Just saying hello

[bigblockv6]

According to Bob Bray the V6 was dropped around March 1969 in light duty trucks, after that you could still get the V6 as a dealer installed option up to 1972. Looking at the pics of the truck Dennis just acquired it appears to be a very early production 1969 model because the tailgate has the smaller GMC logo on it carried over from the 67-68 models. Generally the 69 models had the huge logo on the tailgate but a few did get the smaller one.

[bigblockv6]

No decal set for the hubcaps, it will have to be carefully masked and painted or replaced with a reproduction cap.

[1969_CM2590D]

Originally Posted by bigblockv6

No decal set for the hubcaps, it will have to be carefully masked and painted or replaced with a reproduction cap.

Well, It looks like "GMC" is stamped in that rear hubcap, so I'll have to revive my model building/painting skills. The fact on the tailgate is quite interesting, but not surprising. I can remember as a kid the very first cars of a model year used up various pieces of run-out stock. The most obvious were... the hubcaps from the previous model year!

[bigblockv6]

According to the 1969 GMC Owner's Manual the NP435 was offered in two versions, the close ratio NP435GA with a 4.56:1 first gear and the NP435GL with a 6.68:1 first gear. According to the VIN your truck was built in the Baltimore assembly plant.

[1969_CM2590D]

Originally Posted by bigblockv6

According to the 1969 GMC Owner's Manual the NP435 was offered in two versions, the close ratio NP435GA with a 4.56:1 first gear and the NP435GL with a 6.68:1 first gear. According to the VIN your truck was built in the Baltimore assembly plant.

I guess I'll have to see what I can find on the M25 vs. M28 NP code. Of course if I have to shift out of low at 3 MPH, that will answer the question.

As I went down to look over the truck I got overtaken with a rather nasty cold/flu thing. So I was sort of on autopilot checking it out, looking for the weakest areas, but not as thorough as I might have been. Nonetheless, I got a very good sense about the truck. There is an owners manual and a file of bills to go with it.

[bigblockv6]

The tailgate background on 67-69 was painted in what was called "non smudge aluminum" GM code 575 and PPG code number 8568 available now only in their OMNI Basecoat line of automotive paints, in can be cross linked to Dupont's automotive paint line as well. Around 1970 the aluminum color was replaced with the Chivy trucks, obviously a production line cost saver as all GMC light duty trucks were coming out of the same assembly plants as Chevrolet trucks and certain models like the Jimmy and Suburban and possibly trucks with rear coil spring suspension were coming off Chevrolet Truck assembly lines.

[bigblockv6]

I meant to say around 1970 the aluminum background tailgate color was replaced with white, black also came in on white colored trucks some time on 1968

[Ed Snyder]

When Pete (bigblockV6) said that "you could still get the V6 as a dealer installed option up to 1972" it brought back memories of my first purchase of a new truck in 1972. I got quotes from the local Chevy and GMC dealers for new short wide 4WD pickups. The Chevy had the ubiquitous 350 V8 of course. But for the GMC, I had the dealer quote it with a dealer-installed 351E V6 in place of the V8 it would have come from the factory with. Unfortunately, the price quoted for the GMC came to about $4500 while the Chevy was about $3500. So I ordered the Chevy. Two and a half years later the Chevy was stolen and never recovered. I always wondered if I had ordered the GMC instead, if I would still have it.

[GMC Guy]

Hubcaps are correct, it's just that the rear caps need to be repainted. The front is obviously the Argent Silver style. Caps were the same for 1/2 ton & 3/4 ton models. See 1960's GMC Hubcaps, Wheel Covers and Rims for reference.

Here is a link to another unique GMC V6 powered truck in the later body style. See 1967 GMC C35 dump truck.

[GMCDAC]

Originally Posted by 1969_CM2590D

(oh yes and my Case 446 garden tractor as well).

I didn't want to change your subject but I dig old garden tractors too, I have '65 and '75 Massey Ferguson's that do my yardwork and snow removal.
Would love seeing pics in the "Other Projects" forum on this site!

Originally Posted by 1969_CM2590D

For those of you curious, here's a few shots of the projects.

You can see, especially with the Corvair, why I need a hauler. Once I get moved and get them inside it's time to take them apart and clean/refinish.

After that? Maybe a Brass car?

Dennis Nichols

How 'bout a brass era GMC! I would roll in that Corvair, great little car!

Originally Posted by 1969_CM2590D

Well, It looks like "GMC" is stamped in that rear hubcap, so I'll have to revive my model building/painting skills. The fact on the tailgate is quite interesting, but not surprising. I can remember as a kid the very first cars of a model year used up various pieces of run-out stock. The most obvious were... the hubcaps from the previous model year!

You shouldn't have any problem repainting your caps, especially if you were a die-hard model car builder at one time. My '72 C2500 didn't have hubcaps with it even though it was only 7 years old when I bought it. Could never find any for it locally and when the internet came around the price of GMC hubcaps were way out of my budget! About 10 years ago a guy gave me a set of Chevy caps off a '73 he was scrapping. I have an old vinyl cutter for sign making so I made my own GMC stickers to cover the bowtie, and no one ever knew the difference even though the shape was there. Need to make some new ones pretty soon though. Stickers only last so long out in the weather!

Thanks for your posts!---DAC