RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored GMC Truck Restoration Results:
GMC Truck Restoration: Old GMC Trucks, Used Trucks And Parts
By:
Published: July 30, 2007
As a brand, GMC truck is 96 years old, a true achievement of longevity among all the other truck-makers. Even though GMC trucks are almost identical to those of Chevrolet, GMC truck sales more than doubled in the month of October 2006 alone. Perhaps due to the longevity or versatility of the brand, GMC truck restoration is as popular a past time as watching TV.
More than a hobby but less than an obsession, scores of people spend their time and energy on GMC truck restoration, on getting old beauties back on the road again.
Due to increased online social networking, it is easy for people interested in GMC truck restoration to connect with other like-minded individuals. For example, a webring dedicated to GMC truck enthusiasts has had over 8,000 visits since its inception seven years ago. Some of its 11 unique GMC truck-related sites provide information and resources on GMC truck restoration, while others proudly feature finished GMC truck restoration projects where participants can post their progress and pictures and post questions or comments they have in the discussion forums dedicated solely on GMC truck restoration.
Local and regional classic car networks are also invaluable sources for information, advice, tips and tricks, and connections to parts retailers or other experts. When people undertake GMC truck restoration, they naturally want to connect with others who have been there, done that. Several of these networks communicate online, such as the Northern California Chevy/GMC Truck Club or Midwest Classic Chevy/GMC Truck Club. Members of these networks come together once a year to showcase their finished GMC truck restoration projects and commune face to face with friends they made in cyberspace.
When it comes to GMC truck restoration, it is easy to find bona fide parts even for the rarest of models exactly due to the longevity of the brand. Gone are the days when used parts were found in barns and junk yards, nowadays technology is making it easy to find GMC truck parts online. For example, an online parts store specializing in 1936-1987 GMC and Chevrolet truck parts, American Classic Truck Parts, lists every part imaginable from wiper motor brackets to seat upholstery kits. Another online retailer, Kanter Auto Products, offers engine overhaul kits for old GMC trucks. Other online resources, such as eBay and craigslist.com, are veritable treasure troves when it comes to finding parts for used trucks and connecting with other classics aficionados to discuss GMC truck restoration.
For learning about GMC truck parts, surprisingly many car manuals are available either through local bookstores, online bookstores such as Amazon.com or themotorbookstore.com, or through Public Libraries. In some cases, car manuals or parts of them can be downloaded online. As a result, it is fairly easy to locate exactly the right GMC Truck Shop Manual needed. Finding the correct manual makes it easier to to decide which GMC truck parts are needed to begin a GMC truck restoration project.
Upholstery is another important aspect of GMC truck restoration, and again the myriad of online resources are good resources. 1A Auto.com carries seat upholstery kits made to original specifications, but the colors may not always match the original shades. Depending on the particular GMC truck restoration, there are many custom upholstery shops that can get the exact shade and do the job for the customer. Forums such as eBay are again invaluable for either finding that bolt of perfectly colored vinyl, or even that immaculate front seat a farmer kept in his barn for years. Creativity and thinking outside the box are both useful tools during the GMC truck restoration project.
It is also important to be patient with the GMC truck restoration project, to remember not to hoard too much work in the beginning just to burn out too soon in the middle. It takes time, money and much elbow grease to get an old vehicle back on the road, and this is the time to rely on the network of others who are passionate about old GMC trucks. They all have been through their own GMC truck restoration projects and will offer their help and support. It will be worth it.
Sources:
Hagin, Bob. “History: Of GMC Truck at 90.” The Auto Channel. 2 Oct. 2001. 14 July 2007. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/writers/bhagin/ 2001/fs0140.html.
GMC Truck Enthusiasts. Webring. 2001-2007. 25 July 2007. http://a.webring.com/t/GMC-Truck-Enthusiasts.
1AAuto.com. 1A Auto Parts. 1999-2007. 14 July 2007. http://www.1aauto.com.
Northern California Chevy/GMC Truck Club.25 July 2007. http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/norcalchevytru ck/.
Midwest Classic Chevy/GMC Truck Club.Hemmings.com. 25 July 2007. http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=midwes tclassicchevy.
American Classic Truck Parts. 1995-2005. 14 July 2007. http://www.americanclassic.com.
Kanter Auto Products. 2006. 14 July 2007. http://www.kanter.com.
Due to increased online social networking, it is easy for people interested in GMC truck restoration to connect with other like-minded individuals. For example, a webring dedicated to GMC truck enthusiasts has had over 8,000 visits since its inception seven years ago. Some of its 11 unique GMC truck-related sites provide information and resources on GMC truck restoration, while others proudly feature finished GMC truck restoration projects where participants can post their progress and pictures and post questions or comments they have in the discussion forums dedicated solely on GMC truck restoration.
Local and regional classic car networks are also invaluable sources for information, advice, tips and tricks, and connections to parts retailers or other experts. When people undertake GMC truck restoration, they naturally want to connect with others who have been there, done that. Several of these networks communicate online, such as the Northern California Chevy/GMC Truck Club or Midwest Classic Chevy/GMC Truck Club. Members of these networks come together once a year to showcase their finished GMC truck restoration projects and commune face to face with friends they made in cyberspace.
When it comes to GMC truck restoration, it is easy to find bona fide parts even for the rarest of models exactly due to the longevity of the brand. Gone are the days when used parts were found in barns and junk yards, nowadays technology is making it easy to find GMC truck parts online. For example, an online parts store specializing in 1936-1987 GMC and Chevrolet truck parts, American Classic Truck Parts, lists every part imaginable from wiper motor brackets to seat upholstery kits. Another online retailer, Kanter Auto Products, offers engine overhaul kits for old GMC trucks. Other online resources, such as eBay and craigslist.com, are veritable treasure troves when it comes to finding parts for used trucks and connecting with other classics aficionados to discuss GMC truck restoration.
For learning about GMC truck parts, surprisingly many car manuals are available either through local bookstores, online bookstores such as Amazon.com or themotorbookstore.com, or through Public Libraries. In some cases, car manuals or parts of them can be downloaded online. As a result, it is fairly easy to locate exactly the right GMC Truck Shop Manual needed. Finding the correct manual makes it easier to to decide which GMC truck parts are needed to begin a GMC truck restoration project.
Upholstery is another important aspect of GMC truck restoration, and again the myriad of online resources are good resources. 1A Auto.com carries seat upholstery kits made to original specifications, but the colors may not always match the original shades. Depending on the particular GMC truck restoration, there are many custom upholstery shops that can get the exact shade and do the job for the customer. Forums such as eBay are again invaluable for either finding that bolt of perfectly colored vinyl, or even that immaculate front seat a farmer kept in his barn for years. Creativity and thinking outside the box are both useful tools during the GMC truck restoration project.
It is also important to be patient with the GMC truck restoration project, to remember not to hoard too much work in the beginning just to burn out too soon in the middle. It takes time, money and much elbow grease to get an old vehicle back on the road, and this is the time to rely on the network of others who are passionate about old GMC trucks. They all have been through their own GMC truck restoration projects and will offer their help and support. It will be worth it.
Sources:
Hagin, Bob. “History: Of GMC Truck at 90.” The Auto Channel. 2 Oct. 2001. 14 July 2007. http://www.theautochannel.com/news/writers/bhagin/ 2001/fs0140.html.
GMC Truck Enthusiasts. Webring. 2001-2007. 25 July 2007. http://a.webring.com/t/GMC-Truck-Enthusiasts.
1AAuto.com. 1A Auto Parts. 1999-2007. 14 July 2007. http://www.1aauto.com.
Northern California Chevy/GMC Truck Club.25 July 2007. http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/norcalchevytru ck/.
Midwest Classic Chevy/GMC Truck Club.Hemmings.com. 25 July 2007. http://clubs.hemmings.com/frameset.cfm?club=midwes tclassicchevy.
American Classic Truck Parts. 1995-2005. 14 July 2007. http://www.americanclassic.com.
Kanter Auto Products. 2006. 14 July 2007. http://www.kanter.com.
Featured GMC Truck Restoration Products:
