The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 9300 1953 GMC (Canadian)

I've just recently picked up what I think is a model 9300 1953 GMC pickup. I've done some diggin around and found a bit of info on it but I'm drawing a blank on the trim, body, and paint codes.

Model:9314
Serial:3931403979
Engine:C663699
Trim:394
Body:1827
Paint:331

At the risk of being condemned I'm thinking of doing a rat rod type build. I don't plan on doing a crazy body drop on it, the roads in Saskatchewan don't favour low ground clearance. I'm hoping to use the forum as a bit of a record on the build but mostly to seek the wisdom of those far smarter than I. Thanks guys and hopefully the build goes as smooth as one can.

Good luck finding codes for Canadian GMC trucks. I gave up finding them for my 46, but it may be easier information to find for your 53. I did a rat build on mine, it's your truck, do what you want.

46gmcpu' go to the following link:

http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0010.html

Suggest you Google "General Motors of Canada, Vintage Vehicle Services" which provides various ways to reach their oldtimers desk

Operators are standing by to (for a nominal fee) provide all data they have on file

You will likely find that for a 1953 GMC most Engine, Trim, Body & Paint coincide with that for a Cdn Chev Model 1300 pickup

[hope you will give serious reconsideration whether to rod it]

GM Canada vintage - but unless they can come up with the original build sheet [unlikely], you won't find any info on the trim and paint codes

Bill

. . . yes, but they may be able to tell you what the equivalent was to (for example) PAINT 331

PAINT 331 may have been Oshawa's code for a colour/color that is in the Cdn 1300 Chevrolet books and may be identical (or very close) to a US 3100 Chevrolet colour/color

Sometimes Canadians have to compromise to survive

Oh! Canada

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately I've searched that and other resources I've found, none of them matched the codes on my truck.

See the color codes linked on this thread by tclederman

The first digit is the year, the following two indicate colour. In your case, Commercial Red

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=931521

If GMC Canada used the same numbers as my 49 chev 1/2 ton , Trim # 394= brown leatherette interior, Body # 1827 of how many they built that year, Paint # 331 is the colour, I do not know what colour that is. Go to red58 and click on the GM Canada vintage site and send in your information, pay the money and if nothing else find out its birthday and the name of the colour. Have fun, Brian

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. It looks like the truck was red at one time so that would fit with the paint code. I'm hoping to pick the truck up in the next couple weeks and get started.

I've done some preliminary searching on the web and came across this site for glass. Has anyone bought glass here? The price is way below what I was expecting to pay for glass and it seems like one of those too good to be true situations.

http://www.vendio.com/stores/bobscl...1-53-chevy-gmc-truck-window/lid=32936812

Have you checked the prices from other vendors? Which one?

Classic Parts would cost you about $220 for those same 5 pieces of glass that cost $310 from "Bob's Place". By the way, what is the mailing address for Bob's Place?

$320 from Classic Parts would include the curved corner windows for a 5-window cab.

find out what it would cost at the local auto glass shops around you before you pay shipping from who knows where ["Bobs" is somewhere in Oregon]

Bill

Sounds like the price isn't all that crazy then. I'll check out some local shops I just happened to stumble across that in my internet searching. I'm hopefully picking the truck up this weekend since I'll be down there for Thanksgiving. Should have a couple more pics up by the end of the weekend.

Find a local glass shop that will cut the laminated glass for you . Make sure the invoice says what kind of glass it is . You need to keep the inspectors happy .

Picked up the truck today and I don't think things could have went any smoother. The truck was buried in the dirt partway up the rims but all four tires held air. The truck has been sitting there since '85 so that kinda blew my mind. I'll get a couple more pics up and hopefully have it in the garage later this week. Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadians!

Yes, on the glass take templates to a local shop. I got my side windows and back window from a local chevy parts vendor. For those windows it was easier to do it that way (and possibly more economical), but the windows weren't quite the right shape. They ended up working, but I wouldn't go that route again. It needs to be the right glass too. For the windshield it needs to be laminated safety glass, so you're best off to get it cut.

Got some photos up of the truck. The old man is bringing it up tonight so we'll take it off the trailer in the morning. Guess I better get the garage cleared out.

http://s1275.photobucket.com/user/jvwicker/library/GMC%20Rat%20Rod?sort=3&page=1

What engine does it have?

I'm not sure. It's my first build so I'm lacking in the knowledge department. I'm sure it's the original so hopefully someone with a little more knowledge can answer that question.

So I finally managed to get heat in put in the garage(working on a truck at -30 held little appeal for me) and got the truck in as well. I've got most of the front end removed and am prepping to pull the engine and tranny. I'm looking at upgrading the suspension and steering once everything is off the frame. A mechanic friend of mine suggesting looking at one of the Mustang suspension kits. Anyone tried one of these out or is there a better solution out there?

I've never driven a Mustang II-suspensioned vehicle that didn't have bump steer. They just don't handle and drive to my liking. There are several reasons I did the S-10 frame swap on mine, and that's one of them.

That's a good looking truck, you should put some updated pics on your photobucket. I love the GMC's because they're much less common than the Chevy's.

How much work is the frame swap? Haven't attempted anything like this before but from what I can find it doesn't seem too bad. I'll try and get some new pictures up during the holidays.

Please ask your modification questions in the HiPo shop.

Thanks.

If you can do some fab work it's not bad. It fits like it's made to on the AD trucks. PM me if you want more info.