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The Newsletter of the GMC Truck Chapter of POCI
July/August 2018
THE GMC TIMES
Wilhite’s 1956 GMC 100 Stepside Pick Up
1937 GM
C
Streamline
The GMC TimesJuly/August 2018
Volume 12 ~ Number 4
The Official Publication of POCI’s GMC Truck Chapter
Pontiac Oakland Club InternationalChapter #93 ~ Established 2007
www.gmctruckclub.wordpress.com
The GMC Times is published six times per year by the GMC Truck Chapter of the Pontiac-Oakland Club Interna-tional (POCI), a nonprofit organization.
The GMC Truck Chapter, founded in 2007, is dedicated to the preservation, res-toration, education and enjoyment of all GMC vehicles, stock or modified. Mem-bership in POCI is highly encouraged when joining the GMC Truck Chapter.
Dues are $15.00 per year (U.S. funds, $20.00 outside of U.S.) Annual “sub-scription only” rates for the GMC Times newsletter are $20.00 U.S. and $25.00 (outside of U.S.) An “elec-tronic” membership is available for $12.00 per year. Send change of ad-dress notices and article submissions to the GMC Times editor (use the contact information listed at right).
GTC Head Honchos
PresidentDennis Carol
9503 Country Club LaneDavison, MI 48423
Vice PresidentJohn Preikschat
PO Box 310 Station MainWhite City, SK, Canada
(306)[email protected]
TreasurerDon Berringer
1303 U.S. Hwy 42 Ashland, OH 44805
419-282-1200 [email protected]
Secretary, Newsletter Editor,
Web Site Administrator:Paul Bergstrom
PO Box 68Maple Plain, MN 55359
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GMC TRUCK CHAPTER
gtcpoci.info
Page 2
PREZ SEZI spoke to Don Meyer, the GMC Historian, on July 3rd. I asked him how his lecture at the POCI convention went. He said it was very successful. He figures over 50 people attended his presentation. I have asked Don for a copy of his slide presentation and perhaps a transcript, so we can share it with you, the member-ship, in the near future. It is my desire to post it to the chapter website sometime in the future.
Don said he got to speak to the owner of the Wisconsin Dells Ducks (DUKW) while he was there. The owner gave Don a personal tour of the garage, history of some of the vehicles, as well as how they are maintained and modified for today’s certification and use. Don said he thoroughly enjoyed his DUKW ride too. He said it’s an absolute must for any true truck or boat enthusiast.
What a difference a month makes! I was planning on giving Black Beauty (my 2008 GMC Envoy Denali) a major tune-up since I just turned 200,000 miles on her recently. However, my wife suggested I trade it in for something newer but still used. In less than a week, we looked at some newer GMC Canyons, Chevy Colorados, Dodge Durangos, and a Jeep Compass. I ended up trading Black Beau-ty in and getting a slightly used blue/gray (9,600 miles) 2018 Chevy Colorado LT 4x4 crew cab with the V6 engine. I will apologize right now for being GMC-less (mea culpa! mea maxima culpa!). It doesn’t mean I am any less a GMC enthusiast. The deal was just too good to pass up. Besides anything I do to the Colorado can also be done to the Canyon.
I just finished the 4th of July parade in the village of Hadley, Michigan with my family. Next up for me is the Motor City POCI show, the second of the SE Michi-gan Tri-Power car show series on July 14th. In mid-August it will be time for Back to the Bricks in Flint, Michigan and the famous Woodward Dream Cruise, which is a 16-mile long rolling cruise from Ferndale to Pontiac, Michigan. I highly en-courage you to put this cruise on your bucket list someday.
Friday, July 27, 2018, will be a special night at the all new Pontiac Transportation Museum (PTM) in Pontiac Michigan. It is a fund-raising event for the museum, which I plan to attend. The PTM will house vehicles made in the local Pontiac area, including Pontiacs, GMCs, Oaklands, Carter Cars, etc. The museum is going
continued on page 3
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
GMC Truck Chapter
Member Stories & GMC Truck Photos Wanted!
What’s in your garage?
New members... send us some photos of your trucks!
Prez Sez to be managed by Tim and Penny Dye, who currently own and operate the Pontiac-Oakland Museum in Pontiac, Illinois, off Route 66. The PTM is not expected to formally open until this fall, so I hope to be able to obtain more information about the PTM from this event. The nice thing it is located just off Woodward Avenue in Pontiac. So guests can visit the museum and then cruise Woodward on their own, if they choose to do so.
Let us know what you are up to this summer, what you GMC story is, we’d love to hear from you.
Until next time, Dennis Carol, GTC Prez.
continued from page 2
…..means everything else is just a Tonka!
Bruce Blitz - Van Nuys, CARichard Kiesow - Woodville, WIEugene Whipkey - Fairview, WV
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From The Driver’s SeatPlease take the time to read the note from Dennis on page 8 and let us know what ideas you have for our chapter: growing our membership, better com-munication, improving our newsletter, website and facebook page, and possi-bly hosting an event at the POCI con-vention. We value your opinions. Call, write or email a chapter officer or my-self with your ideas.
Thanks to Dennis Carol and Tom Wil-hite for contributions to the newsletter. Until the next issue...
Keep on Truckin’! Paul Bergstrom, Editor
GMC Truck Chapter website:
gmctruckclub.wordpress.com
2019POCI ConventionGettysburg, PA
July 16-21, 2019
POCI’s 2019 Convention announce-ments are being published in the Smoke Signals. See pages 58-59 in the August issue for the first update.
Registration for the event is available on line ($65) at www.poci.org.
There will be two host hotels: the Wyndham Gettysburg (717) 339-0020 and the Courtyard Marriot (717) 334-5600. Mention “POCI Group Block”. The Wyndham is SOLD OUT but the Courtyard Marriott is now taken res-ervations. There is a list of overflow hotels and campground information in the August issue of Smoke Signals.
Page 5
‘37 GMC Streamline
Share your GMC photos and vintage ads with the GTC! Items can be scanned and returned, contact Paul B.
For more details - check out this website: 1937gmcstreamline.com
I had a phone call recently from a gentleman that is familiar with the restoration efforts on this very rare and unique GMC truck (located in California). I referred him to Don Meyer for more information on these trucks and asked the group to consider joining our chapter. I think we did a feature on this truck a while back. This is from the 1937gmcstreamline website:
One of ten GMC Streamlines produced for Rainier A force in Rainier growing companies 1937 advertising campaign were these especially designed stream-lined trucks which were in service in San Francisco and Los Angeles . it was in these “ time - telling “ streamliners , Which were literally moving billboards , that deliveries of Rainier Beer and Rainier Ale The “ American Ale for American Tastes “ were made.
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Page 7
by: Dennis Carol
There were two old GMC’s at the Motor City (Michigan) POCI 5th Annual Round Up show. There were some late model entries too but I didn’t really look at them.
The 1959 GMC 100 Fleetside Longbed (above) is still literally working on the farm. A true survivor with its straight six and 1 barrel carb. Looks like dinner is in the passenger seat. It is owned by Louise Ruks (Otisville Michigan)
Here is GTC members Paul and Marjo Prinzing’s 1983 GMC Caballero. They are from North Muskegon, Michigan.
OUT and ABOUT
Page 8
Dear Fellow GMC Enthusiasts, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Welcome to the annual GMC Truck Specialty Chapter meeting. I apologize in ad-vance for not being at the convention this year. Between starting a new job a year ago, and having to look after my aging father nearly every day, I don’t have as much vacation or even free time as I would like. So please accept my humble apologies for my absence. I’d like to thank the chapter’s board of directors for their enthusiasm and their support this past year. Please take some time to thank John, Don and Paul yourselves for all their hard work. I would also like to thank all of you that have either written articles about your vehicles or who have taken the time to call or write me. I do appreciate everything you, the membership, do as well.
If you will have me, I will be happy to remain your chapter president for the next year. I certainly hope you have had a chance to meet Don Meyer, the GMC Historian and one of this year’s presenters at this year’s convention. I am fortunate to live near Don. I learn something new every time I talk to him. Don’t be shy and say “Hi” to him if you get the chance. He is a wealth of knowledge, and don’t be afraid to ask him ques-tions about your vehicle.
At this time, we have over 140 registered members, not including their spouses. We have members from nearly all 50 states, as well as members from Canada and Eng-land. Thank you for your love and interest in GMC trucks.
As a representative sample of the membership, I hope you will take time today to share with Paul and the board what you like about the chapter as well as what you think we can do better. We want to give you what you want. We also want to know what we can do to grow this chapter. We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Do you think POCI board is doing enough to promote the GMC side of the club or can POCI do some things better too? Let us know.
Finally, thank you for time. I hope you enjoy yourselves at this year’s convention. I look forward to hearing from you. I pledge to keep finding and writing articles for you as well. I am always looking for ideas for articles. If you have an idea for an article, please let me know.
Remember, GMC RULES!!!! Everything else is just a Tonka !!!!
Sincerely, Dennis Carol – GTC President
GTC Annual MeetingThe following letter from Chapter President Dennis Carol was read at our annual meeting.
My fascination with GMC pickups started when I was a teenager. My cousin’s vehicle to drive was a ’56 GMC 100 with a 316 Pontiac en-gine. So, many years later when I could afford to build a truck I found one at a car show for sale. After a few years, I finally got started on it. A good friend of mine was a body man all of his life and had a busi-ness he left to his son. I made a deal with his son: if he helped me with the body work on the GMC I would help him with the mechanical work on a Cobra kit car that he had. In a year’s time, we did a frame off restoration including a Heidts independent front end (with disc brakes and rack and pinion steering), and a 4-link system in the rear. We used a ’64 Cata-lina differential with 3:42 gear and a posi unit.
The engine was a 316 cid and has the same bellhousing pattern as Pontiac mo-tors up to the 1960s. I used a ‘65 389 and bored it out to 4.092 and installed a 4” stroke crankshaft. This combo made it a 428 engine and it bolted to the ’56 original bellhousing. From an earlier project, I had ’64 GTO heads and a Micky Thompson Cross Ram intake with (2) 750 cfm Holley carbs. We used flat tappet hydraulic lifters, Lunati camshaft (.468 x .480 lift at 220:233 duration at .050). The A/C we installed was an old air unit from a 2nd series GM pickup. I used a Griffin aluminum radiator.
My wife insisted that I reuse the column shift (3-speed shift) so that’s what I did, except we made it a 4-speed shift and 4th gear be-ing overdrive. When reverse is needed, we pull the column shifter in neutral and pull out a Tee-handle overdrive cable that shifts the trans into reverse.
The truck was a small back window model when we got it, so that had to go. The after market people make the whole back of the cab in two pieces, inner and outer to change to the wrap around rear glass, We cut through the back of the old cab from drip rail to floor pan and the rear door part, then welded in the new panels.
We painted the truck Tropical Turquoise which was used a lot in 1957 and Artic White through the middle.
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Wilhite’s 1956 GMC Pick Up
We had the body all done painted, down to the frame and we were ready to install the rear window. It wouldn’t fit. We ru-ined two rubber seals trying to make it go in. The glass is tempered and cannot be sanded. The only option was to make the hole bigger! I cut two 2x4s that were about 18” long and put a groove in the 4” side of the 2x4. I put one on top and one on the bottom. I stuck a porta-power be-tween and jacked the hole 3/16” bigger. That allowed the glass to go in.
We used all new repo parts on the bed with pine flooring and all of the fasteners are stainless steel. To hold up the tailgate, we eliminated the chains and used ny-lon straps with spring loading sliding latches on both sides.
We used Auto Meter gauges in the dash and mounted the fuel tank under the bed behind the rear axle. We now fill the tank in the bed floor.
Story by: Tom Wilhite; photos by Paul Bergstrom
Page 10
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Feature Stories Wanted for the GMC TimesMembers are encouraged to contact the editor to discuss ideas for feature stories. We are looking for stories about members and their trucks, vintage ads and photos related to GMC Truck history and also any tips or technical advice you have that may be of help to other members.
E-mail: [email protected] or call (763) 242-6734
If your chapter membership dues are due...we have enclosed a renewal form for you to use.
Thank you for your continued support!
GTC Donation
Thanks to Paul Prinzing for donating two scale models to the GMC Truck Chapter. One is a 1:43 scale 1936 GM Sreamliner, used in the Parade of Pro-gess shows, the other is a 1:64 scale GMC Futurliner.
Page 12
GMCs in the Dells
(top) Doug Troot’s 1986 GMC Pick Up (in points-judged)(bottom) Brian Klassen’s ‘59 GMC (popular vote) and ‘67 Beaumont SD 396
Don Meyer’s presentation - “GMC Truck History-The Middle Years” is available to watch on POCI’s Facebook page (or the GMC Truck Chap-ter’s Facebook page). Look for it after you click on the “Videos” link. Thanks Don for sharing all of this information with us at the convention!
Page 13
GTC Facebook Page
Join us on Facebook - we currently have 1,500+ likes, not too shabby!
www.business.facebook.com/GMCTruckChapter
Check out our Website:www.gmctruckclub.wordpress.com
GTC E-mailBag1978 GMC Sierra pick up truck. 94,000. We do have the title and keys but I do not believe that it runs. We are asking $3,500 or b.o. (412) 897-5736 (PA) Pam [email protected]
As we went to press:
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GMC TimesClassified Ad Rates:
(for 6 issues)
$200 full page $100 half page $50 quarter page $25 business card size
GMC Times On-LineMembers have access to the news-letter on-line from our web site:
www.gmctruckclub.wordpress.com
LMCTruck.com | (800) 562-8782 |©2017 Long Motor Corp.
Parts & Accessories for Trucks & SUVs1947-13 Chevy/GMC • 1948-15 Ford • 1972-15 Dodge
John Thomas’ 1964 GMC C10 Share Your Truck Journey at
LMCTruckLife.com
Page 15
1967 GMC: 3/4 ton V6, 4-spd, 15K actual miles. Former service station truck, needs work, has been sitting out-side for many years. Contact Harry Samuel for more information (248) 258-6269 (MI)
$4,000 each: (3) ‘59 GMC 100’s. #1 Rare fleet model, 8 ft. stepside, orig. and 90% compelete. #2 Small window, 8 ft wideside, chrome grill, 350 V8. #3 Big window, orig. V8, pwr steering, 90% complete. Contact Bill Sells email [email protected] (Parma, ID)
‘57 GMC extended cab w/’65 389 2 bbl, auto, Chevy front clip. Not com-pleted, project. Best offer over $7,500. Nelson Powell (618) 347-2370 (IL)
PARTS FOR SALEFor Sale: NOS 1965 GMC Truck Right Side Front Fender Part #1-3781472 $150 or best offer John C. Zaborowski (814) 739-9421 (PA), e-mail [email protected]
GMCs FOR SALE
PARTS FOR SALE
Literature for sale: 1998 GMC Denali info in styrofoam block, unopened $18 postage paid; 1999 GMC Sierra tri-fold box info. $15 postage paid; 2002 GMC Envoy tri-fold box info $15 post-age paid. Contact Mark Jaffke, 8101 Westview Lane, Woodbridge, IL 60517 (630) 910-1247 (weekends only)
Have rear ends, trans, etc. for larger trucks. Richard Hurt (925) 200-5279
305 V-6 Rebuilt Comp Eng 3,000 mi, Best Offer Must Sell. Roger Aho (734) 751-9316 (Plymouth, MI)
305 V6 engine: 3,500 miles on prof. rebuild, the works! $900. Walt Heini-ger 208-835-4720 (Troy, ID)
1952 GMC center hubcaps: white lettering $100 + shipping. Howard Kolus (717)766-6444
1954-57 GMC 6-volt radio, exc. work-ing condition with original installation instructions and manual. $575 Daniel Rush (207) 985-9850 [email protected]
Shop Manual: GMC Hydramatic Transmission. Printed 1957. Also covers PTO Gearbox and 2 and 3 speed Reduction Units. Shopworn and faded, but complete and intact. $35 with post-age paid. George Field 804-752-6384 (VA)
Original style maroon seat cover set for ‘48-54 French stitched, excellent cond., some holes from retainer - do not show $400 new - asking $200. Charles Petty, [email protected]
1957 GMC: Camaro sub frame. 1966 389 motor.700 r4 trans. Cruise control, tilt wheel, vintage air/heater, power steering, power brakes. We drive this truck anywhere, it gets noticed wher-ever it goes. Iowa. Fly in, drive home! Asking: $22,000 Rainer Nielsen, [email protected]. 712-431-6837
Wanted: Literature/brochures for ‘37 to ‘58 Canadian GMC light duty truck showing panel trucks and sedan deliv-eries. Wanted for 1949 3/4-ton: radio, fog lights John Preikschat (306) 771-2929 [email protected]
Wanted: cab for 1/2 ton ‘69 GMC pick up. Lloyd Oman, Box 131, Brady, NE 69123 (308) 930-0131
Wanted: ‘46 GMC lower front grille. Louis Flippin (336) 986-8802 (NC)
Wanted: Any speed equipment for 50’s GMC 228-302 C.I. engine (in-take manifold, exhaust headers, carbs., etc). Duane Peterson 716-664-1973 or [email protected]
Wanted: ‘92-‘99 Suburban Running Boards. I am in need of the factory ABS molded black plastic running board in excellent to mint condition. These boards consist of a long center along with a front and rear end-cap. Bryan Hartley, [email protected] 317-530-5574
Wanted: 1954-59 GMC COE “Can-nonball” diesels: artifacts, memora-bilia, photos Also driver’s stories run-ning these trucks. James Semon (440) 979-0831 [email protected]
Wanted: GMC COE, Delane Lang-ton Billings, MT (406) 248-7205 email [email protected]
Wanted: V-6 plaid valve covers (‘68), decals for Gentleman Jim (‘75), info on Longhorn model (‘69 with 8.5’ bed), grille for 1946 GMC. Don Ber-ringer (OH) 419-289-0591
WANTED
Wanted-Front Grill Emblem for 410 GMC 55-59, will pay in advance and pay for shipping. Contact: Lawrence Pilgrim, (706) 892-6440 (GA)
1959 GMC wanted: fleet model (stripped down pick up). Send photo to Jerry Welden, 202 Glen Dr., Iowa Falls, IA 50126 or email [email protected]
1956-1959 GMC Pickup with original factory Pontiac V-8 engine. Contact Jim Ketchersid at (205) 979-5387 (AL) or [email protected]
Wanted: Any GMC truck or tractor prior to 1950. Joe Castellana 404-808-1010 (GA)
Wanted: 1970-72 GMC pickup: 1500 1/2 ton, 2WD, shortbed. #1/ or #2 con-dition. Reward paid to leads that end up in a purchase! Steve Ledger (847) 487-5340 (IL) [email protected]
Wanted: Frame to Transfer case bracket shown on page 368 of GMC Service Manual (1968 GMC 3/4-ton, 4WD, 4-speed pick-up with Rockwell-Standard trans. case). David Harris (860) 584-9377 (CT)
Wanted: for 1989 GMC Sierra 3500 SL Dump Truck (SWB) grille, tan door panels, dash rubber floor mat, rubber cover for brake, what have you? Deane Fehrman (303) 880-2900
Wanted: flywheel for 1955 GMC Pontiac V8 (175 tooth) Ted Bustos, 24 Bailey Ridge Rd, Garden Valley, ID 83622
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GTC Technical Advisors
GMC HistorianDon Meyer, GMC Historian, is avail-able to field your questions. You may contact Don at (248) 693-1227 (Michi-gan)
GMC MotorhomesJohn Biwersi, (651) 779-6498 Central Time Zone (MN), [email protected]
1947-53 Series 100-250 GMCs
American Truck Historical Society (A.T.H.S.) mechanical advisor George Bennett has offered to help out GTC members with questions on 1947-53 Series 100-250 GMCs. Send a SASE please. George Bennett, 8678 US Highway 98, Sumrall, MS 39482 George has owned a 1961 GMC pick-up for 44 years. He is also looking for used chrome park light trim rings for 1951-63 GMC pickups. Contact him if you can provide any leads.
Canadian GMCsJohn Preikschat call (306) 771-2929 email [email protected]
Late 1955 (2nd version) and 1956, 1957 GMCs
Steven Cook, 16565 Lancaster Estates Dr., Grover, MO 63040 (314) 795-4700 or email: [email protected]
WANTEDWanted: GMC hood emblem for 1941-47 GMC C.O.E.; Intake, Exhaust Manifold for GMC C.O.E. 228, 248, 270. One for an updraft Carburetor Walter Heiniger (208) 835-4720 (ID)
Restoring a 1989 3500 short-wheel-base “Tipper”. Could use tan interior parts, door panels, dash, upholstery and good grille. Also married to “S-Series” (1955-67) IH 3/4-ton pickups and parts. Interested in sales brochures for both. Deane Tehrman (303) 880-2900 or email [email protected]
Front clip & bumper for a 1957 GMC Pick Up. Prefer factory light blue col-or. Jim Goltz (507) 828-9712 email [email protected] (MN)
Wanted: set of hubcaps for a 1966 GMC Suburban, 4-wheel drive, 1/2 ton. Don Golm (708) 485-6950
Wanted: step gas tank for a 1971 C60 Chevy Single Axle dump truck. Con-tact Jerry Holtzgrafe, 2626 Mayfair, Quincy, IL 62305, (217) 316-329
Always looking for photos of GMC Cannonball trucks, James Semon Sr. [email protected]
Wanted: 1959 GMC Truck “wide-side” or Suburban with original Pon-tiac V-8. Any condition. 910-686-0899 John Keating (NC)
Wanted: 50s to ‘72 GMC 2-wheel drive automatic pick up, solid. [email protected] (920) 621-0584
Wanted: 1949 GMC pickup ignition surround ring/lock, diagram for throt-tle & carb., AM radio (complete, was radio delete). Kerry Klotzman (216) 469-0190 [email protected]
Wanted: Continental 4-cyl. engine for a 1920 GMC 3/4 ton Model 16 truck, need for parts. Also, 1922 Buda engine specs. Dennis Klug (320) 251-3133
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GMC Chapter Membership / Subscriber FormIndicate if joining as a POCI Member or a non-POCI Member
____ $15.00 Annual dues if you are a POCI Member (POCI # _________)____ $20.00 Annual dues for non-POCI member
____ $12.00 Annual dues for an Electronic Membership (newsletter is emailed to you)
(US rates above, if outside of US, please add $5.00 to the rates above, except for Electronic Member)
NAME: ___________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ________________________________________________
CITY: _________________________ STATE/PROV. ______________
ZIP/POSTAL CODE: ____________ PHONE: ___________________
email: ____________________________________________________
GMCs owned: _____________________________________________
Send check or money order made out to: GMC Truck Chapter of POCI
c/o Don Berringer, 1303 U.S. Hwy 42 Ashland, OH 44805
NEXT ISSUE...how about a feature onYOUR GMC TRUCK?
WANTED
Wanted: Fleetside tailgate for my 1959, “Fleetside” bed emblems, can be very rough, for a trailer. Natalie Preikschat (306) 692-3938
Wanted: 1-2 full cover hubcaps for ‘69 1/2 ton GMC pick up. Mark Freitas (978) 808-5665
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