New Sierra Marks 111 Years of GMC Pickup Heritage

[ne_one]

New Sierra Marks 111 Years of GMC Pickup Heritage
GM
December 12, 2012

The all-new 2014 GMC Sierra fullsize pickup will be the latest in a bloodline that stretches back over a century. The first truck to wear a GMC badge debuted in 1912, while a predecessor from the Max Grabowsky’s Rapid Motor Vehicle Co. was the first commercial truck operated in the City of Detroit 10 years earlier.

Here’s a list of highlights by decade, accompanied by a corresponding photo of each.

• 1900s: The first Rapid truck – little more than a seat, an engine cover and a frame – was delivered in 1902.
• 1910s: The GMC name takes its place on a truck grille for the first time in 1912 and the mix of trucks offered had either upright front ends or curved “French” fronts.
• 1920s: 1927 was a milestone for design features with more stylized fenders, headlights attached to the radiator, and the first chrome-plated radiator surround.
• 1930s: Streamlining in the ‘30s added sloped grilles, more paint color options and passenger cabs inspired by car design trends, which helped expand the truck market.
• 1940s: Following the war, GMCs of the late ‘40s featured fully integrated headlights for the first time, as well as wider, lower, and bolder grilles.
• 1950s: Cars again influenced truck design in the ‘50s, resulting in more safety, comfort and performance. 1955 highlights were hooded headlights and panoramic glass.
• 1960s: The first GMC pickup with a full-width hood debuted in 1960. Other design cues included “jet pod” grilles at the front and a pinched-waist body crease on each side.
• 1970s: Padded materials replaced many metal interior surfaces in the ‘70s. Heavy duty models offered a dual rear axle for the first time and the Crew Cab debuted.
• 1980s: In 1987, the Sierra name became standard for all full-size pickups with the introduction of a new, more aerodynamic generation of GMC trucks.
• 1990s: The ‘90s brought the first rear-hinged three-door Extended Cab model. In 1999, new generation of truck introduced the first use of frame hydroforming.
• 2000s: The new millennium brought the “D” decade: The first Duramax diesel engine for Sierra HD added capability and the first Denali pickup set a luxury standard for trucks.
• 2012: The new 2014 Sierra debuts on December 13.

Images available at link.

[bmwboy2007]

1962 was very popular in its day

[C/K Man]

And they didn't even mention the 305 cubic inch V-6 that debuted in 1960. That was the first domestic V-6 engine ever produced.

[Bvonscott]

Can you believe its been over a 100 years. Thats awesome GM. Incredible amount of history there. Many many lives have involed a GMC pickup. I'm proud to be one of those people.










I think someone needs to let FOD know you cant deny this is true history, from GM themselves. GMC made GM's original trucks. Lol.

[RedVee8]

How long or Chevy Trucks?

[Butz]

It should be today (tomorrow in the eastern hemisphere).

[SCCA1995]

How long or Chevy Trucks?

Chevrolet's own marketing department says that they are celebrating 95 years in 2012 (I think that goes for 2012 models). By that logic, GMC as a brand is celebrating 100 years in 2012. That gives GMC a 5 year lead.

[Benjiwah]

I think this kind of answers the speculation about what the acronym of GMC stands for. Also, I think this should quell the chatter about how GMC shouldn't exist...Nonsense! I hope they never bury such a historic icon!

[JBsZ06]

That 62 is slick

[lio45]

A little nitpick, they make it sound like the "first" diesel engine came in the 2000s, while in fact diesel engines have been available in these trucks since 1978 and throughout the 1980s and 1990s with no model year exception... I'm sure they're aware of that, it's just the way it's written (focusing on the Duramax).

[88Fiero]

I think this kind of answers the speculation about what the acronym of GMC stands for. Also, I think this should quell the chatter about how GMC shouldn't exist...Nonsense! I hope they never bury such a historic icon!

July 22, 1911 General Motors Truck Company was "officially" formed and GMC started appearing on the trucks. Rapid & Reliance truck companys owned by General Motors Co. evolved to GMC. Rapid built the first truck in 1902.

[88Fiero]

A little nitpick, they make it sound like the "first" diesel engine came in the 2000s, while in fact diesel engines have been available in these trucks since 1978 and throughout the 1980s and 1990s with no model year exception... I'm sure they're aware of that, it's just the way it's written (focusing on the Duramax).

GMC introduced 3 diesel engines in 1952

[88Fiero]

And they didn't even mention the 305 cubic inch V-6 that debuted in 1960. That was the first domestic V-6 engine ever produced.

The engine was one of the best engines and set a lot of durability records.

[SDRacing]

That 62 is slick

Looks more like a 57' ?

[skylark68]

Great history.

My favorite is still the '72 in Sierra Grande trim. Next favorite are the '73 and '74 Sierra Grandes. Too bad those are so hard to find nowadays. Most of the rusted out pretty quickly. I like those first 2 years of that body mainly due to the grill and the emblems (huge rectangles!).