General Motors first major redesign post WWII, the advance-design series as they called it, was billed as a bigger, stronger, and sleeker design to its earlier series trucks. I’m sure they had no idea just how these trucks would hold up and become so sought after as they are today. This particular truck had been put “out to pasture” some time ago, having served so well over the years at a Texas cattle ranch.
Gregg Pellicer of South Daytona, Florida purchased this truck from there and began the year long “resuscitation”. Gregg has worked for over 15 years at a local Chevrolet dealership in town as a mechanic – specifically on transmissions. He was no stranger to working on vehicles either having built so many of his cars himself. His modest ranch home belies the fact that behind it lies a complete fabrication shop with tin benders, welders, presses and more. He convinced his wife there was plenty of room in there for one more hot rod!
The cab needed extensive work as it looked like a tree had fallen on its roof but the bed was surprisingly free of any serious damage. Patch panels were hand made and “stitched” in place. Dents were pounded out by hand with hammer and dolly. An ’88 S-10 chassis was cleaned up and slid under. At 117 inches it was but one inch longer than the stock GMC chassis and this seemed to center the wheels so much better. A ’70 Chevelle rear was added (bit wider so helping to fill the wheel wells), as well as 2 inch lowering blocks with “de-arched” springs and a two inch drop in front got it to sit just right. Wheels are reverse chrome with chrome caps and 15×6 fronts (205/70R15’s) and 15×8 rears (225/70R15).
Gregg had an old 283cu in motor sitting around which he rebuilt adding a 4brl Eldebrock carb and manifold. A Crane Cam was installed with HEI distributor and power pack heads gave it all the GO he would need. He then installed a 700R4 trans and had to shorten the driveshaft 5 inches because the engine was set back so far. Cooling was a radiator donated from a friends 56 Chevy. Classic instruments and a Bosch tach handles the monitoring of all the vitals. It steers via a ’70 Chevelle column with the stock steering wheel from the 50 GMC. Air is a Southern Rods unit.
Classic Industries provided the bumpers and grill surround. Deck lumber was used for the bed, sanded and coated with varnish finishing that off nicely. His brother provided some old side mirrors that were laying around, year and model unknown, but unique in design. An old WWII footlocker was refurbished and put in the bed for various tools and storage.
Rhino Bed Liner was used extensively under the cab, fenders, firewall and running boards too. Keeping that “home-grown” theme, Gregg scrubbed the whole truck with CLR and a many sets of scotch pads after first removing the “rattle can” primer with lacquer thinner. This revealed the original GMC color (Red) but also many layers of previous paint jobs. He liked the look so much after he was done that he just cleared it all with 2 quarts of clear.
Interior and ’88 Silverado seats were straightened out and covered in a Red/Black theme by The Upholstery Man in South Daytona. Music is provided by a set of four speakers and a Pioneer Stereo system hidden behind the center dash grill. Whatever sound is playing, we like the music this truck makes! Its different, his daily driver and home built to last another 75 years. Certainly an Advance Design like no one at GMC would have ever imagined! Well done Gregg!
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