GMC 100
GMC's "New Design" half-ton — Chevrolet's Advance Design pickup under GMC badging and its own model numbers.
Built alongside the Chevrolet Advance Design trucks on the same basic chassis and cab, GMC marketed its version as the "New Design" line with its own model-number scheme — the 100 was the half-ton, with 150 and 250 covering heavier ratings. GMC trucks of this era are less commonly seen than their Chevrolet siblings today, which appeals to collectors who want the same classic styling with a rarer badge.
History
GMC's New Design trucks ran from June 1947 through March 1955, the same production window as Chevrolet's Advance Design, sharing cab structure and major sheet metal while carrying GMC-specific grilles, badging, and — notably — GMC's own inline-six engines rather than Chevrolet's, a genuine mechanical difference beneath the shared bodywork.
GMC's traditional positioning as the more upscale, better-equipped counterpart to Chevrolet trucks (the same dynamic seen in the later Action Line Suburban) meant the 100 series often carried slightly higher trim and equipment levels than an equivalent Chevrolet 3100, despite the largely shared design.
Notable Versions
1954–55 One-Piece Windshield
Like the Chevrolet equivalent, the final New Design years gained a curved one-piece windshield in place of the earlier two-piece flat design.
5-Window Cab
Rear-quarter-window cab option offering better visibility, more desirable to collectors than the standard 3-window cab.
What to Look for When Buying
Key inspection points from experienced collectors.
Confirm the engine is genuinely GMC, not a later Chevrolet swap
GMC's inline-six is mechanically distinct from Chevrolet's of the same era; a numbers-correct GMC engine is a real originality point for value-focused buyers.
Rust patterns mirror the Chevrolet 3100
Cab corners, rocker panels, and wood/steel bed floors need the same close inspection as the more common Chevrolet version.
Parts availability is more limited than for the Chevrolet equivalent
GMC-specific trim, badging, and engine parts are harder to source than the far more commonly restored Chevrolet 3100 — budget more time for sourcing.
Quick Specs
- Engine
- GMC-specific 228–248 cu in I6 (distinct from Chevrolet's inline-six)
- Horsepower
- 90–100 hp (varies by year)
- Wheelbase
- 116 in
- Payload
- ~1,000 lbs (half-ton rating)
- Transmission
- 3-spd or 4-spd manual
- Brakes
- Hydraulic drum, 4-wheel
Market Price Guide
Approximate USA asking prices
Shop Parts
Find GMC 100 parts on eBay
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Bring These to Your Inspection
A few inexpensive tools that catch what a walk-around alone won't
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Compression Tester Kit
Checks cylinder compression to catch worn rings or valve issues before you buy.
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OBD2 Code Reader
Reads check-engine codes the seller may not have mentioned — plug in before you even pop the hood.
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Magnetic Paint Thickness Tester
A magnet pulls weaker over filler/bondo than bare metal — a quick way to spot hidden bodywork.
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Telescoping Inspection Mirror & Light Set
See up into wheel wells and behind components without crawling underneath.
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GMC 100 For Sale
2 listings currently available
