350-Powered 1950 GMC 1-Ton Panel Truck

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

GMC’s line of panel trucks in the late 1940s and early 1950s offered rugged utility, clean styling, and a fully enclosed cargo bay ideal for tradespeople, delivery services, or anyone needing secure storage on the road. With smooth, windowless body sides, and double rear doors, these panel models have since become highly collectible—both for their vintage aesthetic and for their adaptability to modernized mechanical upgrades.

This 1950 GMC Panel Truck received a frame‑off refurbishment by a shop in California, during which the body was returned to factory‑correct specifications. However, underneath the classic appearance, the truck benefits from mechanical modernization, including a carbureted 350ci Chevrolet V8, a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission with shift kit, coilover front and rear suspension, and power rack‑and‑pinion steering.

Finished in green over brown interior, the cabin is complemented by custom Western‑themed paneling adorned with authentic leather accents—many crafted from genuine cowboy chaps—along with wood trim throughout. Much of the decorative jewelry is said to be Navajo, including the hanging pottery piece in the cab, adding to the Western-inspired character. The firearms shown are reported to be non‑functional display pieces, with the exception of an incomplete rifle mounted in the rear.

An under-dash air conditioning system has also been added to the truck.

This modified 1950 GMC Panel Truck is now offered at no reserve with a binder of refurbishment documentation, boxes of spare parts, and a clean Arkansas title in the seller’s name.

Highlights

• Frame‑off refurbishment performed in California around 1996

• Powered by a Weber carbureted 350ci small‑block V8

• 4-speed 700R4 automatic transmission with shift kit

• Finished in green over a custom brown vinyl bench seat, leather paneling, and wood accents

• Power rack‑and‑pinion steering

• Front and rear coilover suspension

• Air conditioning

• The chassis number (A228510983) decodes as:

  • A –1950 model year

  • 22 – 228ci inline‑six engine

  • 85 – 280‑series, 1‑ton and special‑duty panel/delivery chassis

  • 10983 – Sequential production number

Factory Equipment

• Two‑door cargo panel body with rear double doors

• Steel bodywork with body‑on‑frame construction

• GMC‑specific front fascia and trim

Modifications

• Powertrain & Drivetrain:

  • Chevrolet 350ci V8

  • Offenhauser finned valve covers

  • Edelbrock air cleaner assembly

  • Weber carburetor

  • Alternator

  • 4-speed 700R4 automatic transmission with shift kit

  • Independent front suspension with coilovers

  • Four‑link/panhard rod rear suspension with coilovers

  • Power rack‑and‑pinion steering

• Exterior:

  • Paint‑protection film on running boards

  • Sylvania Ultra headlight bulbs

  • Powder‑coated wheels

  • Brake light modulator

  • Trailer wiring harness

  • Radiator overflow can

  • 1937 Ford taillights

  • Vintage fog lights

  • Bumper guards

  • Trailer hitch

• Interior:

  • Western/cowboy-themed leather paneling with wood accents

  • Aftermarket steering wheel with custom horn button

  • Bench seat re-trimmed in brown vinyl

  • Electric door locks

  • Under-dash air conditioning system

Servicing & Documentation

The items below represent documented service highlights supported by available invoices and partial service records (additional refurbishment documentation included with the sale). Work performed includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• 2026:

  • Battery replaced

• 2018:

  • Four steel wheels refinished at Industrial Powder Coating in Mountain Home, Arkansas

  • Four Cooper Cobra radial tires installed at Plumlee Tire in Mountain Home, Arkansas

• 2016:

  • Seat repair and reinforcement at RC’s Quality Upholstery in Mountain Home, Arkansas

Known Imperfections

From the seller’s mechanic: “The trouble with the door latches is that the original builder installed the wrong bear claw latches, which required electric solenoids not only for locking but also for unlatching from the outside handles. This resulted in a complex and unreliable setup.

The correct Altman bear claw latches would work with the original outside handles and eliminate the unlatch solenoid and extra rigging but changing them would likely require minor paint touch‑up. As it stands, the driver’s door does not reliably unlatch from the outside, though the inside latch works correctly. The passenger door currently functions properly from both inside and outside.”

• Driver’s door handle mechanism is described as “a little fussy”

• Cosmetic imperfections consistent with use since restoration

Ownership History

From the seller: “The truck underwent its full frame‑off restoration in California before we acquired it. The drivetrain was fully modernized while the body was returned to stock specs. It has been extremely reliable—it was driven it from California to Arkansas without issue—and it rides and handles like a modern vehicle.”

Included

• Binder with build documentation, parts lists, and notes

• Spare parts (see photo gallery for details)