The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Original MSRP

So I took my recently completed 52 GMC 1/2 ton to its first cruise-in car show this past weekend and one of the spectators asked the question "what did it originally sell for in 1952?" I had to tell him I really didn't know. Does anyone have access to that information?

GMC 1/2 ton longbed or shortbed pickup?
Options?

Approximately $1,350 to $1,500 for 1953 Chevrolet 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton pickup.

GMC would be more.

Maybe someone has GMC information.

It's a short bed that as far as I can tell came with no factory options although I added the optional 6.50X16 tires.

I would just say "Less than $2000." Most spectators don't know enough to care for the real number.

Huck, go to nadaguides.com and look up the value of the truck - they tell you the MSRP. for instance for my 56 3100 it says the MSRP is $1670...

tomctomc, thanks I tried that but it said N/A under MSRP, so I guess they don't know either.

I had posted this same question over at oldGMCtrucks and found out that according to the Standard Catalog of American Light Duty Trucks the 1952 original MSRP would have been $1,385.00.

I have this for the 1946 Truck Line:
Chevrolet started producing light-duty trucks in May of 1946 which would be considered the first postwar models. The 1946 models looked similar to the 1941 models and were based on the same design however they had 5 years to test and improve their product. The ¾ Ton had a longer bed and a longer wheelbase than the ½ ton. The Chevy 1-Ton came in a full range of model options such as the Panel, Canopy, Platform and Stake. Available options on various models included rearview mirrors, spare tire and wheel carrier, long running boards, heavy-duty clutch, sun shades, tail and stop lamp equipment and more.
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Paint colors available were Brewster Green, Apple Green, White, Omaha Orange, Hollywood Tan, Bordeaux Maroon, Swift’s Red, Medium Cream, Armour Yellow, Export Blue and Boatswain Blue.

Model Number Body/Style Number Body Type Factory Price Shipping Weight
Sedan Delivery - Series 1500 - 116 in. wheelbase
1508 - Sedan Delivery $1,173 3,135 lbs

1/2 Ton Commercial - Series 3100 - 115[/size] in. wheelbase
3102 - Chassis $796 2,300 lbs
3103 - Chassis & Cab $922 2,680 lbs
3104 - Pickup $963 2,925 lbs
3105 - Panel $1,077 3,145 lbs
3107 - Canopy $1,126 3,135 lbs
3106 - Suburban (door) $1,283 3,370 lbs
3116 - Suburban (gate) $1,281 3,385 lbs
3112 - Chassis & Windshield $817 2,350 lbs
Harold

Harold, where did 'this' come from, do you have a source for it?
Man of man that sure wasn't much for a pickup back then. I would
think somewhere at GM they would still have those numbers. I'll
bet there are guys in the VCCA that have them also but you have
to be in the inner circle to get any information out of them.
Thanks for posting that.

Denny G

I have a 1946 Chevrolet Truck Data Book with an insert PRICE INFORMATION 1946 CHEVROLET TRUCKS AND PASSENGER CARS dated 9/16/1946

The printed prices are lower than what Harold posted. However, every 31xx model price and shipping cost is crossed-out and higher prices have been hand-written in. Those prices are higher than the printed prices but a little lower than what Harold posted.

It looks like price inflation was around 15% per year in 1945 and 1946; so, GM prices most likely changed throughout each year.

These price lists were sent out to be added into the Salesman Data Books. As Tim stated many of mine have handwritten or typed updates in them as prices changed.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8131120023/in/set-72157631872034068
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8131150038/in/set-72157631872034068

Denny,
I reduced the info above from the following web site:
http://www.oldride.com/library/1946_chevrolet_3100.html

Harold

Brad,
How about opening the price book & srarring the info with us?Thanks,
Harold

3100 & 3600 PRICE INFORMATION 1946 CHEVROLET TRUCKS AND PASSENGER CARS

9-16-46 (effective August 23, 1946)

I have 1947, 48, 49, 50 and 54.They cover every model and all the options, let me see what I can do for scans or something. Here is an example of one that a dealership person updated by hand.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8131119579/in/set-72157631872034068

Brad,
Insteresting reading!
Think I could still get a set of those fog lights for $20.40?
Harold

Yeah I would order a bunch of them and a case of factory radios! And throw in 12 of the overflow canisters for $2.95.

$75 for a radio back then was a heck of a lot of money. Probably equivalent to about $500 for today's money.

Here is the 1946 Truck Accessories page from my 1946 TDB.

Brad, what is the date on your price list?

Why were the GMCs more?

We do not have good enough GM-document factory pricing information for GMCs to know for sure that they cost more.

My BS conjecture would be: lower production numbers, better engines, and more metal in the grill (just a jab/joke regarding the grill).

That guide is September, 1950. I have two from 1950 the September and a March version.

Thanks. I've also wondered what the branding strategy was back then between chevy and gmc. Were the GMCs marketed as a heavier- duty truck? The Chevys more refined? Vice versa? GM spent a fair amount of money on the different part toolings so there had to be a strategy.

From the original ads I have seen the light trucks were marketed as being built "Just like the big ones" and most of were directed at farmers. Maybe Brad Allen can post some links to the original ads he has.

Going by the inflated price of a Chevy 1/2-ton truck today, that
$1,500 50's truck would be about $30,000, using the same ratio
that $75 radio would be $1500 today. No wonder those truck
radios weren't all that common.

Charlie would have a lot more knowledge about the differences
between the Chevy and GMC but from what little I know of them
besides the obvious stronger engines, there were many other
areas where they were beefed up. Pete has finished a complete
restoration of a '52 Chevy 3104 and a '53 3/4-ton GMC and could
also attest to some of the variation between the two.
I guess I look at the GMC as a Heavy Duty versions of the
Chevy truck.

And although I have been having trouble staying logged in all
morning and have typed this three times only to be thrown out
and have to start over,,,, I gotta thank Brad again. Or maybe I
shouldn't, cus ya hooked me into you site for a couple more
hours this morning with those pictures you posted last week.
And of course I couldn't just look at the new stuff, had to
peruse the older pictures for a while also. I still
say, you have to have a 100x50 warehouse out back to
keep all that stuff in.
You and Tim are gonna be running head to head as far as the most
watched sites on the Stovebolt. And I want to thank both of you
guys for the generous contribution you've made to the accurate
documentation of these early truck and for sharing it with us.

Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Yah, what Denny said! Thank you!
Carl

Always a pleasure, good people and of course good trucks here!

Slightly off topic....

Will the GMC inline 6s bolt into a Chevy without mods?

I'm guessing not, since I've not read about it here.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engine_swap2_302.htm

I think these two are the same:
http://www.langdonsstovebolt.com/tech/engine-swaps-to-better-sixes/
http://www.inliners.org/tech/tech1.html

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/gmc302.htm