In the world of square bodies, it is rare to find anything approaching a deal these days. Put simply, too many owners and enthusiasts know that there is tremendous demand for these vehicles and as such, you can charge a fairly decent amount for a rust-free project. But when it comes to perceptions versus reality, there’s a different mindset that can work to the advantage of someone simply looking for an entry-level project: the owner who always treated their old Jimmy or K5 Blazer like the workhorse that it was meant to be, as opposed to a future candidate for Barrett-Jackson. Find this 1979 GMC Jimmy listed here on craigslist for $2,000 in Texas.

Another tidbit I’ve picked up on when looking for a vintage SUV is that guys who used a vehicle as a hunting rig or the truck they left on the camp year after year for driving out to their blinds generally have very low expectations when it comes time to sell. Of course, the trucks have been used and abused accordingly, and if it’s in the sort of condition where you don’t give much concern to leaving it outside year after year, potentially with doors open and windows down, well – plan accordingly when it comes time to gut the interior. The seller’s Jimmy doesn’t appear to be missing any body panels but it’s certainly not mint inside.

But it’s a Texas truck, thankfully, so the dry climate has likely worked in its favor despite years of outdoor storage. The seller doesn’t recall much about the truck, including whether it comes with a title, and is selling it as-is, where-is, for a firm price, so you may have to be comfortable with some unknowns if you go to purchase it. While it looks rough in photos, most of what you see is merely superficial, with some mismatched body panels, dry paint, and a sun-ravaged interior. The spare tire carrier is also missing. But if you got a tailgate that matched, installed new all-terrain tires, and resprayed the hood and the roof, you’d have a pretty decent looking truck.

The seller doesn’t tell us much about the running gear but does confirm the Jimmy has a 402 big block under the hood. Chevy used this motor in its trucks from ’68 t0 ’72, or thereabouts, and it’s a good mill that is known for its durability. It’s not ridiculously powerful but you can wake up a 402 with some basic modifications like an intake, headers, a hotter camshaft, and some basic tuning. Horsepower was around 240 out of the box, which certainly isn’t shabby. This Jimmy looks like it deserves a rescue – would you keep the patina or bring it back to showrooms new?