The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk how rare is gmc p.u.

i am looking to buy a
1955 1st. pickup with
hydro trans.i am wandering
if it is a rare find?

Factory Hydra-Matic?

1/2 ton?

Part year production make it rarer than other years, and the Hydra-Matic make it rarer than standard transmission 1954/55 Z-series trucks.

GMC make it rarer than Chevrolet.

As Tim says, it is uncommon, but that doesn't mean
that it is sought after. Many people find the
hydramatic to be rough shifting and prone to troubles
which are expensive to repair and difficult to adjust
and switch them out in favor of a modern trans.
Also there were '53, '54 and '55 models equiped with
the hydramatic.
Not to many people like the looks of the GMC front end
over the Chevy.
DG

i like the look of the gmc truck
thats why i drive gmc trucks all
the time,i now drive a 2002 and 2012
gmc sierra p.u.
i also thought that a hydro in a
old truck would be good
i have a 1954 chevy 1/2 ton
it is fun to drive,
6 cyl. 3 speed

Those old transmissions are easy to work on and build much better than the newer stuff. Not half the mess as overhauling a 700R4. Only expensive to have a shop that doesn't know about them work on it.

There are a lot of us that prefer the GMC over the Chevy. Not anything wrong with the Chevy's, just a preference.

i think i may get this truck
runs and drives for $2500
1955 1st gmc 102 with hydro.

Sounds like a great deal.

Hydra

Well ye can't go wrong for $2500. Any AD or GMC of the same
series that you can drive away is well worth that. Is it a five
window? A few years ago I almost bought a '53 3/4 ton GMC for
the same price but we ran into a snag on the title. It had been
a Hydra-Matic but was converted over to a 4-speed years ago. As
you can see from what some of the guys here have posted, there
is a group that likes the GMC look.
I've been driving a '97 GMC Sierra for about 10 years now, I
usually think of it as a Chevy since they are pretty much the
same truck now a days.
As far as the Hydra-Matic, I personally like them. I had
Oldsmobiles when I was just a sprout and thought they were a
good trans, again, not the opinion of a lot of folks. In fact
I've been gathering up the parts I need to convert my '54, 3604
from a four speed to a Hydra-Matic one day. I'm doing that for
the simple reason that it isn't that common and my "big old wife"
will find it easier to drive it. I don't think it will make it
all that rare as far as value goes, in fact it may even devalue
it from the standard shift version for most people.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

the truck is a 5 window,deluxe cab
needs to be gone through was redone
20 years ago,motor runs good,
the only problem is getting it shipped
from oregon to michigan.

Sounds like a good excuse for a nice sight seeing trip Keith.
Find a buddy with a car hauler and head west young man.

Denny G

Yes, the tranny is very rare. Did you get the 55 five window yet? Kinda funny, last summer I bought a 54 five window Chevy 3100 with a 4 spd hydromatic from Oregon. That was the first year Chevy put the tranny in the 3100. The local 'ole timers will gather around it, comment they've never seen one, but only heard of the automatic. It was also rebuilt about 18 years ago and parked ever since then! After we trailered it home to Idaho, I spent about 30 mins converting it to 12V, another 30 mins later we fired her up! She's a true survivor and I drive it a few days a week. The 4 spd automatic operates without issues. My 16 year old daughter loves to drive the oldie. I hope you get the 55, you'll enjoy it.

Nice, where in Oregon is the truck located?

Shipping is not a "problem", it's just $1 a mile +/- .

Right Bart, only you would only have to factor in
$2,229.40 to price of the truck.
Denny G

That's less than $4800. ($4729.40) They're selling on Barrett-Jackson right now for $48,000.

You can get hauling for less than that if you look around.

If it will drive on to a car hauler, you can probably get it moved for $1,000 or less. Try the hauling board here or Yesterday's tractors or U-Ship. Non runners are tough to get shipped, but if it runs it won't be that hard to move. I have used DAS open carrier division out of Dallas before. Their rates are a little higher, but they are very dependable.

Klamath Falls, OR to Detroit, MI is 2325 miles. No way for less than a $1000. Not even less than $1500. The "G" man is right on the money. Price of Diesel is too high.

This is my 49th year to own and operate trucks. My USDOT number is 272279, MC no is 590227 and TXDoT 35687. I am also a gasoline distributor. I know what Diesel costs and I am involved in transportation every day.

So ship it for him for less than $1000 Like you said. I have shipped many vehicles using guys like you and they charge about a $1 a mile (or more). Depending on dead heading, backloads, fees, commissions and distance. If you think he can get it shipped 2325 miles for less than $1000 you may be out of touch with what is happening now. All the quotes I get recently do not reflect your pricing ideas regarding vehicle hauling NOT gasoline tanker or short hauling around TX.

This is the wrong forum for this argument. Please drop it.

Thanks

See,,,,I told ya so!
DG

scott,where did you buy your truck at in oregon?

i am hoping to get truck soon
cannot find trucking co.
to haul for a good amount,do not want to
pay to much,

It looks to be a real nice deal for the price even if it cost u $1500 to get it hauled home.

hopefully,truck is suppose to get picked
up today thur.18 and i am to get truck
mon. or tues. next week

Nice, Glad it worked out for you. The fun of showing it off is coming for you....Enjoy

i got my truck this morning
it cost $1400 to get it shipped
nice truck runs good needs to be gone through
but i have a truck with a hydro trans.

Congratulations. If you have half as much fun with your old truck as I do mine it will be worth it.

Well now lets see some pictures of the old gal Keith.
And stay with us for the restoration.

DG

i cleaned the truck last night
hope to have some pictures soon
runs good starts right up
good tires ,i need to do the brakes
new battery,needs a little work
but i will have fun working on it
i still have my 1954 chevy p.u.
to drive,i have to get it out of
storage at my sons garage
the 54 is a 6cyl.3 speed