RARE! VINTAGE 1956 GMC TOWN & COUNTRY SUBURBAN CAMEO PICKUP TRUCK RUNS GREAT!

While it absolutely pains me to part with my old friend. the simple fact is that I just don't drive it much and am moving to a smaller home without much garage space.    This is an extremely rare truck. I doubt many are left on the road!  It's time for someone else to enjoy the simple pleasure of driving such a classic.   I have owned this great running truck (lovingly referred to as “Mert” after Mert Lawwill of “On Any Sunday” movie fame – he even autographed the dashboard for me) on and off for the majority of its existence. being both the second (1971-1976) and fourth (1985-present) owner!  When my friends were all getting muscle cars in high school. Dad convinced me this truck (gently used. then traded in to a GMC dealer in San Francisco – I have the receipt from the dealer when he bought it for me in 1971) would be better for me (what he really meant was safer and slower!).   I drove this beauty through high school and college. getting pulled over one day by the previous owner and regaled of the truck's history prior to me.   Then. I got married and the (future ex) wife convinced me to sell it and get something more family oriented.   I always kept in touch with the buyer (first and third owners were both San Francisco firemen. how about that?) and after the divorce. I found out the third owner had passed and his widow was selling the truck!  Dad helped me out once again to get Mert back.   He was in storage for a while and then my current wife and I decided to give it a full exterior restoration. with computer matched factory paint colors (Mandarin Red and Bombay Ivory).   This truck runs great. is extremey dependable and has a current California registration and title.

Here is what I can tell you about this 1956 GMC Suburban.   GM had already started building the Corvette several years earlier. so they had experience with fiberglass.   They wanted to make a “civilized” town truck. so they developed (through trial and error) a streamlined. unique tail lights and grill.  sophisticated rear bed and tailgate unlike the utilitarian steel fendered Stepsides or Fleetsides.   Chevrolet got the Cameo (Carrier) in 1955. with GMC getting the Suburban (quite a bit different) in the same year.   While there were more Cameos. GMC only made 325 of the Suburbans in 1956. because there were 325 dealers across the country. and they wanted to maintain an air of exclusivity on this fiberglass beauty.   This vehicle should be a testimonial (maybe even in a commercial!) to GMC durability.   It still has the ORIGINAL engine in it.   If you look at the odometer. put a 3 in front of the numbers (that's close to 400. 00 miles!).   It has the 270 ci “big” straight six. with the manual 3 speed transmission.   When the third owner bought the truck. he had a professional mechanic go through the engine.   The only thing he recommended was a valve job. which was performed.   Compression was still great. and it runs like a top to this day. no matter how long it might have sat (I drive it about 100 miles a year).   It has the original single barrel carb which has been through a few rebuilds but always chugs along happily.   This even came with the “aftermarket” replaceable Fram oil filter canister system! Over the years. I have made the following upgrades: Accel high performance coil and wires. generator. tachometer. outside windshield visor. chrome door handle plates. 3 seat/lap belts. oogah horn - there's a switch for the regular horn or the oogah horn. tachometer. 4 speaker stereo cassette (hidden in the glovebox. original AM radio still intact). K & N air filter. hidden power radio antenna. electric wiper motor. stainless steel bed strips. battery disconnect. nbsp;fitted cover and probably a few other items I've forgotten.   All trim. badges and hubcaps are ORIGINAL (note the upper “bumperette” has a little rust).

The battery. WHITE sidewall tires and brake master cylinder are new.   This truck has always been stored indoors since I got it back.   When the body shop had it (a year). they stripped all the doors and other typical problem areas to confirm there was no rust.   For a truck this age. the bodywork is VERY sound (no significant fiberglass issues. etc. )  The interior of the cab and the engine are obviously NOT stock. but not bad.   Seat upholstery and headliner were redone by a professional shop and they also made the matching tonneau cover for the bed.   This truck still has ORIGINAL bed wood!  Truck drives. shifts. stops and runs great.   All guages and electrics work.   Oil changes were done annually. and engine should need nothing.   The rear engine main seal leaks slightly (always has). but like Dad used to say “Oil's cheap”.

Here's what I think the truck WILL need: door and window weatherstripping should be replaced and the driver's side vent window is cracked.   If you're a purist. you'll probably want to redo the interior compartments to stock colors.   I also suspect the spare tire will need to be replaced – I haven't pulled it out (it's hidden inside the rear bumper in case you didn't know) in a LONG time.   To the best of my knowledge (and I know this truck pretty well after all these years). that's about it.   It would be a shame to “hot rod” this beauty. I hope it goes to a collector who will appreciate it and leave it stock.   it's been featured in newspaper articles. in a book about men and their trucks. in many parades and casual shows - winning ribbons. awards and so many compliments!

I have a LOT of documentation to include with this. including history of the design. factory service manual. aftermarket parts catalogs and a lot more. including the red GMC Truck hat.   If I have to part with it. I don't want to keep any of this. it should go to the new owner.  

I've just uploaded a short video. of the truck running.   It looks orange in the video (not sure why) but here's the link:

http://videobam. com/IvkCF