Patina Lovers! 1947 GMC EC-102 Pickup
Deciding which path to follow with a project build can be challenging, especially for a candidate like this 1947 GMC EC-102 Pickup. It wears a consistent coat of surface corrosion, but its solid nature makes it a prime candidate for a faithful restoration or custom build. Alternatively, its new owner could choose preservation, allowing it to display its survivor badge proudly. Regardless of your path, the Pickup is listed here on eBay in Fredericksburg, Texas. The seller set their price at $25,000 but leaves the option for interested parties to make an offer. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder, Mr Tinwoodie, for spotting this beauty.
I’ve spent considerable time examining the photos of this Pickup. It isn’t because I was searching for faults but because I genuinely like it. I admit there was a time when I would have largely ignored it, but I now understand the versatility and attraction of these classics. The exterior retains some of its original Seacrest Green paint, although much of it has been consumed by surface corrosion. However, there is no evidence of significant penetrating rust in prone areas like the lower cab corners. The panels have a few scars and marks, but these are repairable. Stripping the exterior to bare metal as part of a restoration or custom build should be straightforward, but preserving its existing character is a valid approach. The seller restored the wheels and fitted wide whitewalls to add a classy touch. The trim looks acceptable for a survivor-grade vehicle, as does the glass.
The engine bay makes a positive impression, with this classic’s 228ci six looking spotless. It is unclear whether it received a rebuild or if someone detailed it thoroughly. GMC’s 228ci engine produces 100hp and 182 ft/lbs of torque, which feeds through a four-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels. The gearing means this isn’t the ideal open-road tourer, but it shouldn’t raise a sweat carting its full ½-ton payload. The seller claims it has a genuine 26,566 miles on its odometer but fails to mention supporting evidence. They also supply no information on how it runs or drives, although its overall condition suggests we can be cautiously optimistic.
The interior is complete and unmolested, and you can be sure that potential buyers in colder climates will look favorably at the factory heater hanging under the dash. It is the only luxury appointment, but that is fitting in a vehicle designed as a workhorse. Someone has commenced improving the interior, with a new cover on the seat and a new rubber mat on the floor. The painted surfaces carry similar corrosion to the exterior and are prime candidates for a cosmetic refresh. The wheel is cracked, but modern restoration kits retail for around $50 to return it to its former glory. If the winning bidder lives in a warm climate, they could ignore the heater and crank out the windshield for genuine flow-through ventilation.
At the risk of boring you, I’ll provide some insight into what I would do with this 1947 GMC EC-102 Pickup if it were in my workshop. I would treat and seal the surface corrosion to prevent further deterioration but retain its existing appearance to preserve its inherent character. The drivetrain could stay as it is, but I’d refresh the interior painted surfaces and wheel to achieve an as-new appearance. The contrast between that and the exterior would undoubtedly draw comments and attention and make this a distinctive classic. Do you agree, or do you see a different future for this promising Pickup?
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Comments
My thought on this guy is all that chrome and sculpting on that body would sure look good with a coat of original color paint.
Adam, this is a great find for someone with the simolas to do it up right but we BF readers are puzzled-where’s the 1/4 mile stats??!?! 😁 Seriously, this is a great looking truck for its age!
Absolutely right, bobhess-but drive it now then clean it up this winter.
That will work.
Although not normally a fan of “patina” this truck sure wears it well. Engine hopefully rebuilt and the under hood looks very presentable.
I think I “might” paint the dash and steering column [and repair the steering wheel] but other than that…
I don’t mind the patina. But the whitewall tires, I think, are incongruous–perhaps even a bit ridiculous–on a truck designed for grunt work.
I own a 1946 GMC pickup. It’s a 3/4 ton without patina but otherwise identical to this one.The vehicle identification plate on my truck specifies the horsepower as being 85, not 100, as the description claims. In either case, these vehicles aren’t highway cruisers; they weren’t conceived to be. Indeed, their era knew no high-speed, limited-access highways (yeah, I’m old enough to remember when exceeding 50 mph was considered reckless).
In the years before our interstate system was built, the pace of life was far less frenetic than it is now. My truck cruises leisurely at 45 mph, which is more than enough speed over the town roads that I keep to.
I had a 47 but a Chevy. Chopped 3′, 350, t350, ifs. This is the one I shouldn’t have sold.
Does anybody know what those brackets are on both rear fenders? Looks like they were designed to carry something but never seen them before.
I believe they kept the fender from flapping. Most had a “stay rod” or brace under the fender.
I used to own this truck. I purchased it in 2014 from the original owner who lived in the western Kansas Eastern Colorado area. It spend its whole life on a farm there it was used exclusively on the farm and for making runs to the train station to pick up supplies. The engine was stuck from sitting when I purchased it but with patience it freed up, It looks like its been worked on since I had it. I put wide whites on it, recovered the bench seat and drove it here locally in CT. There is absolutely no rust through anywhere, only the patina rust. There was 6 inches of dry dirt in each door panel that when vacuumed out left the original perfect paint. I was amazed. The rear bumper is something I’ve seen on that period truck to make a more substantial bumper and reinforce the fenders. Its a fantastic truck that should left just as it it. I wish I didn’t sell it, which was half the present asking price. I hope someone buys it and keeps just as it is
I’d ditch the wide whites and go blackwalls wide whites don’t belong on farm trucks imo.I’d paint it back it’s original color. Too much rust patina for me.I myself like patina but when it’s down to the primer under neath the paint not rust like this one imo.Cool truck .glwts.
It reminds me of an old truck my cousin and I used to chase jack rabbits in the Texas panhandle outside of Childress prior to 1952. It took out a few fence posts along the way.
I’m surprised no one has commented on the price. My high-school car was the Chevy version of this truck. There was NOTHING about my truck that makes me interested in this one, especially at the asking price. (Lots of cars from my past that I could wish to have back. This is not one of them.)
Here is a view of my HS car, from the 50’s…
Oh for crying out loud, paint this truck, give it some luster. It’s no longer a work truck, those days are long gone. It’s now a antique, and deserves the best treatment it can get. It has so much potential as a show truck with original drivetrain. Okay, not a trailer queen, but with limited use in shows and parades and perhaps neighborhood drives to keep it in good running condition.
God Bless America
Love this pickup. Just spruce her up a bit…. some sanding, a good paint job, and then just drive and enjoy…. it’s no longer a work truck, it’s just something to enjoy and think about those good ol days
I like what I see; it could become a welcome part of my collection. Well I can at least dream. Not a lot of these around compared to a Chevy. Whoever gets it, fix it up. They look so much better fixed. Remember the old Indian word, “Patina.”
Any truth to the story that “GMC” stands for “General Motors Corporation” unless it’s on a truck…Then it stands for “Grabowsky Motors Corporation”? Story goes that when Billy Durant was forming General Motors he bought a truck company that the Grabowsky brothers started in 1900. Part of the deal to make the sale was that “GMC” always had to stand for “Grabowsky Motors Corp”
This is where Brillo, Scotch Brite and S.O S. become my friend before sand paper and primer are even considered! Very solid looking and complete. Especially the engine compartment. Pricey though and I might go 15,000 or around that. Tops of 17,500.
Henry David, GMC was always somewhat of a controversy. It was the topic of many discussions during my days with the General. “Grabowski Motor Carriage” is the most accurate to my knowledge. Some have argued “Grabowski Motor Carrier.” But my money is on “Carriage.” When GM started to build buses “General Motor Coach” became the ID, but that was 20 years later. One thing you can count on is that General Motors Corporation is one of the latest versions but IMO it’s the least accurate. Anyways, that’s my version…