In the last year of the “Action Line” bodystyle, the 1972 Chevrolet and GMC pickups had generally morphed into a single specification, and aside from grilles and badges, there wasn’t much to differentiate them anymore. Still, they were some of the most attractive trucks ever, and this one, offered for sale on Hemmings Auctions in Wallingford, Connecticut, has belonged to the same family since it was new.
In GMC nomenclature, “2500 Custom” denoted a 3/4-ton truck with standard trim; fancier models included Super Custom, Sierra, and Sierra Grande. The exterior of this Custom seems to have gained some glitzier trim over the years, and indeed it was repainted in this attractive red and white two-tone combination at some point over the course of the last 54 years. It’s apparently only been repainted once, and there is “some minor bubbling in one cab corner.” Still, the undercarriage pictures show a very solid truck, especially considering that it’s located in salty New England.
No longer were GMC’s homegrown V6s available in their light-duty pickups in 1972, so buyers had to choose from an all-Chevy engine lineup. The engine in this 2500 is the second-biggest option, the Chevy 350, which produced 170 net horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque, breathing through a Rochester Quadrajet. (A 402 big-block, bafflingly labeled as a 400, was the top dog.) The GMC’s original transmission was a four-speed manual, but it’s been converted to a Turbo 400 (the four-speed will come with the truck in case the new owner ever wants to switch it back). It has power steering and power brakes, nice features to have when you’re wheeling around a three-quarter ton truck.
The interior trim matches the Custom trim in the brochure, so few changes have been made inside; however, an old-school aftermarket radio and custom headliner covered in speakers has been added. Aside from the “dashboard paint [being] marred in spots,” the interior looks like it’s ready for another (“believed to be”) 105,332 miles.
For those who use their truck for hauling, the bed has been coated in a spray-on bedliner, and the sliding rear window will help soften the blow from the lack of air conditioning.
Probably one of every two vehicles on the road today is a truck, so it makes sense that they have become extremely popular collectors’ items, and the 1967-72 Chevy/GMC pickups are among the most sought after. Time marches on, however, and the Squarebody and GMT-400 bodystyles have taken their place at the head of the GMC truck table, so perhaps someone can score a decent buy on this most attractive of workhorses.
Related Reading
Curbside Congregation: A Bevy of Chevys, and a Jimmy Too – Two 1969 Chevy C10’s and a 1971 GMC 2500 (by Jerome Solberg)
The Chevrolet brochure isn’t quite clear, and I’m not seeing the GMC brochure anywhere.. It does indicate the availability of the 400 V-8, but it doesn’t indicate which block. The 400ci small-block was introduced MY1970, so it is possible. But everything else seems to point to the fact that the engine listed as a 400 was indeed a 402 big block. Maybe the Chevy brochure I found was printed prior to the decision to install a big block.
I dug some more. Definitely a 402 big block. The (grain of salt) Wikipedia article about the C/K says the trucks could have a 396 through 1970 when it was replaced by the 402. Then it adds this cryptic note: “Marketed as 400 cubic inches; same as “Turbo-Jet 400″ in full-size Chevrolet.”
My memory says that when the 396 was enlarged to 402ci, they still wore “396” badges on Chevelle. Nothing makes sense.
That’s true, Evan. The SS396 moniker held enough water that Chevy’s marketing department apparently didn’t want to mess with it.
Look at valve covers. Small block. 396/402 had larger valve covers. Should have pics of id flat on block on passenger side in front of cylinder head
I mentioned in the text that the engine in this truck is the 350; we were talking about the top engine option in 1972, which was the 402 (400) big block.
Those great nuggets of knowledge are why this is my favorite site.
Had a ’71. Liked the style, but especially the dash. Power brakes were standard above the half ton, as front discs were standard, starting in ’71.
Now have a GMT-400. Skipped the Squarebody. Build quality on those was awful. Sheet metal die work was the worst Ive ever seen at GM. New water based paint system meant they rusted from the top down.
I would drop a Commins turbo diesel with a six speed manual in it
Dad bought a 1972 GMC Sierra 2500 brand new and we are just starting to bring it back to life, so interesting I saw this article. All original still, 77k miles on it. Still has original biased ply tires on it and the 4speed transmission with big block 400. He had a custom built overhead camper built for it in Englewood CO and this was his family travel truck. Since it is a Colorado truck, it is pretty much rust free. We will be cleaning it up in the next few weeks to see what we have. Still runs and no smoke.