With a handsome older restoration, this unusual 1947 GMC pickup is an ideal example of a working truck from the immediate post-war period. GM redesigned their ½-ton pickups in 1941, giving them a stylish chrome front end that was the pinnacle of art-deco design. After the war, they picked up where they left off, with great styling and rugged mechanicals that made these pickups some of the most handsome and functional machines of their era. And although these trucks were... produced in limited numbers during the war, civilian versions are quite rare, having been produced only in 1941, 1942, 1946, and 1947 before being replaced by the "Advance Design" trucks in 1948. Two-tone combinations work well on these old trucks, and the tan and brown combination here is familiar yet striking. Fortunately, it looks great on the truck's handsome sheetmetal, and the contrasting rounded fenders are a pre-war design, giving this half-ton a wonderful vintage look. The workmanship on the truck is appropriate without being over-restored, which never looks right on a pickup truck, and it will attract attention without looking beat up. The paint has a lovely soft shine that was undoubtedly intentional, and the bodywork underneath is straight and clean. You'll also note a side-mounted spare tire that adds to the functional look and a n all steel bed that's a surprisingly change from the usual polished wood dance floors everyone else installs. Simple and functional is the theme inside, where a basic bench seat, rubber floor mat, and a painted steel dashboard are all standard equipment. The bench has been upgraded with handsome cloth upholstery, and that's a lot more comfortable for driving than the original vinyl. Basic steel doors add to the industrial-strength vibe inside, although they, too, have been upholstered to give it a more upscale feel. The gauges are all functional, covering all the basics of engine monitoring, though there is no radio, which was still an expensive option in 1947. Seat belts with retractors have been added, which is a nice safety upgrade and they almost look like they were born there. It has a nice truck-like feel from behind the giant steering wheel, makes maneuvering the truck easy, and the shifter falls easily to hand and is easy to master. Power comes from a 228 cubic inch inline-six that's a little bigger than the one found in comparable Chevys, and it makes more than enough torque to move the relatively light truck, even with a heavy load in the bed. These engines are known for their longevity, and given even modest care it should run almost indefinitely. Nicely dressed with signs of care and maintenance through the years, the engine bay is something you'll be proud to show off, and it runs just as great as it looks. A new coil, fresh plugs and wires, and a downdraft carburetor result in easy starting, a smooth idle, and easy motoring without any hesitation or stuttering, and since it's entirely stock, maintenance will be easy. The manual transmission shifts easily, and while it won't win any speed contests, this truck will always get you to your destination. The undercarriage is very clean with satin black paint on the chassis, so it doesn't need any extra maintenance. Painted 15-inch steel wheels with trim rings and hubcaps wear recent 7.10-15 wide whitewalls for a great period look. Trucks are coming into their own as legitimate collector vehicles, and these attractive GMCs remain highly sought due to their rarity and nice road manners. Call today!
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