tank leaks are easy to fix. It depends on rust. If the bottom of the tank is corroded you're better off replacing it. If it has a pinhole and the rest of the tank is sound it can be easily patched.---Jack

[Kim57]

Welcome.
Nice looking truck.
Kim

[kraz88]

Truck looks nice and straight. These trucks are beasts and last forever.

If it has a 350 it is not the stock tranny.

That thing would look sweet with the stock 59 GMC grill. I love the GMC grill from those years. Very stylish.

[SCHRUMGMC]

That thing would look sweet with the stock 59 GMC grill. I love the GMC grill from those years. Very stylish.[/QUOTE]

What type of Grill does it have it on there now ?

[kraz88]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

What type of Grill does it have it on there now ?

Looks like a custom job. Probably so the previous owner could use a different parking/blinker. Just my guess.

[SCHRUMGMC]

I'd get a Chrome Package on it, and it'd be perfecto

[hopped up]

Put the stock grill back on. And pull the gas tank, you can find a new on easily if that one is no good

[SCHRUMGMC]

If its a 59, why does it only have one Headlight

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hi and welcome. It's traditional here to bust anyone's chops that posts with introducing themselves. What part of the country you live in (Yes, we can tell by your name) your plans for your project, etc.

Having said that, give us a little more info on your plans for her. Not only is your grill a DIY job, your truck is supposed to have four headlights. Looks odd with the wide "eyebrows" over singles. I too will chime in and recommend putting the original GMC grill in and preferably chrome. They're very very nice.

What's the interior like? How does it run? Stop, handle?

PS:re your gas tank. It's served most of 60 years, I suggest you retire it. The majority of us get them out of the cab. Put them under the bed in the far rear. Do a search here. It's much safer, gives you a little storage behind the seat and gets rid of the gas smell from the cab. A win-win-win!

[Daze57]

Very nice truck. - welcome aboard from sin city

[meter swinger]

The fleet optioned trucks came with single head lights and the flat grill, along with a few other oddities. Pretty rare, ive only seen 2-3 that i can remember.

[OrrieG]

front bumper is unique to the fleet option. inside it will have a chevy dash with "GMC" on the bezel where the bowtie usually is. were all std.heater,, radio delete.

[57chevyman]

Hi and welcome. nice lookin truck you got!

[kraz88]

Originally Posted by meter swinger

The fleet optioned trucks came with single head lights and the flat grill, along with a few other oddities. Pretty rare, ive only seen 2-3 that i can remember.

Great knowledge! I had no clue.

[SCHRUMGMC]

I've always wanted to know what them Two bulky things on the GMC 100 front bumper was

[1958Warrior]

That is a pretty rare find there, I've seen 2 and they were no where as clean as yours looks. I think white and grey was the most common colors. What is the paint code on the truck. any history as to its origin?
If I was you I'd preserve it as is or put a period correct engine in it. If I remember right some GMC's had either Pontiac or Buick motors from the factory.

[meter swinger]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

inside it will have a chevy dash with "GMC" on the bezel where the bowtie usually is.

That brings back memories of looking at one for sale around ten yrs ago. I looked in the cab and saw the chevy gauge cluster with the GMC emblem, and thought wait a minute, someones trying to pull a fast one.

[1958Warrior]

I searched Wikipedia and it was Pontiac V8 , 336ci motor Only used in 58 and 59.
and Chevy straight 6's

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMC_V8_engine

[_Ogre]

nice clean truck you have, body looks immaculate.
that makes for an easier project

[SLOW POKE]

here is a pic of a nice fleet! Glad someone told you the rite answer before you threw away that junk grill!!

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Hi and welcome. It's traditional here to bust anyone's chops that posts with introducing themselves.

...Not only is your grill a DIY job, your truck is supposed to have four headlights. Looks odd with the wide "eyebrows" over singles. I too will chime in and recommend putting the original GMC grill in and preferably chrome.

only dan like to bust your chops, it's his tradition; hopefully it doesn't catch on.
he also likes to eat a lot of crow. google ''1959 gmc fleet option'' dan

[buggy5872]

That truck is nice and looks to be all correct fleet option wise. I would keep it like that or at least keep all the fleet options if you do decide to take them off. If you do restore it back to original....the pontiac 336 is a little hard to find but the 389 pontiac looks exactly the same because a 336 is a 389 with smaller pistons. Welcome to the board and good luck with it.

[Katrina/10]

Thirty years ago, there was a guy here that drove a truck like that. I caught up with him one day and asked him why he put that funny grille on his truck. He said, "Son, I didn't do that, the truck came that way". I didn't find out it was called "fleet option" till years later.