Sam Reed's 1954 GMC De Luxe COE

18 October 2006
# 1692

From Sam :

           My Dad and I recently acquired a '54 GMC De Luxe COE. The truck is equipped with a 270 engine, rare factory radio, the super-rare correct '54 GMC outside sunvisor and all of the De Luxe parts including the remains of the driver's-side armrest. Body color is undecided, the truck was originally solid red.

           The bed and PTO are later replacements dating to the '70s or '80s. It was converted to 12-volt long ago, so we're going to leave it that way.

           Thanks to another COE fan (Spanky Hardy, the AD/ND COE guru, who put me on the trail) we found it in a field in northern Missouri. There are only two small spots of rust - one under the driver's door and the other on the lower passenger side of the hood.

           It worked as a grain hauler up to 1994. An interesting note -- while it was ordered with the rare factory radio and the almost unheard-of factory visor, the buyer didn't get the available factory turn signals. I have two '54 GMC / Chevrolet truck turn signal switches so the option will be added during restoration. Our plans are to get it going, check the condition of the mechanicals, fix the few problems with the body and get it on the road.

Sam Reed
"GMCpanel"
Bolter # 2413
Columbia, Missouri