Some work vehicles dedicate their entire lifespan to the grind of driving and hauling. While others transition from factory-fresh work trucks to pristine showpieces. The 1970 GMC panel delivery in question has been a steadfast worker for most of its existence, albeit in diverse realms of industry and purpose.

Today, most SUVs are unibody crossovers equipped with small, fuel-efficient engines. But back in the 1990s, during the heyday of General Motors' GMT400 body-on-frame truck and SUV platform, things were done differently. Both Chevrolet and GMC offered their own versions of the heavy-duty 3/4-ton Suburban 2500 with an optional 454ci big-block engine. This was no four-cylinder pushover or six-cylinder commuter — it was the 7.4L V8-powered beast Motor Trend magazine called "the king of towing." And in addition to its towing capacity, it was big enough to carry the whole family in luxurious comfort.

Automotive history reveals that GMC named the Jimmy - the upscale offering of the Chevrolet Blazer - to sound like its much smaller competitor, the AMC Jeep. The Jeep, the International Harvester Scout, and the Ford Bronco (in order of manufacture) originated the breed of small, sporty Jeep sized 4x4 sport utility vehicles (SUVs). 

If you're a General Motors short Stepside classic truck owner, you may already know the subtle differences between these 1954-1987 Chevy truck beds and GMC truck beds. However, if you're new to ownership of a GM short-bed Stepside, this article serves to detail the differences to help you find the truck bed parts you need. If your classic Chevy truck bed is in rough shape, you can purchase some new reproduction bedside panels from Classic Industries for your pickup. You might also be able to find a used truck bed in a salvage yard that's in better nick than yours, or buy new old stock (NOS) parts through an online auction site. No matter which path you take to restore your truck, knowing how to identify the different era Chevy truck beds is an essential first step.

The sort of vehicles that we get exposed to in our upbringing can influence the kind of cars and trucks that we wish to own later in life. If the vehicle is old enough (and the car's would-be caretaker has sufficient spending cash), it could be the sort of car/truck that an auto enthusiast wishes to purchase as a project vehicle to maintain (if it's running), renovate, or resto-mod. The various forms of media — radio, TV, movies, the internet, video games, etc. — all can contribute in a big way to this sort of automotive exposure and influence. Today, we'll discuss a few of our favorite American classic cars from movies and TV shows.

With its quad headlamps and distinctive crosshair-shaped grill, the 1967-72 GMC pickup truck diverges slightly from the appearance of its more-common Chevy sibling. These trucks exude classic style, even today, making them a popular choice for restoration projects.

Last week on The Parking Lot, we featured a beautiful 1969 Chevy C10 owned by Darin Smith of local restoration and performance shop DWS Classics. That truck was rescued from the desert and painstakingly rebuilt from the ground up. This week, we have another one of DWS Classics' creations: a 1964 GMC shortbed.

Like Darin's other truck, this GMC was found baking in the desert sun, and was purchased to undergo a full restoration. Fortunately, due to the low moisture of its surroundings, the truck stayed mostly rust-free. Darin stripped it down to the bare frame, and began a frame-off build.

Here at Classic Industries, we're privileged to get to see all kinds of beautiful classic cars on a daily basis, from pristine restorations to custom cruisers and hot rods. However, every so often, something comes along that leaves us simply awestruck. Just when you think you've seen it all, something like this 1947 GMC COE pickup pulls into the parking lot.

Trucks have changed a lot in the last few decades. These days, pickups have become more luxurious and technologically-advanced than ever before, with in-dash navigation screens, surround sound, leather upholstery, twin-turbocharging, direct injection, and flashy 20-inch wheels. However, not long ago, there was a time when trucks fit a much simpler formula: a big carbureted V8, high ground clearance, a utilitarian aesthetic, and near-indestructible reliability. This '77 GMC long-bed reminds us of the time when trucks were simple, and built to work hard.