TOTM - June 2006 - Step'n Out

[northerngmc]

Northerngmc
1959 GMC 9314


The truck was purchased new in a small rural Alberta town, Wetaskiwin to be exact by a farmer. He also purchased a brand new GMC grain truck the same year. Fast forward to 1989 when I found it sitting a few blocks from my parents house. The truck had passed through two owners both hoping to fix it up prior to me purchasing it. I registered it back on the road as the second registered owner in the fall of 1989. Before putting it on the road I had to go over the mechanics of the truck and install new tires.

In 1995 my father and I pulled the engine out and took the head off. Realizing that it needed more than just a set of rings my brother spoke to the shop teacher at my high school shop, and he was more than happy to have the chance to rebuild a 235 I6. The high school students tore the engine apart, rebored it, rebuilt it, and reassembled it. I bought the parts and they did the labour. A great deal for both of us!

In 2002 I finally maded the decision to have the body painted, which turned into a frame off restoration. I did not want to paint the truck until I had found front signal lights, they are not reproduced and NOS are hard to find. I do not do body work so I found a hop that would. It started out as a simple paint job that got carried away. I was swapping cabs, so why not paint the frame. The frame was painted so why not repaint and detail the engine., etc, etc, etc........

The truck in a 1959 GMC 9314, which is a Canadian half ton short box stepside. Canadian GMC's have Chevrolet drivetrains, therefore it has a 235 I6, and 3 speed manaul transmission.

The truck is painted 2002 Chevrolet Truck light pewter. The box now has all stainless steel hardward, oak wood and still has tailgate chains, but the stake pockets were removed. The wheels are stock with 48-54 GMC hubcaps and the proper trim rings.

Inside it has an original seat that I found in a firetruck, the seat cover is still the original cover without any rips or tears. I have managed to find an original tach, AM radio and deluxe heater for the truck.

The truck was in Classic Trucks May 2004 Classic Cruisers and a feature article in the June 2004 Canadian Classic magazine.