Richard and Francis Bisson's 1919 GMC Truck

07 May 2007
# 1931

From Joe :

           In 1919 Lucien “Joe” Bisson started Bisson Moving and Storage with a horse named Dan and a jigger, a drop-axle wagon that was invented in Bangor, Maine around 1850. The design of the wagon made it easier to load and unload heavy goods in the days before forklifts.

           In 1921 Lucien purchased a 1919 GMC truck that was exactly 100 serial numbers different from the one we currently have today. We know this because we still have the original bill of sale!

           This truck “Old #1” was purchased from a restoration shop in Ohio about 25 years ago, and has been used for parades, TV commercials, and of course promoting the family business. Currently, the GMC is owned by the families of Richard and Francis Bisson. It is a regular in the Bath Heritage Days Parade, and at the Owls Head Transportation Museum Tuck and Tractor meet in late July.

           The Engine is a Continental Red Seal 4-Cylendar with a Marvel Carburetor and an Eismann Magneto. We had the magneto rebuilt in 2005 by Mainley Magnetos. They did an excellent job! In 2007 we finally assembled all of the components for the Prest-o-lite headlights. We also had the doors repainted and re-lettered.

           Several years ago, the “Makers Mark” was stolen at a car show. A “Makers Mark” is a small tin placard that contains warranty information, and the vehicle’s serial number. We would like to reproduce this placard if at all possible. In order to do this properly, I will either need a really good photograph of one, or if at all possible, a high quality scan of an original.

           Please contact us if you have any information about other GMCs of this vintage! I am currently restoring a 1923 REO F4 Truck “Old #2”. Details on both trucks can be seen at our web site.

           Thanks for this great web site. It's great to have a place to go for info. There is only so much you can get from a manual.

Joe Bisson
The Bisson Family
Bath, Maine