What does GMC stand for? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Richard** · 11-14-2002, 01:54 AM

While shopping for a new truck the other day I was told by a salesman that GMC does not mean General Motors Corporation, that it originaly was somthing like Granelli Motor Cars ( can not remember the name exactly ) Is this guy just blowing smoke or is there any truth to this? Thought this would be fun for a bit of trivia.

*Fast68Chevy* · 11-14-2002, 02:13 AM

http://media.gm.com/division/gmc/about/history.html

1902 first year, diamond anniversary was in '77, that explains the gold trim on 77 models..

stllookn · 11-14-2002, 02:16 AM

Grabowsky Motor Company.

70 Jimmy · 11-14-2002, 02:41 AM

Quote:

The GMC logo - which stands for General Motors Truck Company - was first seen on trucks in 1912.

Sounds like it was never anything but General Motors Truck Company.

Fred T · 11-14-2002, 02:57 AM

Sounds like your BS detector wasn't working properly. Lotsa smoke there, I wouldn't return.

oleblue72 · 11-14-2002, 03:13 AM

Gotta Mechanic Coming

Just a joke GMC owners

Narkoleptik · 11-14-2002, 03:41 AM

General Motors Truck Company sounds like thats it... just coincidence that it used to be the Grabowsky Motor Company beforehand.

mrein3 · 11-14-2002, 08:42 AM

Grand Master Chevrolet

XXL · 11-14-2002, 08:50 AM

Got More Chrome?

Huck · 11-14-2002, 08:50 AM

Grabowski Motor Company gets my vote and I believe it's correct.

Old polish proverb--"If you have luck, shiX will do for brains!"

Brewski* · 11-14-2002, 09:14 AM

Most days it stands for Great Machine Coolio~!
Other days it stands for G odD%^ M otherF)(^% C rap~!
Depends on how much blood it draws from my knuckles__ LOL!

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-14-2002, 09:18 AM

Pauls first name?

Jim

*Gee_Emm* · 11-14-2002, 10:12 AM

Ok, I just picked up a GMC truck brouchure for new trucks and it has a time line in it.

1902- Max Grabowsky founds Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. to build one Cylinder trucks

1908- General Motors (GM) aquires a number of Michigan based automotive companys including Rapid Motor Vehicle Co.

1909- First GM truck built

1911- First GMC nameplate appears on a truck, production increases to 22,000

1915- GMC truck division of general Motors is formed

and the rest is history

So now what do you guys think it stands for?

SideStepper · 11-14-2002, 11:46 AM

Brothers Max & Morris Grabowski (locksmiths) formed Grabowski Motor Co. in 1900 and produced the first engined powered commerical truck sold to the American Garment Cleaning Co. in 1902. Shortly following (in 1902) they change the name GMC to Rapid Motor. ..........
Source: Automotive Industry, "The Rise of GMC" article, by Gerry Kobe, Jan. 1998.

Blue68 · 11-14-2002, 11:53 AM

Try this on for an answer: http://media.gm.com/division/gmc/about/history.html

VNMOUS · 11-14-2002, 12:14 PM

GEORGIA MULE CART
GEORGIA MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

Rod · 11-14-2002, 02:21 PM

General Motors Coach.... thought I'd throw that in.

Protrucks · 11-14-2002, 05:19 PM

Garage Mechanics Companion

*Shane* · 11-14-2002, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rod
General Motors Coach.... thought I'd throw that in.

That's what I have always heard too.....

Longhorn Man · 11-14-2002, 06:36 PM

The Grabowski Motor Company is in fact the original GMC name meaning.

*Gee_Emm* · 11-14-2002, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by longhornmail
The Grabowski Motor Company is in fact the original GMC name meaning.

how'd you figure that? Didnt you see what I wrote?

ozarkhippie · 11-14-2002, 07:06 PM

Grown Men Cry

I had to put my 2 cents in

crazy longhorn · 11-14-2002, 07:20 PM

GMC......Get More Chevs!

Longhorn Man · 11-14-2002, 07:22 PM

I'll try to find/scan the article I have, which corosponds with everything I have ever read on it.
One that I have read, (and no longer have so it can be considered here-say) is that GM didn't chainge it back then becouse the old man (Max Grabowski) Said they had to keep it in the conditions of the sale. Since then, GM polititcs play a huge roll in what is said and done, and the General Motors Truck Company was already considered to be the real meaning, they kinda plaied it out. (If that was the case, where did the T go to In GMC? Wouldn't it be GMTC?
Kinda like the 396/402 deal....that same book stated that the only reason they went to 402 in '70 is inner corporate politics. Since the Small block was increased to 400 cube in '70, they did not want a big block (which was supposed to be the biggest and baddest in the muscle cars) to be dwarfed by a small block. No Fire in a storage place, no mistake on the casting...just politics, plain and simple.
Just like the Correvete always had more power than the cammaro...even though there were years that they both had the exact same specs, the fiberglass wonder always posted more H.P. in the spec sheets.

vcrazy8 · 11-14-2002, 07:23 PM

God Made Chevrolet

11-14-2002, 01:54 AM	#1
Richard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,856	What does GMC stand for? While shopping for a new truck the other day I was told by a salesman that GMC does not mean General Motors Corporation, that it originaly was somthing like Granelli Motor Cars ( can not remember the name exactly ) Is this guy just blowing smoke or is there any truth to this? Thought this would be fun for a bit of trivia. __________________ Richard 1972 K10 Custom Deluxe SWB Fleetside My build https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=800746

11-14-2002, 02:13 AM	#2
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	http://media.gm.com/division/gmc/about/history.html 1902 first year, diamond anniversary was in '77, that explains the gold trim on 77 models.. Last edited by Fast68Chevy; 11-14-2002 at 02:19 AM.

11-14-2002, 02:16 AM	#3
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Grabowsky Motor Company. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

11-14-2002, 02:57 AM	#5
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Sounds like your BS detector wasn't working properly. Lotsa smoke there, I wouldn't return. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

11-14-2002, 03:13 AM	#6
oleblue72 No, U Da Man! Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southaven, MS Posts: 284	Gotta Mechanic Coming Just a joke GMC owners __________________ (sold ole blue 1972) 1997 Dodge 1500 5.9L 1996 Saturn SL2 1.9L 2002 Mitsubishi Montero 3.0L 2005 Ford Escape 3.0L *1967 Olds Vista Cruiser 330-320HP*

11-14-2002, 03:41 AM	#7
Narkoleptik 69 GMC LWB FLEET Join Date: May 2002 Location: Tucson, Az, USA Posts: 108	General Motors Truck Company sounds like thats it... just coincidence that it used to be the Grabowsky Motor Company beforehand. __________________ TUCSON, AZ

11-14-2002, 08:42 AM	#8
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Grand Master Chevrolet __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

11-14-2002, 08:50 AM	#9
XXL Señor Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Edge of the world Posts: 5,367	Got More Chrome? __________________ Craigslist \| ebay \| Engrishtees \| www.myattitudesucks.com \| Follow me on Twitter

11-14-2002, 08:50 AM	#10
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Grabowski Motor Company gets my vote and I believe it's correct. Old polish proverb--"If you have luck, shiX will do for brains!"

11-14-2002, 09:14 AM	#11
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	Most days it stands for Great Machine Coolio~! Other days it stands for G odD%^ M otherF)(^% C rap~! Depends on how much blood it draws from my knuckles__ LOL! Attached Images

11-14-2002, 09:18 AM	#12
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Pauls first name? Jim

11-14-2002, 10:12 AM	#13
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	Ok, I just picked up a GMC truck brouchure for new trucks and it has a time line in it. 1902- Max Grabowsky founds Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. to build one Cylinder trucks 1908- General Motors (GM) aquires a number of Michigan based automotive companys including Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. 1909- First GM truck built 1911- First GMC nameplate appears on a truck, production increases to 22,000 1915- GMC truck division of general Motors is formed and the rest is history So now what do you guys think it stands for?

11-14-2002, 11:46 AM	#14
SideStepper Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southern California U.S.A. Posts: 277	Brothers Max & Morris Grabowski (locksmiths) formed Grabowski Motor Co. in 1900 and produced the first engined powered commerical truck sold to the American Garment Cleaning Co. in 1902. Shortly following (in 1902) they change the name GMC to Rapid Motor. .......... Source: Automotive Industry, "The Rise of GMC" article, by Gerry Kobe, Jan. 1998.

11-14-2002, 11:53 AM	#15
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	Try this on for an answer: http://media.gm.com/division/gmc/about/history.html __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

11-14-2002, 12:14 PM	#16
VNMOUS Step Side's Rule Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: LEIGHTON,AL USA Posts: 227	GMC GEORGIA MULE CART GEORGIA MOUNTAIN CLIMBER __________________ DANO 07 Silverado Classic 67shortstep 76 stingray 95 cobra 66 Mustang Coupe 289



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11-14-2002, 02:21 PM	#17
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	General Motors Coach.... thought I'd throw that in. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

11-14-2002, 05:19 PM	#18
Protrucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Kalamazoo MI USA Posts: 161	Garage Mechanics Companion __________________ 1967 Chevy 1/2 SWB (under construction) 1968 GMC (propane-under construction) 1969 GMC Flatbed (propane) 1970 3/4 LWB (propane) 1970 Stepside 402 (gasoline) 1971 GMC Burb

11-14-2002, 06:36 PM	#20
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	The Grabowski Motor Company is in fact the original GMC name meaning.

11-14-2002, 07:06 PM	#22
ozarkhippie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 494	Grown Men Cry I had to put my 2 cents in

11-14-2002, 07:20 PM	#23
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	GMC......Get More Chevs! __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

11-14-2002, 07:22 PM	#24
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I'll try to find/scan the article I have, which corosponds with everything I have ever read on it. One that I have read, (and no longer have so it can be considered here-say) is that GM didn't chainge it back then becouse the old man (Max Grabowski) Said they had to keep it in the conditions of the sale. Since then, GM polititcs play a huge roll in what is said and done, and the General Motors Truck Company was already considered to be the real meaning, they kinda plaied it out. (If that was the case, where did the T go to In GMC? Wouldn't it be GMTC? Kinda like the 396/402 deal....that same book stated that the only reason they went to 402 in '70 is inner corporate politics. Since the Small block was increased to 400 cube in '70, they did not want a big block (which was supposed to be the biggest and baddest in the muscle cars) to be dwarfed by a small block. No Fire in a storage place, no mistake on the casting...just politics, plain and simple. Just like the Correvete always had more power than the cammaro...even though there were years that they both had the exact same specs, the fiberglass wonder always posted more H.P. in the spec sheets.

11-14-2002, 07:23 PM	#25
vcrazy8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: florence alabama Posts: 81	God Made Chevrolet __________________ 72 Custom Deluxe, Viper red with a 383 HT

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