Big Block Dually: 1983 GMC C3500 Sierra Classic
I try not to write like my gender, but this truck is so well photographed in such a beautiful setting that I can’t help romanticizing it. Here on eBay is a 1983 GMC C3500 survivor, with the Sierra Classic trim package, a dually set-up, a big block 454 CID, and original everything. The truck has spent its working life on a ranch, and I bet that bed is big enough to haul at least a ton of hay (13 bales where I live). What’s not to like! Oh, and it’s a no-reserve auction with forty bids carrying it to $7100 – but I bet it escalates before the auction is over. Buy new tires for it, and you can motor home from Loomis, California. This truck is part of the Rounded Line launched in 1973 as a continuation of the C/K series. The “C” means we’re talking two-wheel drive; the “3500” identifies this as a one-ton. Front-end updates in 1981 brought a four-headlight option to the table which by 1983 showed up on most Chevy and GMC trucks. This example is missing its front turn signals, probably because it has a pre-’83 grille installed. The ten-panel grille was used in 1982 and earlier, and the turn signals were located in the bumper.
Engine options in 1983 ran the gamut from the Turbo-Thrift inline six-cylinder right on up to the top-shelf 230 hp 454 V8 that we see here. For what it’s worth, this is the original engine, and it’s backed by a TH400 automatic, a Dana 70 rear axle, and the Camper Special kit including heavy-duty rear springs and sway bars, a larger radiator, an oil cooler, and auxiliary plugins. The truck is said to start readily, run well, and shift as it should. Consulting the AutoCheck report shows the odometer has turned once, so the mileage sits at about 149,000.
The interior is optioned with the Sierra Classic trim including a brushed aluminum instrument panel with needle gauges instead of idiot lights, full carpeting, deep foam padding on the bench seat, and special door panels. The dash has a couple of cracks, and the seller reports a small tear in the driver’s seat upholstery – otherwise, the interior is quite serviceable.
The fenderside bed is said to be in good condition and the bumpers are straight with good chrome. The Almond and Frost paint job shows modest wear, including a few nicks and mottling over the hood. The sheet metal is rust-free and largely undamaged, with just a few shallow dents. The underside is astonishing – it’s that clean. In terms of value, vintage one-ton GMC pickups in good condition should sell in the low five figures. I call this one underbid so far; what do you think?
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Comments
Relax, dear, I don’t think anyone here classifies your gender as being a deterrent. Fact is, you are one of the sharpest people here, regardless of gender,,,I think. Anyway, THIS? Nah, I’d much rather have the rusty Bronco. See how foolish that is? What you have here, for the same price, is a truck that can haul the mail. No BS about it. Naturally, I like the style, and I DO think this may have been a womans truck, merely for the automatic. Macho men had to have a 4 speed. Before 5th wheel trailers, these were very popular with the horsey set. Before Dod,,oops, I mean RAM, GM practically invented the dually, RAM simply offered a better motor. Say what you will, GM never regained that title, as almost all duallys today are RAM. Trucks sure made a left turn, as far as popularity, but for someone that wants a truck that’s all business, this was the last of the Mohicans and without going to a semi tractor, this was the best we had. I wouldn’t dawdle on this one.
RAM never built a better anything than The General.
Correct.
Howard is not.
actually not true, I’m not sure where you get your information.
GM (Chevy and GMC) same line had 39% market share last quarter. Dodge had 20%. Ford had 35% by the way. They typically don’t actually sell the most like they advertise constantly.
The guys on the line at GM build more than the other guys.
You can split the 1 tons off and see. I don’t think Ram sells more of these by far than either GM or ford.
I would love to have this. I am not sure how it happened but I was given a very ratty 78 nothing 10 series unit. That truck served me well, 20 years, a 700 mile move where it made 50 plus trips, towing, hauling in all types of conditions and never a single issue. A 305 from a 78 Impala coupled to a tranny from a 76 Impala. Then there is my 75 version, a one ton 350, 4 speed with a Holmes 440 wrecker body. Again, YEARS of service with never a single freakin’ issue. A 76 K5 Blazer, just fun and always ready to run. My daily an 87 3/4 ton loaded Silverado that runs like new. There is only two issues with these trucks, RUST and on some fuel mileage otherwise these fellas love to work and play and are like and old leather jacket that just gets better with age. This unit here will make a great friend to whoever gets it. I have my share of these great vehicles.
This one here is a really pullin’ Jesse. Big motor, 4.10 ⚙️ dana 70, the Turbo 400, tow pkg. Love the color, tough front end and regular cab.
Amazing condition. New duallies are so expensive, this one is a comparative bargain. Will probably give many more years of service. Low entry price, but at $5, $6, $7.00/gal, and 6 mpg they are going to strain the gas budget. Having had one, it is hard to believe how quickly the needle moves.
Agree 110%. I had a ‘86 GMC 1-ton dually, standard cab like this one, Sierra trim, 455/400, 4:10. Would pull a tank and pass everything but a gas station…
Jay, i had the same truck back in 88, when gas was under a dollar a gallon. I got 4.5mpg around town, but with a good tailwind, i could break 10 mpg on the highway! Comparable mileage per Gallon to a Mark V Lincoln… enjoy your day, Sir!
Chrome valve covers to wow the horses.
Saw the switch on the dash for dual tanks. My dads 81 had that and it really helped extend the range. With a 454 and 410s you would need all the extra gas you could get to be able to actually get anywhere.
36 gallon gas capacity will give ya around a 200 mile range
So, found on a ranch, all the nuts and bolts for towing and still in great shape may point towards a lady’s horse puller and Sunday go to meetin’ truck. Some folks can have nice things.
As for being a woman’s truck, maybe. When my parents ordered their new ’72 C20 come RV Dad wanted nothing to do with a stick. Mom didn’t even drive, yet. I just think that after driving milk truck and being mechanic in Korea as a Marine he was just done with shifting. However I would watch him operate any vehicle with ease.
Bought one new in 85, had the 350, it could carry the load but could barely move it, 5-7 mpg fully loaded.
My 91 K2500 on a 1 ton chassis with 454, granny 4-speed, and 3.73 pos gets 11.5 mpg. Didn’t buy it for gas mileage but for towing and hauling
Nice truck. Does it come with its own team of STOP OIL protesters?
STOP OIL protester: (noun) a squishy thing too stupid to get off the motorway and deserves the bum whacking as adults that their parents should have given them as little kids.
I had an 89 4 door last year of the body style on the dually whereas the light trucks had rec’d the new body already.
Big truck yes but the 40ft King of the Road 5th wheel I bought it with dwarfed it. Trailer was too damn big.
Sold the truck which I recall had low miles to an older man in 2002 for 9K
I like what I see. Lots of these out west, only with either and extended cab or a full-fledged crew cab. The 454 was almost standard equipment by the number of them out west.
I see this truck is missing its A-C compressor. Good idea to have it; that Rat Motor won’t have any trouble turning it…