Pics of my '56 GMC

[greatdaen]

I am a newbie to this forum, but wanted to share my ride.

This 1956 GMC WideWindow was put together in the early 80's - back when I was in Highschool. I have just been enjoying it ever since. I remember hearing so many times as a kid this standard quip: "I wish I had never sold my ....." So I planned to keep my and give it to one of my kids some day. Well, I've managed to keep it for 20+ years so far.

This was to be my "drive to school" vehicle. I got it as a freshman. It was going to be a project of a stereo, fat tires, a little paint, and one of those chrome feet that attach to the gas peddle. Well, my nature has always been to dismantle all the way, and this project was no different. I ended up driving my mom's car, taking the bus and bumming rides from friends through all of highschool. I finally drove it in primer my senior year a little bit.

It started life as a typical I-6, 4-speed, 6-Volt truck. It suffered from the usual rust problems only worse because it had spent part of its life in Salt Lake City. I lived in a small town in Western Montana and had no experience. Our ranch had a pretty good shop for a ranch - that means we had more than bailing wire and nails. Tools were a typical set of Craftsman hand tools. And we had a torch and an AC buzz box welder - and my dad was a very good welder.

I took the truck down to the frame. It received a 283 Chevy small block and a '67 Chevelle donated its 12-bolt rear and a Saginaw 4-speed. I always planned on putting in a Muncie - when I had some money - but it never happened. I don't drive it hard anymore so the Saginaw works just fine.

We began collecting parts - these trucks didn't have much popularity in the early 80's, so you could still find some junkers around for cheap. The lear fender had the spare tire cutout. Found a '57 Chevy with a great box. The cab had bad rust in the hinge pockets and the back corners. Found a '56 GMC narrow window long box that had a cab in great shape. We had a good friend that owned a body shop. I pushed a broom one summer for him and he did some work. We cut the cab off in the middle of the A-pillars in front and at floor level in the rear. We put the Wide Window top section onto the narrow window bottom section and stitched it back up. RUST GONE!

Fenders and glass came from a combination of the three trucks.

The engine recieved a mild rebuild - 0.030 bore, better heads, Corvette stock cam, LT1 Manifold, Holly 4bbl.

Added a tilt column from a '63 Cadillac, the gear shift handle is the emergency brake lever from a '29 Buick road car. We swapped the front drums to late 50's Chevy car to match the 5-bolt pattern on the rear 12-bolt (direct swap). The farm truck had been a 12-volt truck with electric wipers. Used that wiring system and converted to an Alternator.

Paint (although it looks brownish in the pictures) is Yamaha Ruby Red - a beautiful candy apply affair.

Well its time to go to work, but I'll fill in some blanks later.

Enjoy.

-dch

[greatdaen]

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[greatdaen]

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[dubie]

NICE!!!! My wife and I just picked up a 58 GMC short fleetside to fix up as soon as my 72 is done. Your truck is the perfect example of why we chose the 55-59 style!!

[Blue Beard]

Welcome to the board from SW Washington State....

Thats just fine...........wish she was mine......

[DennyB]

Welcome and Nice job on the truck!
I have always had a soft spot for the tri-five GMCs.
BTW Nice turbine wheels, What are they from.

[greatdaen]

Denny,

Thanks for the comments. The wheels were one of those frugal purchases you come up with when you 'aint got no $$'.

They were made by Western Wheel - I think the name was Cyclone, but it's been too long ago to be sure.

These were a discontinued item because they had those wonderful "one size fits none" slotted lug holes - you know, so they would fit a Chevy/Ford/Dodge bolt pattern. I think I got them for $15 each. They were just to get me by until.... and they are still there. I personally have never had any problems with the slotted lug holes. But I have seen the problems others have had.

The only problem I have with them is that the center dust caps are a snap-fit affair and they like to come off. Can't get replacements because Western changed their design - probably because they come off - and the new versions are not compatible. Nothing a little RTV won't fix!

I have been planning on changing them out to something a little more "stylish". But it has been so long, I figure if I wait just a few more years they'll be back in style again!

-dch

[ShamrockCustoms]

great lookin' truck....!

[Stingray42]

saweet! I havent seen a GMC tri 5 done that nice! I really like your 'history' on the truck' very nice

[nitor]

Welcome to the board! That's a really fine ride. I hope my '55 looks that good some day.

[Lucky59]

What a nice looking truck, and a pretty good story to boot... Welcome to the board, from Saskatchewan....

Lucky

[57CAMEO3124]

Nice JoB on your GMC,, ID be proud to drive it.. I really like the color.. looks almost like bing cherry,, Welcome to the site,, From Washington state
Richard

[Michel73]

SWEET RIDE - you did a fine job. I found a '57 today and looking at your pics makes me want to get started

[rico_bob]

Do you live in Tucson? I saw a truck the exact same color parked in a driveway there when I lived there from 1978 to 1981.

I loved it then and I love yours too! Nice ride! rico_bob

[greatdaen]

Rico_bob,

Nope, I live up in the Phoenix mess - Apache Junction. This truck lived in Montana until 1990.

Thanks much for the kind comments. Life/Marriage/Kids/Work have caught up with me like it does for most of us, and my poor little baby has been ignored for a while. Since I have found this great forum, I am getting the itch to get reaquainted.

-dch