When I saw this 1956 GMC stepside pickup on display at the weekly Escondido, California car show "Cruisin Grand" I immediately made a beeline for it. When I heard the story behind it, I knew I had a story for Truck Round Up!
The '56 GMC step side pickup was bought new and used by "grandpa" in his appliance business, Hermosa Electric in Hermosa Beach, CA. Grandpa had an hydraulic lift gate installed to allow it to be used as a delivery truck for large appliances; like refrigerators and freezers. It was used continuously in the business until the shop closed in 1974.
Afterwards the truck was passed on to a grandson who used it for commutes to high school in the '80s. But then it sat unused for twenty years before being rescued by the original owner's daughter. It was restored to stock condition, but without the hydraulic lift. The bed is covered by a black canvas tarp, and overall this is a stock looking, sweet ride.
The hood was never up but the emblems show a V8. This would have been a stock 316 cubic inch engine that was actually sourced by Pontiac and produced 180 horsepower. The "hydramatic" automatic transmission was an abuse taker, and in the passenger marquees helped garner public acceptance of automatics. GMC used them until 1962.
For the first time in 1956 GMC used tubeless tires and a 12 volt electrical system for their entire truck lineup. They did keep an option to have a 6 volt. The stock Aqua Blue paint was well done and you'll notice the stepside's are accented in write. This was a neat truck, with an even neater story!