In 1975, the names changed again. The base model was now the Custom Deluxe (Chevrolet) and Sierra (GMC). The mid-range tier was the Scottsdale (Chevrolet) and Sierra Grande (GMC). The luxury trim was named the Cheyenne (Chevrolet) and High Sierra (GMC). The top-of-the-line luxury trucks became known as the Silverado (Chevrolet) and Sierra Classic (GMC). These were in place until 1981.
The Cheyenne Super was the top-of-the-line trim level in 1973 and 1974, and it showed. The badging on the fenders was the first sign of something special, and the two-tone paint job and interior trim stood out as well.
This truck hasn’t been restored, but it does have all of the Custom Deluxe original trim and materials, plus low mileage (less than 90,000). If you can get past the rust on the hood, trucks like this are perfect project vehicles.
In 1982, the lineup looked like this: Base model trucks were still the Custom Deluxe (Chevrolet) and Sierra (GMC). The mid-range tier was the Scottsdale (Chevrolet) and High Sierra (GMC), which was a name shift for the GMC line. There was no more luxury line (option code Z84), but the top-of-the-line luxury trim remained the Silverado (Chevrolet) and Sierra Classic (GMC). This was how the lineup looked until 1987, when the 1/2-ton trucks ended their run.
Base-model trucks had very little chrome on the exterior. There was no carpet; instead, it came with a rubber mat on the inside. The seats usually came in vinyl, although in 1982, custom or deluxe cloth became an option that you could buy at the dealer. There was also very little interior insulation, the door panels were wrapped in vinyl, there was no headliner, and the dashboard was a simple, black-trimmed model.
The mid-range model (Z62 option) was a base-model truck with a few added amenities. The exterior featured slightly more chrome, for example.
On the inside, the floor mat was now the same color as the rest of the interior, but was still not carpeted, except in certain rare cases. For upholstery, buyers could choose between “custom cloth” and “custom vinyl,” which you could also buy in the Z84 and YE9 models, but the Z62 models had some unique patterns and colors that you could only buy in those trim levels. There was also no headliner, just as in the base model; the insulation still was minimal; and the door panels featured slightly more trim, including chrome and wood grain.
The next two levels, Z84 and YE9, were both considered to be luxury models, and were close to each other in options. The Z84 had a deluxe molding package, plus a tailgate insert on the Fleetside bed models. An insulated headliner appeared on the interior for the first time, as did cut-pile carpeting. The door panels were now longer in appearance, with the addition of a map pocket at the base, and they also had either brushed-aluminum or wood-grain panel inserts. Finally, General Motors added insulators located at the hood and cab to the fender, which reduced noise. The Z84 option was available from 1973–1981 only, and was likely discontinued because of its similarity to the YE9.
The top-of-the-line trim level, YE9, took the truck to even higher luxury levels. In addition to the Z84 exterior trim, additional items were added to the truck.
In 1980, the V22 chrome grille/Deluxe front appearance package became standard, although other trim level models could have the package for a price. The interior of the YE9 trucks included the BC2 Deluxe instrument panel, which came in either wood grain or brushed aluminum, and it had full gauges all the way around rather than warning lights on the outer gauge spots. The rest of the interior was the same as that found in the Z84 trim until 1975.
From 1976 forward, carpet trim was added to the lower door panels, as was a grab handle. The kick panels also came in full vinyl.
Those four models were the primary optional trim levels, but other packages were available as well. For example, from 1976 to 1981, the 1/2-ton short-bed trucks in both product lines had a Z77 option, which was referred to as the Chevy Sport or GMC Street Coupe. This kit used the interior trim from the Z62, plus the V22 Deluxe front appearance option and BC2 Deluxe instrument cluster usually found on the YE9. They also included special rally wheels, the N67, which are difficult to find today and highly desirable as a result.
Another option is a bit more rare, depending on your perspective. These were the years of the truck wars, and because Chevrolet and Ford were competing for sales, they often offered year-end promotional packages. For Chevrolet, these were called the Bonanza; GMC called them the Royal Sierra. These trucks were usually set up with the Z62 trim level, but they came with standard carpeting as found on higher models. That promotion ran until 1980, and from 1981 to 1987, you could choose between the Z84 and YE9 interior packages.
Finally, let’s talk about the Canadian offering. If you happen to stumble upon a Chevrolet/GMC Wrangler, you’ve found a truck that was only available in Canada. If you’re building it in the United States, you definitely have a collectible, albeit common, vehicle. These trucks have unique paint schemes and exterior decals, both of which were never available in the United States, making them special.
One other interesting note about Squarebodies: From 1981 to 1987, you could walk into a Canadian dealership and order the 350-ci V-8 on a 1/2-ton two-wheel-drive truck. That wasn’t possible in the United States.
Chevrolet built several special edition trucks over the years, which are usually difficult to find. They celebrated all sorts of different events and themes and always sold in small runs. Finding information about them is difficult, as it involves digging through magazines from the 1970s. The following are a few examples.
The 1979 GMC Amarillo GT had special badging, custom wheels, and a 454 big-block engine, all in a 1/2-ton truck. It also included the Sierra Classic interior package, but with an additional CB radio.
The GMC Beau James edition had a tonneau cover; custom red, white, and blue “Beau James” stickers on the bed; and the Sierra Classic trim.
The 1979 Chevrolet Big 10 was a 1/2-ton short-bed Chevy with a 454 big-block V-8. This, and the Amarillo GT, were likely produced because of the upcoming emissions regulation changes put in place with the gas shortage of the 1970s.
GMC California Sundancers came in yellow with gray accents and two-tone blue pinstriping. They also had 15X7 Mag Sprinter Western wheels, tube bumpers, a roll bar, and a sunroof.
The 1975 GMC Gentleman Jim was painted in black with a gold strip in the center of the truck and gold accents inside the chrome trim. The dashboard and interior were color matched (a rarity for this time period), and it even came with an eight-track tape player and a CB radio.
The 1977 GMC Indy 500 Special came with custom paint and decals, including a multicolor eagle design that went from the bodyline downward and stood out against the silver paint. A total of 500 of these trucks were made. GM trucks were the official truck of the Indianapolis 500 12 times over the course of this body style’s run, so there are other variants of this special edition as well.
1975 GMC Indy 500 Special
One of the guys who I refer to in this book is Joe Yezzi, the owner of Squarebody Syndicate. In the course of writing this book, I discovered that he had a new restoration project that just had to be included.
It’s a 1975 Indy 500 GMC, which ran in the 1975 Indianapolis 500 (of course), carrying a huge steel bass drum in the bed. Joe found it in the state of Washington, sitting in an overgrown blackberry bush, just rotting away. The owner wanted to get rid of it, and Joe was just the guy to buy it.