Daily Driver: 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Short Bed
Motoring enthusiasts, especially those passionate about classics, often find slipping behind the wheel of a nondescript daily driver is unpalatable. They crave something more interesting that reflects their desire for individuality. This 1972 GMC Sierra Grande could be the ideal solution. It is a tidy, solid classic with an iconic small-block under the hood. The seller claims it could function as a daily driver, and the photos don’t seem to contradict their belief. Its most pressing need is a new home, with the seller listing this Pickup here on Craigslist in Visalia, California. You could drive it home after handing over $17,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this beauty.
General Motors marketed its Second Generation C/K model range with both Chevrolet and GMC badges, and the differences were relatively minor. Our feature Pickup rolled off the line during the final year of Second Generation production as the range-topping Sierra Grande variant. The first owner ordered the vehicle in a striking color combination of Dark Green and White, providing a classy appearance accentuated by the Rally wheels. The seller does themselves no favors with the listing, supplying only five photos and limited information about this classic’s history. It presents well for its age, with the paint retaining a healthy shine. The panels are surprisingly straight for a vehicle of this type, although the top of the tailgate has a few repairable dents. The seller doesn’t mention any existing or previous rust issues. The climate in the Pickup’s current location is excellent for metal preservation, making it possible that it is rust-free. The trim is in good order, and the glass is crystal clear.
Buyers could choose from five engines to power their 1972 GMC Sierra, with this Pickup’s first owner selecting the iconic Chevrolet 350ci V8. The small-block should produce a healthy 250hp and 350 ft/lbs of torque, which is fed to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. The lone engine bay image reveals a few cosmetic enhancements, and I think an improved carburetor might be hiding below the Edelbrock air cleaner. However, the seller indicates the engine is original. The Pickup’s ride height has been dropped, which should improve handling. The vehicle runs and drives perfectly, with the seller claiming it could be a practical daily driver.
If I could ever give an owner a single piece of advice before they list their classic for sale, it would be to supply plenty of high-quality images. They can be the difference between a potential buyer taking the time to examine their advertisement or bypassing it due to a lack of visual appeal. That is what makes this GMC so frustrating. Opening the door to gain a clear interior shot would have been easy, but they chose to supply a photo clouded by reflections off the glass. The seat has a seam separation on the back, but the Green cloth and vinyl cover seems free of significant wear. There is a sports wheel, and some aftermarket gauges, but nothing more can be determined unless the seller is approachable. They might provide further information or allow an in-person inspection, which would unearth the truth about the interior.
Pickups offer owners versatility that is almost unparalleled. Range-topping models like the 1972 GMC Sierra Grande provide a touch of class and comfort while the bed leaves scope to haul heavy loads. The seller claims this classic could be an excellent daily driver, and I see nothing in the supplied photos suggesting otherwise. I always encourage an in-person inspection before spending money on what is, after all, a luxury purchase. If that process reveals no problems, this beauty could be a winner.
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Comments
This truck is a nice Cheyenne Super/Sierra Grande tribute.
Although not off the assembly line as a high trim level truck, it looks nice in the pictures.
Please make your ad corrections.
Growing up, my dad and two friends bought a working farm. There were orchards, sheep, and broiler chickens. They bought an almost new ’72 GMC pickup (former GM dealer parts delivery truck) for the farm manager. It was a base model, with 3-spd manual column shifter.
The thing I remember most is that it was a lemon. The Scottish farm manager often said “G.M.C. stands for Garage Man’s Companion”.
About 20 years later I spotted one in a junkyard. I thought it looked familiar…..then I saw the farm name still painted on the rusty doors.
For a brief time, with this series, GMC had it all – the style, a bit more attractive than its Chevrolet badge-clone; a beefed-up chassis (I am told; I never looked into it); a wider variety of engines (both SBCs and GMC’s proprietary truck V6s) and even the legacy (GMC was still in the heavy truck and bus game, back then).
It’s a shame that this body series only saw five years of production, and the less-attractive, not-that-sturdy “squarebody” design of 1973, saw over 15 years. This clean, timeless design would have been the one to run with for a 20-year production run.
That was a six year run. The last year for the big V-6 was 66 I believe.
Yes, six years – I forgot they came out in 1967.
No to the cancellation of the big V6. They continued to be offered, although not heavily advertised, through either 1973 or 1974. Not sure if they were offered across all pickup models.
At some point, I don’t know the date, the Chevrolet in-line six became available; but this was the heyday of the V8, and Chevrolet supplied available power from 1967 on.
But, according to Wikipedia, the GM V6 continued in production and in some truck models through 1974.
If I wanted a short box C-10 , this one would be near the top of the list. Not perfect, but checks a lot of the necessary boxes. I just bought a 73 Ford short box P/U, probably a little nicer than this one and I paid 20 K for it.
Not buying it – not a 1972 GMC Sierra Grande – it’s a want to be. Poor presentation – those headlight ring – yep they rust but you can do better.
And I own a 1972 GMC SG gifted to me by the man that ordered it new.
Pretty certain this isn’t a short bed. I believe it’s a standard 8 ft, which would be a standard long bed. Should also point out the poor fit on all the sheet metal on the cab, especially left door to fender down low. Rest of it’s not much better, the photos just aren’t good enough to show much. Looks like the chrome strip on the bed has screws going through it to hold it down. Truck ain’t no cherry in my opinion. I think it’s a well worn farm truck. Sorry.
It’s a short bed. Long beds have 3 “stake” hole on the top of the bed, short beds have 2, long beds that have been shortened also have 3, this truck has 2.
Not liking this ad, the pictures are what you would take if you saw a cool car/truck in a parking lot and took a handful of pictures, not the type of pictures you’d put in an ad.
Steve R
Looks Decent.
But certainly has a lot of room for improvement.
Agree 100% that sellers should include more photos.
& those photos should attempt to both show the “GOOD” & the “BAD” parts of the truck. (I’m much more confident with doing a long-distance or online purchase negotiation IF the Seller has disclosed the vehicle’s known issues and/or defects. I don’t expect “perfection”, I just don’t want any “surprises”!)
I couldn’t help but notice that there are no windshield wipers at all. No arms, no blades, just what appears to be the stubs poking up through the cowling.
& I have to somewhat disagree with your assessment about those dents on the tailgate. That tailgate sheetmetal is pretty damn THICK, so it is gonna be hard to get those dents out. It would be much easier to just source another (better) tailgate.
Truck also looks like there may be issues with windshield fit. It’s a fuzzy photo, but top right shows (pass side) shows a black irregularity in the last foot.
Truck is also missing parts. Heater suitcase appears to be for a air conditioned truck, but I don’t see a pump or hoses.
Price on the FOR SALE sign in the window is $17500.
SO I guess the noted “lowered price” of $17K in the Craig’sList listing is just $500 off. (…although it conceivably COULD HAVE been higher at some point in time.
Paint is rough.
Looks to be a pretty poor quality paint job.
BUT the paint IS doing the job of keeping the metal from getting all rusty (aka “Patina”??)< & it IS all one matching two-toned color scheme all around (no mix of different colored fenders, doors, hood, etc.), so I'll give it that credit!
Personally, I REALLY LIKE a pickup truck that is just nice enough to look presentable & catch the attention of a few admirers, BUT also just rough enough that you don't mind using it to haul stuff & you aren't afraid to take it anywhere. As in, "Is that a new scratch? or an old one that I haven't noticed before? Oh well, it adds a little character to the old girl!"
…
Pricewise this seems a little on the high side for the CA market.
The series of Chevy/GMC trucks PRIOR to this is drawing some good prices, & a '64 or '66 in similar condition would get this asking price EASILY.
But this '72 looks like it needs to be a few thousand less than what the seller is currently asking.
Then again, the 2025 1500 Silverado pricing starts at about $37K, & most decently equipped models sell for much more (up to $65K or more), so that makes $17K seem like a BARGAIN in comparison. :-)
Someone on the east coast (where most of these have long ago rusted to death!) needs to make a reasonable offer on this one, & try to convince the Seller that he needs a sizable price discount to cover the cross country shipping costs. Then fly out & drive it all the way home, taking time to see all the sights along the way! :-)
This does look solid and is one of those “enjoy now, restore later” vehicles. Besides the dents, the paint looks poorly applied. An in-person inspection is warranted here, and despite ’67-72 GM pickups being in very high demand, $17K is too steep for this one; $10k would be more reasonable.
I can’t see this selling anywhere close to the ask. Good luck seller.
Lack of pictures and not opening the door seems suspicious. Wrong price, short bed long bed
First off.. Any ad that says ” Available on Craigslist” is a red flag for me “JMO”. To many horror stories between sellers and buyers.
Lovely looking truck. My aunt and uncle had a 1971 GMC truck. I can’t remember now what the trim level was. But I know it was a 1970-72 GMC truck.