1975 GMC Gentleman Jim

1975 GMC Sierra 1500 Sierra Classic Description

You are bidding on an original Gentleman Jim Special Edition Pick-up. There were approx. 800 of these black and gold trucks produced and this my be the first or one of the first because it was built in Fort Wayne in Nov. 1974. The Gentleman Jim wasn't released to the public until March of 75. I have the entire history of the truck as I am the second owner, bought from the original owner who lived in North Vernon, Indiana. I drove this truck home and used it for several years before beginning a full frame off resto-mod restoration. There is over $20,000.00 invested in this project so read carefully. The truck needs completed but all the hard work is done and it is complete.

HISTORY: The truck was purchased in Dec. 74 from Country GMC Pontiac. It was not supposed to be sold. The truck was to travel to various dealers as a promotional item. The original owner saw it and raised hell until they sold it to him. He kept the truck until 1983 when he traded it in on a new GMC and then two days later returned the new truck demanding his 75 back. It was a better truck. I bought the truck from him and met him at the original selling dealership now known as Country Chevrolet, in Nov. 2011. I drove the truck 377 miles to Pittsburgh and it never missed a beat and it ran great for the next two years until the original 350 turbo started to slip and it was then time for a full bare frame redo.

BODY: The truck has all it's original factory sheet metal except for the tail gate. There were two holes the size of your pinky in each rear wheel well. No other rust or damage except for a few small dent was visible. After disassembly, the metal was stripped bare and I discovered some small pin holes in the cab corners and a few pinholes in the floor. All metal was replaced with LMC panels. The remainder of the cab, hood, fenders, doors, bed sides were rust free and are original GM. The truck was covered in Epoxy primer and several coats of 2K filler primer. Currently the truck will require some minor final filling and small mark removal, blocked and painted.The til gate is the only piece not yet in primer. The body work is about 90% complete. The floor pan, under carriage, dash, door jams etc. are all cut in and painted in base-coat / clear-coat black.

CHASSIS: Stripped bare and all components blasted clean. A new rear cross member was fabricated and a new style "crank down" spare tire adapted. The frame and most components are finished in base-coat / clear-coat. Everything is new or rebuilt. Front suspension has new powder coated 3/4 ton upper and lower control arms, they have greasable shafts. New ball joints, springs, tie rod ends, idler and pitman arms, Bilisteen shocks and an 88 Trans Am WS6 1.25 inch sway bar added. Rear suspension has each spring rebuilt with urethane bushings, Teflon liner between each leaf, one inch lowering shackles, Bilisteen coil over shocks and a 7/8 inch WS6 T/A sway bar. The rear diff is the factory heavy duty 3:42 locker that has been fully rebuilt, all new bearings and seals etc. All brake components are NEW and stock GM rotors, drums etc.The lines are stainless steel from Inline Tube. All fasteners are grade 8 coated or stainless steel, all line clamps are stainless insulated.

ENGINE / TRANS: The engine is a fresh 91 SS 454 badged as a 502 but it's a 454. The motor had 40,000 miles on it before getting new rings, bearings etc. It had perfect no wear cylinders and 4 bolt crank. The heads are 71 Chevelle SS 396 units with a multi angle valve job, comp springs, ARP rocker studs, moly pushrods. The compression is approx. 9:1. The motor has a "Mother Thumper" cam, comp roller timing set. Melling 80 psi oil pump and hardened shaft, Accel HEI, Taylor wires, Wieand polished intake, 870 Holley Street Avenger carb, 8 qt. oil pan, Stewart high flow water pump and BRK coated short tube headers. The motor has been test fired and the cam broke in, valves initially setbut will require final tuning. Sounds mean, seems strong. The trans is a pro built 700 R with extra clutches, Kevlor bands, shift kit, B&M 2200 RPM stall speed convertor, SFI balanced flex plate. Other items include a Pypes stainless exhaust with Violator mufflers, 4 gallon aluminum "Be Cool" radiator, external trans and oil coolers, Custom A/C, Alt. and PS brackets, new Sanden A/C compressor with new custom made hoses. Everything is detailed and finished like a factory build, clear coated even factory build tags were installed.

WHEELS: Are factory GM truck 15X8 Truck Rallies (the original Gentleman Jim used a 15X7 wheel and they are available if you want them) with new centers and rings and Cooper radials including the spare.

INTERIOR: Has been custom covered in cloth using the original seats, a new style counsel with cup and belt holders. A Trans Am leather steering wheel is installed on the original tilt column. There is a new dash pad.

OPTIONS / FEATURES: All Gentleman Jim's left the factory fully loaded. There were few options but here's the list of what it has and what ahs been added. A/C, tilt wheel, cruise, AM / FM / 8-track (yes it's there and it works), a remote CD player and self contained CB has been added. Also added are power windows and door locks from Specialty Power Windows, a remote for the door locks, all using GM switches, Dual fuel tanks (all new) with a Holley electric pump, tach dash (tach is not working, it's a new LMC unit as the original was bouncing, possible not connected), bed rails, Cibe Driving lights (very rare and I have two sets, the originals and a NOS never installed set), roof lights, bed rails, fabric tonneu cover, chrome step bumper. Special unique floor mats (these are nearly perfect. The last set I saw sold for $800.00), sliding rear window.

It's all there and many new parts are with it including all new rubber seals, window fuzzies, wheel well trim, front bumper etc. I have all the original side trim but was going to replace it with new, just didn't buy it yet. The Gentleman Jims used a unique yellow/gold paint in the side trim. This was used in later GMC's but in 75 all were black. I have a can of that special trim color to repaint the side, wheel well, and back of cab trim. All Gentleman Jim's were black and gold. I had a gallon of "Hurst Gold" mixed to paint the gold. The original shade was dull and unflattering. The wheels and grill have already been painted in the Hurst gold.

The truck will require final body and paint and panel adjustment work, assembly, a few new parts ordered from LMC, and tuning, adjustments, alinement, some wiring,etc. Yes there is work to be done but most of the hard work is finished. It will run and drive, steer and stop, but it is not and has not been road worthy yet. I have my reasons for selling, they are private. I've described it as best as possible, please feel free to ask questions.

Shipping and transportation is on the buyer. I will load the truck with all its parts and pack everything carefully and I will assist the shipper in any way possible but I will not make arrangements. I have no time frame for pick up. There is no immediate hurry but it will not leave until fully paid for.

A non-fundable $500.00 deposit through PayPal will hold the vehicle. All payment must be in cash or bank check. I will accept a full Pay Pal payment if you pay all their fees.