1978 GMC C1500 Sierra Grande Pickup

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Out of a combination of a lifelong automotive passion and an unyielding desire to support the people of his Alabama community, the Generous Collection was born. Mr. Greg Rusk, a successful business leader in the cardboard industry, with a big heart for helping families and friends in times of need, would regularly pay overly generous fees to acquire an interesting vehicle. After decades of collecting and supporting local automotive enthusiasts, the Rusk family is ready for these vehicles, each with their own story, to write their next chapter back on the road, where they belong.

The Generous Collection returns with Part 2 offering over 250 cars in August all offered without reserve, emerging from years of long-term silent storage. From the quiet shadows of the Generous Collection to the sunshine of backroads and highways, enthusiasts now have the opportunity to own a piece of a generous car-collecting legacy.

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The 1978 GMC C1500 Sierra Grande is a member of General Motors’ “square body” era, a design that would define full-size pickups for over a decade. Riding on GM's C/K platform, the C1500 designation indicated a half-ton, two-wheel-drive configuration.

Under the hood, buyers could select from a range of proven small-block and big-block V8 engines, including the popular 305 V8 found on this C1500, paired with either a durable three-speed manual or in this truck the smooth-shifting Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission.

The Sierra Grande trim elevated the package further, adding upgraded upholstery, additional sound insulation, brightwork trim, and a more refined dashboard—bringing genuine comfort to a vehicle built for hard work.

This 1978 Sierra Grande has been lowered, and also updated with a Holley carburetor, auxiliary gauges, aftermarket hood and grille, and more.

This 1978 GMC C1500 Sierra Grande is now represented at no reserve by a Broad Arrow Specialist with a CARFAX Vehicle History Report and a clean Alabama title in the current owner's name.

Highlights

• Offered from The Generous Collection

• Rear-wheel drive 1/2-ton model

• 305ci V8 engine

• 3-speed automatic transmission

Factory Equipment

• Typical Sierra Grande standard features included:

  • Sierra Grande badging and chrome brightwork on the grille, bumpers, and body trim

  • Bright (chrome) grille and headlight bezels

  • Additional exterior chrome moldings not found on base Sierra trucks

  • Color-coordinated vinyl upholstery, with cloth optional

  • Wood-grain accent trim on the door panels and dash

  • Additional interior insulation and sound deadening for a quieter cabin

  • Upgraded door panels with brighter trim

  • Deluxe steering wheel

  • Improved seat padding over base-trim bench seats

  • Additional bright trim around interior controls and gauges

• The chassis number (TCU148A507258) decodes as:

  • T – GMC Division

  • C – 2-Wheel Drive chassis (C-series)

  • U – 305 cu in (5.0L) V8 engine

  • 1 – 1/2-ton series GMC "15" line (C1500)

  • 4 – Pickup body style

  • 8 – 1978 model year

  • A – Lakewood, Georgia assembly plant

  • 507258 – Sequential production serial number

Modifications

• Holley carburetor

• Auxiliary gauges

• Lowered

• Aftermarket grille

• Bedliner

• Chrome alternator

• Cowl hood

• Exhaust through rear bumper

Known Imperfections

• While reasonable efforts were made during preparation for the sale, due to the volume of vehicles in this collection, it was not possible to diagnose or detect all imperfections present. Please refer to the photo gallery.

• Missing driver side outside mirror

Ownership History

This 1978 GMC C1500 Sierra Grande is offered from The Generous Collection of no-reserve automobiles.

Additional Information

Motor vehicles older than 35 years (1991) are exempt from Alabama’s titling requirements. In states that issue titles, an Alabama registration converts to a title upon transfer.

A Broad Arrow Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the seller of this listing. As such, the purchase transaction will be facilitated by Broad Arrow, including vehicle payment, applicable taxes required to be collected by the seller or Broad Arrow, and title/ownership reassignment. Broad Arrow is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hagerty.

Contact: Matt Lowney   Phone: 623.308.2640   Email: mlowney@hagerty.com

Please note that all lots in The Generous Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation or service, in warehouse facilities. The seller endeavored to provide very limited mechanical servicing to bring some cars back to running potential; however, not all cars will be running at time of sale. Because of the extended static display, it must be assumed that all cars will require extensive additional mechanical attention before being driven safely and, in most cases, cleaning both the interiors and exteriors. All the cars will have imperfections associated with long-term static storage and require extensive sorting to perform best and safely. The burden of determining a car’s status, both mechanical and cosmetic, rests fully on the bidder, prior to bidding and the close of the auction. All lots are sold as is, where is.  

Additionally, due to the location of the collection and limited access to the facility following the close of the auction, all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite, between the hours of 9AM to 6PM local time beginning Monday, September 14 through Wednesday, September 30. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 14, and any lots remaining after September 30 will be re-located outside in the parking lot for retrieval by their buyers.