Franklin Mint 1950 GMC 150 Pickup

[THarrison351]

The 1950 GMC truck is a slightly bigger, more powerful and stronger version of the 1950 Chevrolet truck. The GMC and Chevrolet trucks shared identical transmissions, suspension and bodies, but the GMC featured a thicker frame and larger engine. Chevy pickups shared its engines with General Motors’ automotive lines. GMC had specially manufactured truck engines. Although GMC and Chevrolet shared most of the same sheet metal, GMCs had a distinctive grille, tailgate, hubcaps and exterior colors. The 1950 GMC base engine for the half-ton pickup was the 228-cubic-inch in-line six-cylinder. In contrast, the base Chevrolet model featured the smaller 216.5-cubic-inch straight-six. The 93-horsepower 228 had a 3.6-inch cylinder bore and a 3.8-inch stroke. The 228’s compression ratio was 8-to-1. The optional 110-horsepower 248 straight-six had a 3.7-inch bore and 3.8-inch stroke and 7.5-1 compression. The biggest powerplant available on the GMC truck was the 115-horsepower 270 six-cylinder with a 3.7-inch bore and 4-inch stroke. The 270’s compression ratio was 7.5-to-1. Canadian versions of the 1950 GMC truck were equipped with Chevrolet’s 216 straight-six with 228 and 248 available as options. Another significant difference between the GMC and Chevy models was that the GMC used a six-volt positive ground electrical system, while Chevrolet was equipped with a six-volt negative ground system. Like its Chevy sibling, the GMC pickup included the half-ton, three-quarter ton and 1-ton models. The Chevys featured wheelbase of 116, 125.25 and 137 inches, while the GMC wheelbases were two inches longer for each of the three models to accommodate the larger engines. Body dimensions, however, were identical with the cargo boxes measuring 50 inches wide and 78, 87 or 108 inches long. The 1.5-ton and larger GMC stake bed and flatbed trucks rode on either a 137-inch wheelbase with a 105.5-inch bed and 9-foot total length or a 161-inch wheelbase with 148-inch bed and a 12-foot total length. All GMC trucks featured all-wheel drum brakes, a forged steel I-beam front axle and hypoid single reduction full floating rear axle. The rear suspension featured steel leaf springs with the front and rear both equipped with tubular shock absorbers. A three- or four-speed manual transmission matched the engines. The four-speed was optional on the half-ton and three-quarter ton models and standard on the 1-ton and larger versions. For 1950, General Motors engineers abandoned the process of bolting together the cab and welded the cab to minimize road noise and vibrations caused by the stiff frame. The cab also rode on the frame cushioned with a three-point suspension system for a smooth ride. The gross vehicle weight rating ranged from the half-ton’s 4,100 lbs. to the 3-ton’s 26,000-lb. rating.  (ROB WAGNER)

The 1950 GMC Long bed Pickup.  Known for truck-like ruggedness and auto-like comfort, "Jimmy" light trucks were at home on the job or on the range.  All this was wrapped in modern styling that was to serve this handsome truck for seven years.
Franklin Mint's version of this truck boasts all the features we look for, working suspension, fully detailed engine and undercarriage, a drop-down tailgate, and a wood-lined bed.  All chromed parts are flawless (the windshield wipers alone are works-of-art), as is the glossy, red paint job.  But this is merely where the fun begins.  FM has included a ?-ton's worth of extras: two sets of side rails, four fence posts, two hay bales, and a lantern.  As if these weren't enough, there's a saddle and lasso (really!), a bedroll, and a cowboy hat with removable band.  Oh.  Don't forget the jug of whiskey(!?)  Had enough?  Well, don't cry uncle yet.  Also included are stick-on 1950 license plates and a reproduction 1950 dealer's brochure (full size).  (Tom Pine)

Well, that's a bit of information about the real truck and the review of the diecast a few years after it was released in 1999. Mine came only with the two pairs of side rails, two heavy resin hay bales, and all the paperwork. That sales brochure is neat! And a broken mirror from poor packaging. That was an easy fix. This was a happy accident. I've wanted a GMC pickup, well since I've started collecting Mint vehicles. The problem is they're either too expensive or too busted up. I know I could have gotten a busted one and canned from a Chevy, but by the time you've purchased two with shipping, you could have bought a good one to start with. So I waited, and this popped up with a $30 buy it now and it was in the state and that meant cheap shipping too! I've seen worse sell for triple! Now granted the Franklin Mint 1950 GMC is not as robust with detail as the Danbury Mint 1953 GMC, but it has a flip up gas cap!

Pictures

Flip up gas cap

I think they forgot the parking light/turn signal lens. There not in any pictures I've found on line.

Houston, we have a problem. That spare tire wheel is, is, just wrong. It's the backside of the wheel center, and no holes for the lug nuts or hub.

The other set of side rails

[Gramps46]

Oh yes!  That GMC is just super.  I am not sure I should be thanking you for posting it along with the background material because it is very tempting.  And I sure do not need any more temptations.  ?

[randyc]

NICE!  I have the limited black one that a buddy found for $8 (!) at a consignment shop, no box, papres, accessories.   I also have a Junker green chevy that I needed to fix the GMC with.  That burgundy is beautiful.   I grew up with a green Chevy at my grandpa's farm so it seems like I see more green real ones than any other color.  

I didn't realize that both Mints did a GMC.  I'm not even sure which one mine is?  it's the black one.  LOL.

And thanks for the history lesson.  These were called "Advanced Engineering" or something like that?  Looked it up - Chevy was Advanced Design; GMC was New Design

[1959scudetto]

Really nice truck, Tim  for this price, you can't do wrong.

[vincen47]

Thanks for the backstory. Like the other posts, now I’m interested in getting one.

[THarrison351]

Thanks for the replies! Before acquiring this, I had no idea the GMC and Chevy were that different, but looked so alike.

[Tom Geiger]

I have a Shawn Carpenter trans kit to turn the AMT 50 Chevy pickup into a GMC.   It's just the grille and tail gate.  I understand the difference in engine, but where is the 2" extra inches?  Obviously it's because of the engine but was the firewall moved further into the passenger compartment? or is the hood / fenders longer and won't interchange?   I'm thinking the first option since it was mentioned that the two trucks were the same length.