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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 480 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2017 Posts: 480 |
stopped at a small car sow in Warsaw, Missouri today and saw an un-restored 53 GMC 1/2 ton with a 4 speed automatic transmission. I didn't even know they made those back then, but across the bottom of the indicator it said GMC Truck Transmission. Anybody kinow anything about these?
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur ( https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road. Tim
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy bluesman, I have a three quarter ton version of that truck. My understanding is they put the automatic (Hydramatic) in the step vans for at least one year before they were available in the pickups. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | My earlier post disappeared - I hope it does not show up after I post this.
As posted above, GMC first used the Hydra-Matic in a non-military truck in a 1952 Step Van.
The H-M was available in GMC light trucks in 1953.
The H-M was first available in Chevrolet light trucks in 1954.
The Hydra-Matic was used in some military trucks before 1954.
Trivia Question: what was the largest number of “gears” available in any H-M truck (hint : a GMC)?
I bet that no one here has ever seen one. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy tclederman, The Twin Hydra-Matic used in the largest trucks had sevens speeds available in the transmission alone, but those transmissions were always attached to a two or three speed reduction unit as well. I have seen trucks equipped with them and I have seen one transmission as a display on the back of a truck a non-functioning unit. It is one of the GMC hens teeth I am always on the lookout for. | | |
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