Photos from the Cohort by William Oliver.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Outtake: 1975 Chevy C10 Pickup – Little Feet
CC Capsule: 1976 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Pickup – A Rusted Development
Junkyard Classic: 1983 Chevrolet C10 Custom Deluxe – Basic Is As Basic Does
What? No rust at the top of the wheelarches?
Ontario as well, the rust province of Canada. When I was a mechanic we would cringe when a car came in for work with Ontario plates
It’s from an interesting time in the life cycle of the stepside bed. Older folks thought of the stepside as the thriftier (aka cheap) choice, and if you wanted a “nice” truck, you’d buy one with the smooth-sided bed. But younger buyers were starting to think of the stepside as the sportier, more hip choice. Some aftermarket manufacturers were even offering replacement/custom stepside beds for Toyota and Datsun pickups, just to make those trucks “cooler”.
When the “squarebody” trucks were replaced with the GMT400 in 1988, a stepside was definitely the sportier option, and an upcharge from the standard, smooth-sided bed.
It’s an 8′ long Step-Side, kind of a rare model. Very true how the step-side went from the low priced utilitarian model to the sporty choice in the mind of the consumer. Ford had even gone so far as to drop the short 6.5′ ‘Flareside’ model in 1973 only to bring it back in 1976 when such trucks became ‘cool’. I liked that GM updated their Step-Side rear fenders in ’67 and again in ’73 to match the current cab styling. The ‘Sport-Side’ 1988 GM trucks and the later Ford F-150 ‘Flareside’ pickups made the transformation complete.
A cement company (Francon), and a paving company (Interprovincial Paving), used a very similar red for the corporate colour on their trucks and equipment. Lends this GMC, a fleet appearance. For me, at least.
No doubt, some of the most notorious rusters of the 1970’s.
One amber rear sidemarker and the much more common later hubcaps – a base ’75/76 would’ve originally had painted ones in a slightly different style – but otherwise as detail-perfect an original or stock resto as you’ll find of one of these. They were full of minor trim pieces that were updated frequently but interchanged across several years.
From the liscence plate number and the fact it is registered to the owner, that plate has seen a lot of trucks over it’s years or that truck has been one person’s baby for a loooong time.
Nice .
My 1976 GMC 2500 long bed fleet side had this same tomato red color .
Yes, they were terrible rusters (and the hood bent easily) but they were also very good trucks .
-Nate
Well one thing for sure-the engine in this one does not have the ridiculous cylinder deactivation! And that engine will last longer than the one in my 18 Sierra!!
But a great find. I liked these trucks
My Dad’s last new vehicle was a ’75 Chevy Stepside. These had been the “cool truck” since the 1970 MY. There were many that were lowered with custom rims and exhaust. My Dad had his for over thirty years. It was well optioned; V8, auto, power steering and brakes, a/c, AM/FM radio, and upgraded interior. Black outside, red inside. It drove very well, smooth and quiet. Of course he put a camper shell on it! Fuel economy was very poor, but he had a very short commute. I drove it many times over the years, I did not like the cramped driver position, but that didn’t stop me from borrowing it when needed!
It is family heresy to say that I became a Ford man after I bought my ’66 F250. It was a conventional cab, but the driving position was much more comfortable. I now have my forever truck. ’07 F150 long bed, and I find it very comfortable. I am over halfway to thirty years of ownership!