All Original Survivor: 1980 GMC Jimmy 4×4
While this 1980 GMC is a 4WD model, known as a K-1500, GM offered rear-wheel-drive versions of their Blazer and Jimmy until 1982. I believe this is a Sierra trim 4×4 and it looks pretty good in the photos. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada, and they’re asking $22,000. I’m not sure if those are Canadian or U.S. dollars. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
The second-generation Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Jimmy were made beginning in 1972 for the 1993 model year through the model year 1991. In classic billion-dollar-boardroom double-talk, General Motors referred to this “square” generation of Blazers and Jimmies as “Rounded Line” trucks due to “subtle rounding of the lines.” What? The public knew better and called them “Square Body” trucks. The seller doesn’t mention the big winch on the front of this rig, or what this truck may have been used for.
This example looks good if not very good in the photos. It’s not perfect by any means, and at this asking price it’s not cheap by any means. Buying replacement parts from any number of aftermarket catalogs will just add to the cost, but it looks like a nice starting point, or just keep it maintained and use it as it is now. Hagerty is at $10,200 for a #4 fair-condition truck and $24,400 for a #3 good example. Is this one somewhere between those two numbers? We don’t know if the rear hatch glass is there and just rolled down into the tailgate, the seller is very short on info in their listing. And, it appears that the exterior handle to roll down that window, and open the tailgate, is missing.
I believe this is a mid-trim Sierra model with carpet and nicer seat fabric. All of that can be replaced, of course. The padded dash has a few cracks and that’ll be harder to change out but it’s doable. The back seat and that whole area looks pretty nice. We don’t get a full look into the rear cargo area, but the seller shows a photo from the side with the tailgate down. Rust is visible in quite a few areas, and one of the scariest photos that I’ve seen in a while is a photo of the left front wheel well, intended to show the condition of the new tires, I’m assuming. I’m hoping that’s more mud than rust in that wheelwell. What do you think?
The engine looks much cleaner than I thought it would, it’s a 350-cu.in. OHV V8 with a four-barrel carb, according to the VIN, which the seller generously included in their listing. It’s complete with factory anti-air-pollution equipment and would have had around 175 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque when new. They don’t say how it runs but if it runs as well as it looks, this is a nice Jimmy. Any thoughts on the asking price of this example, given the current values?
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Comments
I’m unsure as to the origins of those fresh-looking spots on the ground but unless this thing was literally just straining all of the vital fluids poured into it I’d give this vehicle a second or third look.
Origin ? Who knows, hydro co. maybe.. ex F.D .. Nice 8274 Warn winch. Primo gear. Cool truck.
How did they get the name Jimmy? Jimmy Carter? JJ Walker, weird name for a truck , like calling it a GMC Fred or a GMC Howard.
Nickname for GMC trucks dating back to WWII and maybe before. Also Detroit Diesels were known as “Jimmy” Diesels.
General Motors chose that model name because “Jimmy” is a nickname for GMC Trucks that originated with soldiers during World War II. It’s similar to the origin story of how general purpose vehicle, or GP, became “Jeep”.
Coincidentally, my first name is actually Fred, Howard is the middle name of my father and my brother who was named after him, and I used to sell vehicles at a GMC dealership three decades ago. :-))
GMC trucks being nicknamed “Jimmy” goes back a long way. This was perhaps most noteworthy by the WWII GMC two-and-a-half ton trucks (the CCKW trucks) being referred to as Jimmys by service members.
The first two letters—GM—easily become Jimmy. Not dissimilar to the GP (general purpose) designation leading to “jeep” (which is just one of several theories as to how that name originated).
Never knew that thanks. I worked in wrecking, towing and we always call a GMC a Jimmy.
All GM big trucks in the trucking industry were referred to as JIMMY as well.
All GM big trucks in the trucking industry were referred to as JIMMY as well. As far as CB lingo goes.
In fact now that you fellas mentioned that a truck driver we used to haul our crushed cars had a cab over GMC. The emblem was replaced with a fancy Jimmy over top the grille.
To much RUST for me
Oil Leak????? What Oil Leak???? Thats just Sweat dripping from all that horsepower!!!
I also noticed the potential fluid leak? I really don’t see anything that special about this vehicle? I would consider it to be in rough condition.
Rust on the outside and it’s totally ragged out on the inside ! Door bulged out at the bottom.
I wouldn’t feel safe offering the seller half of the asking price? I would be scared that he just might sell it to me?
Just my oponion!
While it will be hard to credit you properly since I only know a username, I will definitely be stealing this explanation. Credit where due, sir!
I cannot imagine these being worth this kind of money in this condition. I have a K5 version in simular condition only a stickshift and you cannot tell every place it has been.., ” I detest things that leak”. I plan on a redo on mine next year. This unit here is kind of blazai, no two tone, I see the rear window is down as it likely doesn’t work. Mine is a manual and works like new. 22k and then you have to get it back to wherever that could be an expensive adventure.
I’d a had a snowplow on that back in the day. Great pusher
If the winch is original and the bigger rubber is 8 bolt heavy axles it could have started life in the oil patch or Trans Canada Pipe Line. Jimmy can also refer to 2 stroke Detroit diesel engines.
$3 maybe $4K. To many unkowns.
Yes, you get a free coat of mud with this truck. It may hide a little rust here n there but no need to worry about drafts in the cab with mud seal. Why such a gap with Hagerty ? 10k #4 ; 24k #3 ? Don’t sound right. 24k for a #2 or little less than a #1.
Rust thru does not make this either. I think he’s dreaming like the bronco guys. (Didn’t run but…… and the body is well ventilated with minor patina) . If it runs out might be a 7000$ trick