Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a 1958 Chevy from a 1959? How about a gmc too?

Thanks

I can't think of any ,They must be twins. Im sure I will be corrected if wrong,but i think the grille, fenders, hood and emblems were the same. John

The 58 and 59's are the same. There are just small differences between the Chevy and GMC, mostly in the grille

here is our 58 GMC

This is a 59 Chevy. The only other difference is the GMC emblem on the hood

here's one in a stepside bed. The bullet back fleetside was only available in 58 and 59

grille,bumper guards, emblems, dash( guages and cab), engines, and some available options are different. The GMC's have a two piece dash instead of just a v-shaped one like the chevy's and used Pontiac v-8's and their own six cylinders. All these are different and specific to the GMC's. The 59 Chevy's are the same except for the hood and fender emblems, everything else is interchangable to the 58's.

I noticed on the GMC Grill the parking lights/turn signals are more pointed on the outside end and would be somewhat oval except for when they meat the cross bar on dubies '58, but the '59's are more square. Also, the GMC has the hollow points on the bumper. Is that just an option thing from the original owner? And the cross bar is thicker on the '59s.

A guy near me has a 4 x 4 stepside, and I have wondered how to tell the years diff.

Thanks for all the replies.

back in the day (pre '67) when Chevy and GMC came off of different assembly lines, GMC was supposed to be a better made truck.

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

Bringing back an old thread for a few more questions for the experts …

Is there a Difference between the core support mounts on the 58 / 59 Chevy & GMC on the frame ?
The Chevy & GMC seem to use the same Chevy sheet metal . So I assume the core support mounts would be the same .

The 57 Chevy & GMC used totally different core supports and frame mounts .

Correct me if I’m wrong please .

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

The fender Spear is what I've been told.

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

No, the core supports were only different pre-58. I have two 58's here at the house and they are identical.

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

Checking the Classic heartbeat site Wes has the radiator support listed as 58/59 as far as chevy goes. https://www.classicheartbeat.com/pro...port-assembly/

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

Borrowed from the net. Butterscotch is 58 and copper is 59 and no I didn't look up the real names of the colors.

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

58 and 59 GMC The roadside truck is the 59. Borrowed from the net photos with all creds to the photographers.

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

Most of it covered . Add that drivetrains are very different . GMC used their own 6 Cylinder engines and V-8 engines that were borrowed from Pontiac . GMC trucks also used Dana rear ends on the 1/2 ton trucks. For some reason GMC used a lot of phillips screws where Chevy would use a clutch head . Different deluxe heater box to compensate for the differences in the dash . Some of the GMC trucks would have a large pipe brace from the upper cowl to the frame . I have seen them mostly on the Napco trucks but also ran across one on a 3/4 ton two wheel drive .

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

You see what you did, Glen? Now guys are here answering the OP's question from 19 years ago...

Re: Difference from '58 - '59 Chevys/GMC
 

Yah , they are so helpful . But I did get my answer about the core support mount on the 58 & 59 GMC & Chevy chassis .