Calling All Two-Tones

[1960HDGMC]

Hello, Have a Two-Tone 1960-66 GMC, or just a picture of one? Please upload it here. Gotta love the Two-Tones. Post ads too, even pictures from service books, any depiction of 1960-66 GMC trucks wearing Two-Tone paint. Thanks,GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here is a two-tone twosome. GM

[1960HDGMC]

Guess where I found this two-tone GMC and win a prize.

[1960HDGMC]

Even black and white pictures of two-tone trucks are welcomed.

[Onuma]

Does this count as two-tone?

This is approximately what my truck would have looked like, originally, minus wheels & some details. Light blue w/ white accents.

http://www.americandreamcars.com/1965gmcpkup071810.jpg

[1960HDGMC]

Kind of a minimalist approach to Two-Tone, I'll take it. Was this a factory Custom truck? US or Canada? I have seen some Two-Tone Canada GMC truck. They put the main body color up top and put the White from the body crease down. Bizzaro Land! GM

[1960HDGMC]

That is a nice looking truck, Onuma. Here are some more two-tone ads I have ran across.GM

[Onuma]

I've heard that some trucks had the white on top from the factory (It's hard to find original photos of these trucks!) but perhaps not in that exact design.

This one looks more like a factory paint job & color, but I'm not certain.
http://6066gmcguy.com/gmc-id/Custom-1965-1.jpg

I don't know if I like it as much as the earlier, full-top 2-tone, but it does add a nice bit of contrast.

If I decide to repaint mine, I may go with a 2-tone all the way to the roof, starting around where that first image I posted has it. It's an idea I'm tossing around. Plenty of time to decide -- I still have about a thousand hours of body work to do before I'm ready to mask & paint! :ahhhh:

[Onuma]

Here's another, very similar, light blue GMC. Though this particular pic has been edited poorly and looks blown out. And the steel wheels are painted the same color as the body. Original? Got me....but it looks sharp, minus the screwed up the color tone in the photo.

http://images.classiccars.com/classifieds/410359_15005630_1966_GMC_34%2BTon%2BPickup.jpg

Just one more of the light blue two-tone. Don't want to overdo it in this thread :) If nothing else, these will give me a few ideas for when I paint mine...I'd like to go with something you just don't find these days. Hence the '66 GMC in the first place!

http://jimcartertruckparts.com/images/1964%201966%20gmc%20custom%209.jpg

[GMCDAC]

Here is one I got off the net somewhere, that I really like. A dangerous act that a lot of us somehow survived!

DAC

[Onuma]

I've done that in the back of military trucks, many times. They put a heavy canvas/nylon strap across the back and call it "safe" ... hah!

[GMCDAC]

I was born and raised riding in pickup boxes, still drive 2 GMC's with just lap belts and one GMC with no seat belts at all! I must have a death wish---LOL!

DAC

[1960HDGMC]

Hey DAC, Welcome to the Two-Tone Pages. I love that rednwhite GMC picture. Dibs on the driver side wheel well,haha. Here are a few more two-tones I ran across. I have some Red n White 1960 GMC ad pictures,but I do not know if I should post them. I pulled them off the web,but I think GMC still sells copies of the two pictures. Any ideas? Thanks, GM

[Ed Snyder]

This is the truck I bought 20 years ago from a neighbor for $1,000. It had about 38,000 miles on it, no rust, 351 V6, Turbo 400 trans, Powr-Lok rear end. I had it repainted, frame shortened, and put a short bed on it. Clyde in SC owns it now.

[GMCDAC]

Hey DAC, Welcome to the Two-Tone Pages. I love that rednwhite GMC picture. Dibs on the driver side wheel well,haha. Here are a few more two-tones I ran across. I have some Red n White 1960 GMC ad pictures,but I do not know if I should post them. I pulled them off the web,but I think GMC still sells copies of the two pictures. Any ideas? Thanks, GM

Thanks Greg, you started a great thread here, I dig the pics and paperwork!
The '60 in the flood damaged black and white Polaroid pic in my avatar was a yellow and white two-tone.

This is the truck I bought 20 years ago from a neighbor for $1,000. It had about 38,000 miles on it, no rust, 351 V6, Turbo 400 trans, Powr-Lok rear end. I had it repainted, frame shortened, and put a short bed on it. Clyde in SC owns it now.

Great truck, Ed, Clyde is a lucky guy to get one of your GMC's! Hope all is well with you and yours..

DAC

[1960HDGMC]

Here is a two-Tone 1960 GMC on a pack of dealership matches. I bet there are others out there. GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here are all the paint regulations that I have. They show the 1960,1962 and 1966 Two-Tone GMC paint schemes. If anyone has other years, or the second page for 1966,please post them here. Thanks, GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here is a brochure that features Two-Tone trucks. The picture is of what I believe to be Pre-Production trucks taken in early fall of 1959. Look at the inner bed paint. I believe this differs from standard paint regs. Any thoughts?,GM

[1960HDGMC]

Don't Shoot, These are for reference purposes only. The 1960 Chevy shares the flip-flopped Two-Tone with the Canada GMC trucks. The others are Dodge Ford and International Harvester, all 1960 factory Two-Tone models. The Two-Tone blue and white was an industry wide phenomenon in the late 50's-early60's era. They all look cool to the touch. GM

[1960HDGMC]

Hey Ed, So help me, I took these pictures of this GMC in South Carolina. Could this be your old truck? GM

[1960HDGMC]

Some screen shots of the 1960 GMC TV commercial video. And a shot of a 1960 2500. I would like to find one of these. GM

[1960HDGMC]

First picture...something wrong with that truck. Last picture...The cure for the broken tail bone. Eat your heart out Subaru Brat, haha.

[bigblockv6]

Hey Ed, So help me, I took these pictures of this GMC in South Carolina. Could this be your old truck? GM

If you scroll up to where Ed showed the pictures of his 66 before it was converted to a short bed, you will see in the small caption in Ed's driveway a pic of his 62 K series Suburban and the 66 after it was transformed to a short bed 3/4 ton and no longer a two tone.:lolsmack2:

[Ed Snyder]

Hey Ed, So help me, I took these pictures of this GMC in South Carolina. Could this be your old truck? GM

That's a nice looking truck in your photos, GM, but it's a half ton with big back window. Mine was a 3/4 ton with small back window.

Pete is correct -- the pickup in my driveway in my avatar is the same one after it was repainted a solid color which was a 1973 Cadillac color "Sage Metallic".

[Clyde]

Ed: Nice looking 1966 GMC pickup.

[1960HDGMC]

Thanks for the pictures Ed. Now I know of two fine looking GMC trucks still rolling through God's Country. I bet cutting the frame down and putting it back together was some undertaking. GM

[Clyde]

Since June of 2009 Ed's old 1966 GMC pickup pictured above has resided in Abbeville,SC. I purchased it from a fellow in Duluth,MN, we flew up there and drove it back to SC with no problems. Since my ownership I have rewired the dash cluster, had the clock rebuilt. Installed a Holley 500, I made an adapter for the Holley and an HEI from a Buick V6 even fired engine. I also installed a Gear Vendor overdrive and made 2 degree shims for the rear axle to eliminate a slight vibration from the shortened driveshaft. We are a few miles shy of 75,000.

[1960HDGMC]

Thanks for the update on the truck Clyde. I would like to see more GMC trucks in our general area. I see a lot more Chevy trucks from 6066 in my neck of the woods. I like 'em all, but the GMC with the V6 motors are fascinating to me. Although my trucks motor got yanked decades ago, I am really thinking about building one along the lines of your 351,to mate to my 700R-4. The V-6 blocks look to be massively overbuilt, and very stout. Do you have any data on the engine performance (HP/Torque)with the mods you have made? GM

[Ed Snyder]

Thanks for the pictures Ed. Now I know of two fine looking GMC trucks still rolling through God's Country. I bet cutting the frame down and putting it back together was some undertaking. GM

Cutting the frame down was actually pretty straightforward. The first cut was straight down from the back of the cab. The second cut was 12" to the rear. The third cut was 8" from the tail end of the frame. The splice behind the cab was reinforced with fishplates. The hole in the crossmember that the driveshaft passes through had to be enlarged due to the steeper angle of the driveshaft. The short bed bolted right on with no mods.

[GMCNUT]

Here is a brochure that features Two-Tone trucks. The picture is of what I believe to be Pre-Production trucks taken in early fall of 1959. Look at the inner bed paint. I believe this differs from standard paint regs. Any thoughts?,GM

The bed you see is a solid color trucks' bed so unlike the 1960 two-tone which would be white inside the bed, a solid color truck would have body colored interior bedsides. Wheeltubs were black on all GMC models along with the wood floor

[1960HDGMC]

Wow, cutting the frame rails in half. To me, that is really taking it to the next level. I have heard of people doing this, but never seen one. Thanks for explaining how it was done. Now here is a Two-Tone 1960 GMC that is in black and white. Question. After years of looking at these old pictures, and knowing the limited factory color choices for any given year, can anyone discern the true color of the trucks in the black and white pictures? With todays computers, it would be easy to add the color, if I knew which color to add. I have even thought of getting pictures of a truck in each color offered that year, and turning it black and white. Perhaps the colors have something to say, even in black and white pictures. Any ideas? GM

[GMCNUT]

Wow, cutting the frame rails in half. To me, that is really taking it to the next level. I have heard of people doing this, but never seen one. Thanks for explaining how it was done. Now here is a Two-Tone 1960 GMC that is in black and white. Question. After years of looking at these old pictures, and knowing the limited factory color choices for any given year, can anyone discern the true color of the trucks in the black and white pictures? With todays computers, it would be easy to add the color, if I knew which color to add. I have even thought of getting pictures of a truck in each color offered that year, and turning it black and white. Perhaps the colors have something to say, even in black and white pictures. Any ideas? GM

Certain shades do show up differently in B/W but the quality of the picture has to be good to really tell between colors like yellow and orange. This truck appears to be the same as the Red and White one in the GM photostore

[1960HDGMC]

I wish I could get a clear view of the front tag on that factory picture. It looks like the old script "GMC" with some other text. I wonder if GMC would sell me a Tiff image of that picture. I have that picture, but I pulled it from a copy online. It is not clear enough. The black and white picture I posted is taken from the 1960 GMC Paint Regulations. It is hard to tell from the angle, but the black and white truck picture looks like a short bed to me. GM.

[1960HDGMC]

Jake Groby's project. Should be on the road in a few months. He went with Canyon Blue for the main body color. Gonna be another fine looking Two-Tone on the road real soon. GM

[1960HDGMC]

You meet the nicest people riding in a 1960 GMC. These pictures are from a 1980's movie. There is a long list of GMC trucks in movies online. GM

[1960HDGMC]

This is your GMC...This is your GMC on LSD. Taken from a two page magazine ad from 1960.

[jbgroby]

Hahahaahh

[gmccollector]

Heres our 66 two tone.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj87/jon67427/18000%20Mile%2066%20GMC/Picture188.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jon67427/media/18000%20Mile%2066%20GMC/Picture188.jpg.html)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj87/jon67427/18000%20Mile%2066%20GMC/Picture186.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jon67427/media/18000%20Mile%2066%20GMC/Picture186.jpg.html)

[gmccollector]

one 60 and one 61 GMC original paint two tone trucks.

[http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj87/jon67427/60-66%20trucks/Picture014.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jon67427/media/60-66%20trucks/Picture014.jpg.html)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj87/jon67427/60-66%20trucks/Picture016.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jon67427/media/60-66%20trucks/Picture016.jpg.html)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj87/jon67427/60-66%20trucks/Pic12713.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jon67427/media/60-66%20trucks/Pic12713.jpg.html)

[1960HDGMC]

SuWeet GMCCollector,
Love them Two-Tones. Did the Mesa Tan 1/2 ton truck get different spear up front right, or is the original just flattened out? Also, is the inside of the bed all White and are the fender wells also White, or Black? If you have one, please consider adding a shot of the bed floor area. I had to wing it on paint placement inside the bed, when I painted my truck. You have a nice pair of awesome looking GMC trucks. There cousins look nice too. I got a soft spot for the 60-61 GMC trucks. Thanks for posting them, GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here is a 1960 GMC Color Chip Set from GMC. I just got this. It has a line pointing to each color that goes to Olympic White, for Two-Tone jobs. It also features a Black color chip. Most aftermarket paint companies did nor include a Black chip in there sets, if they mentioned that color at all. I have another thread going about the color chips for 6066 GMC trucks. It goes into some detail as I try to sort all the year modes' colors out. Does anyone out there have other year color chips that are from GMC, and not the paint companies? GM

[gmccollector]

SuWeet GMCCollector,
Love them Two-Tones. Did the Mesa Tan 1/2 ton truck get different spear up front right, or is the original just flattened out? Also, is the inside of the bed all White and are the fender wells also White, or Black? If you have one, please consider adding a shot of the bed floor area. I had to wing it on paint placement inside the bed, when I painted my truck. You have a nice pair of awesome looking GMC trucks. There cousins look nice too. I got a soft spot for the 60-61 GMC trucks. Thanks for posting them, GM

Why Thank you 1960HDGMC ! That half ton , well the previous owner threw out the old stainless because of a few dings and realized later he wasn't going to find it again ! Then he put the 62-66 style aluminum trim in its place. I've since collected all the correct stainless for the truck. Both Mesa Tan trucks are white interior beds with white inner rear wheel housings all still original paint. Need to check the build location but I believe both are western built trucks. I have one other 1960 that's Mesa Tan and a custom but its not a two tone and its inner bed is body colored with body color inner fenders .Both these trucks have been in storage for at least 10 years and I cant get at them for pictures, sorry. The 3/4 ton will soon have its original wheels and hubcaps back in place also. The Red 66 has the black inner fenders. Thanks, Jon

[1960HDGMC]

Thanks Jon, I have a theory that there were different standards and practices during any given production year, from plant to plant. I believe some plants did slightly vary on paint breaks and even colors. There are plenty of original wheels on trucks that are different from more commonly seen wheels. I believe these different wheels were sent to southern plants, as I have yet to see them on known western/Pontiac built examples. Does not mean there were none, I simply have not ran across any to date. The White paint going across the top of your tailgate I have seen a time or two. The GMC paint regulations for 1960 do not call for it, and the pictures in the paint regs do not show it. But they exist. I have seen yours and a couple of others. I think whomever was spraying these trucks any given day, might have taken certain artistic liberties with the paint breaks. I do not know a lot about trucks, but I know vintage guitars like there's no tomorrow. Been playing/repairing/studying vintage instruments since I was fresh out of diapers. I can tell you that the biggest maker of guitars in 1959 was Gibson. Gibson guitars were given standardized paint jobs. But there are a couple hundred known originals that received variations, even though they were standard production models. It is documented that this happened on several batches of instruments. The powers that be were PO'd to no end, but the rare Darkburst 1959 Les Pauls are treasured today for there variants, beauty and rarity. Point being, I believe all big outfits painting stuff in the 1950' and 1960's would be expected to deviate to some degree, if only occasionally. I have heard of factory painted BLUE GMC engines. I have seen White letters on tailgates that were "supposed "to be Aluminum. I bet the western sprayer guy thought the white should go across to tie the back of the bed together. It looks logical looking at your picture. GM

[gmccollector]

I was able to confirm 2 out of three 60-61s , one I cant get inside , two have the "C" for Oakland plant. I've researched these a little and it seems Fremont and Oakland had white rear inner fenders. It might explain the white on the top of the gate on these two also. It seems as if Midwest trucks received the black inner fenders. If you look in the 1960 GMC Data book which I'm assuming is more of a Detroit area book , it shows in one of the pages a 1960 without the white paint on the top of the gate. It also states in the painting regulations that the rear inner fenders are to be black. Were there two different Data books or different painting regulation guides ? I'm not one of the theorists that believes in random , I think I will just do it this way today , unless there was a specific reason. Like the recent 1962 GMC 1700 mile truck , it came with a special order color , that I know existed . As for tailgate lettering , has anyone found a factory white lettered gate ? I have several other GMCs and takeoff tailgates , so far all are argent silver paint. Also in the Data book is a small paragraph on "special paint" to fill out a GMC paint chart and submit that with the truck order. The Blue engine comment , I've heard that, but never seen it. Wheels for 1960, I've only seen two styles for 6 lug , all with clips but different center hubs. Interesting stuff for sure and lots to learn !!

[1960HDGMC]

Hey Jon, I learn something about these old trucks every time I visit this forum. Always interesting to try and sort it all out. I will post a couple pictures of 1960 western trucks on a car hauler. They were taken literally on the west coast. I believe they were GMC in house pictures. They show the White inside area of the pickup bed. However, on the same truck the tailgate is all body color, no white. If there were official variations from plant to plant(or even Eastern/Trans-Mississippi), I would think they would have come to light in period bulletins by now. Again, just because I have not run across them, does not mean that they do not exist. I am always looking, just out of general curiosity more than anything else. But the few pieces of original GMC sourced material on this subject that I have read, have only supported the standard paint breaks. I wish we could find a GMC painter from the period and ask him or her. Till then, I will keep digging. GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here are a few other rear views of 1960 GMC trucks(first picture is a 1962 GMC Custom). I have a shot of a load on a western train heading towards the mountains,but I can not locate it. I believe it also includes rear view of these year trucks. I will keep looking. GM

[gmccollector]

Thank you for posting those pictures GM, and please do not take what I say the wrong way in previous posts. Just to hard to type thoughts and ideas sometimes. But let me ask you this , a staged photo op like the car hauler, looks to be west coast, what are the VINs on those trucks ? My meaning to this is , without a VIN and plant code from the specific truck and paint combination , isn't it speculation as to where it was actually built at that point ? Not trying to argue , just trying to see if there's something more substantial to the debate. I know they came both ways , just looking for the reason why ? Was it a plant variation or was it a change in procedure ? Only way I can see a true explanation is documenting original trucks . Maybe post your plant designation with your original paint combination . Like you said , Would love to see some GMC bulletins on this , GMC Literature , true data, is pretty scarce compared to Chevy.

[Onuma]

Man...that carrier truck hauling all of those shiny-new pickups has me drooling! So much awesome in one picture.

[1960HDGMC]

No sweat. I agree that it is hard to converse with any eloquence and nuance by way of typing. I never take any academic discussion personally. That would hamper earnest inquisition, and would not serve to further our craft. I believe the GMC in the coastal truck pictures are western. But I found these pictures with no literature, so this thought is at best extrapolated conjecture based on circumstantial evidence i.e., an educated guess. But it is all I have to go on. If the paint break evolve during a series year, I would expect the serial numbers to be high or low for each variant. The white topped tailgates may be products of one or more plants. The fact that my early production truck did not have it does not prove that none were produced at Pontiac. I do not suspect that any were, but only from lack of evidence to date. To really sort this out, the discussion requires a pool of extant original trucks with serial numbers. My truck was number 1493 produced at Pontiac. I am lucky to have the original owner here in town to talk with. I also grew up inspecting the truck almost weekly, as our town barber was near the Harley shop where my truck lived. But I do not even know if Pontiac ran separate serial number series for big truck and coaches, or if they all shared one series of numbers. Told you I am no expert, haha. I am leaning towards a western plant ("C" code") variant, probably exclusive to the one plant, likely without a separate set of paint regulations. I may6be wrong, but that is my best guess based on what I have gathered to date. I hope to find a "smoking gun" set of paint regs that calls for the white top. I am beating the bushes looking. Thanks,GM

[1960HDGMC]

Man...that carrier truck hauling all of those shiny-new pickups has me drooling! So much ******* in one picture.

I agree, its sicknin, The picture raises as many questions as it answers concerning the 60 model trucks. One of my favorites.

[1960HDGMC]

Hey Jon, When you get a chance, look and see if your Two-Tone break behind your cabs are like my trucks in these pictures. I expect it would be the same, but if it differs greatly, that would be further supportive of a different painting regulations being used. Also, under the right door on the frame I found these red painted codes, totally hidden under decades of crud. I have never seen or heard of another frame rail having this. I know there must be many more, but no one I know has ever seen it on another truck. Anyone ever seen this? Thanks,GM

[GMCNUT]

Hey Jon, When you get a chance, look and see if your Two-Tone break behind your cabs are like my trucks in these pictures. I expect it would be the same, but if it differs greatly, that would be further supportive of a different painting regulations being used. Also, under the right door on the frame I found these red painted codes, totally hidden under decades of crud. I have never seen or heard of another frame rail having this. I know there must be many more, but no one I know has ever seen it on another truck. Anyone ever seen this? Thanks,GM

My 1960 Frame came from the California Plant and it was a prestine, still factory black super clean frame and I looked everywhere for cool lettering like this and never found anything....did have two small red rings on each torsion bar though

[1960HDGMC]

Those rings are color coded by weight range. The ones with green rings are from 3/4 ton 2WD trucks. I need a set for my truck. No one that I know of ever made replacement torsion bars. If they or GMC did, they are long gone. As all springs weaken over time, I bet 3/4 ton bars have gotten to where 1/2 ton bars were when new. I really want to find a set of green ringed bars and see if it helps. Donors are 60-61 Chevy C-20 3/4 ton 2 WD and GMC 1500 2 WD trucks. Anyone got a set laying around? haha. Here are two more 1960-61 GMC Two-Tone truck images. GM

[Vernski]

This is the way my truck is painted. not a stock color for 65 but a 77 Corvette color Chartreuse. That's the color it was when I bought it, I thought that it was a stock color because the firewall was painted chartreuse clear down to the frame. Some have said it was a dealer re-paint, I don't know for sure the people that owned it are gone to the dealer in the sky. Anyway that's why I had it re-painted this time. The other color is Arctic white witch also is the tailgate letters silver argent should be the right color maybe when it needs painting again. The way the 2-tone was painted is similar to some that were posted already this is a 65 and is the way they were painted anyway I hope you like it...Vernski:saywhat:

[1960HDGMC]

Hey Vernski, That is sharp. I remember that color on a Corvette in town. I like the rails too. I made some to help my longbed look less long. It helped, and I like the looks of the wood rails, but they block my vision out the back a little. I really want a set of the old school chrome tube rails, but the current stuff is not real close to the old style. I think GMC made factory option bed rail kits at some point in the 6066 run, but I have only seen pictures. Thanks for adding the pictures, GM

[1960HDGMC]

I found yet another 60 GMC big truck ad. It too features a "Naner Puddin" Two-Tone. I fill a trend coming on. GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here is a factory promo shot of a 1962 GMC. Its a Two-Tone Custom, with the 1960 Hood Bird, and almost all the chrome they could throw at it. The plaid flannel shirt may be making a reprisal appearance. It looks similar to the one worn by the driver in the 1960 GMC promo picture of the Red/White 1002 Model. Technically, the shirt is a Two-Tone too. GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here is a 60-61 GMC I found online. It is a Custom package equipped truck like mine, only in Flame Red/Olympic White. GM

[jbgroby]

I too had the red/orange letters on my frame, I'm going to put them Bach. It was the date of manufacture and plant dose I think. All truck probaly had them?




Hey Jon, When you get a chance, look and see if your Two-Tone break behind your cabs are like my trucks in these pictures. I expect it would be the same, but if it differs greatly, that would be further supportive of a different painting regulations being used. Also, under the right door on the frame I found these red painted codes, totally hidden under decades of crud. I have never seen or heard of another frame rail having this. I know there must be many more, but no one I know has ever seen it on another truck. Anyone ever seen this? Thanks,GM

[1960HDGMC]

Hey Jake, That's great to hear. Is your truck an early production number? My truck is number 1492 (1002PN 2493A, serial numbers start at 1001,so 2493 minus 1001 equals 1492)built at Pontiac Plant. I do not know if those red numbers were plant specific, used for years or just early on. There are no other examples of these numbers that have come to light. Surely there are more out there. We just need folks to check for them, and if they have them, document them with pictures. I hope you got pictures of your red numbers. I taped over mine when we painted the frame. They are done apparently with a template, in a really thick red paint. Mine were upside down, on the outside of the frame, under the right door. Here is a picture for reference. Jake, are yours here as well? Everybody check your truck for these when you get a chance. Thanks, GM

[1960HDGMC]

I have tried to decipher the three lines on my frame. Here they are:
1002&1502STD Easy enough, same frame rail for either 1/2 ton LWB or 3/4 ton LWB, Standard Transmission. Next line: 303598-11 0869 . May be a coincidence, but 11 is the code for the frame in the 1960 GMC Master Parts Book. The 303598 did not appear in the index. 0869 may be the number of the frame rail set completed. Just a guess. The last line is : 9.26.59 That must be the date code for the completed frame rail set, or completed frame. This was most likely painted before the cab went on, as it is pretty tight in there with the cab on. I know the trucks original owner. He told me that he took delivery at the Pontiac Plant in the fall of 1959. It was parked outside. There was close to a foot of snow in the bed. Mr. Grover is 91 now, and he is still mentally sharp as ever. He still owns and opens his Harley dealership daily. This date code and his recollection both serve to reinforce the fact that this was an early production truck. I just wish we had more examples of this painted code on some frames. They seem to be rare, but I bet there are plenty more out there, hiding under 50 years of road crud. I never saw mine until I started cleaning the frame. I almost flipped when I saw the text jumping out of the crud. I cleaned the painted area by hand and taped over the text when we sprayed the frame. Please check your frames. You might get lucky. Please let me know if you do. GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here is another Two-Tone pickup on a big truck ad. GM

[1960HDGMC]

Here is Ozzie and Harriet's GMC Two-Tone. Its a 1962 Model 1002 Wideside Custom, with an 8 foot Alaskan Camper. Episode 349 called "June and the great outdoors" Its on YouTube. Enjoy,GM

[GMCNUT]

I was able to confirm 2 out of three 60-61s , one I cant get inside , two have the "C" for Oakland plant. I've researched these a little and it seems Fremont and Oakland had white rear inner fenders. It might explain the white on the top of the gate on these two also. It seems as if Midwest trucks received the black inner fenders. If you look in the 1960 GMC Data book which I'm assuming is more of a Detroit area book , it shows in one of the pages a 1960 without the white paint on the top of the gate. It also states in the painting regulations that the rear inner fenders are to be black. Were there two different Data books or different painting regulation guides ? I'm not one of the theorists that believes in random , I think I will just do it this way today , unless there was a specific reason. Like the recent 1962 GMC 1700 mile truck , it came with a special order color , that I know existed . As for tailgate lettering , has anyone found a factory white lettered gate ? I have several other GMCs and takeoff tailgates , so far all are argent silver paint. Also in the Data book is a small paragraph on "special paint" to fill out a GMC paint chart and submit that with the truck order. The Blue engine comment , I've heard that, but never seen it. Wheels for 1960, I've only seen two styles for 6 lug , all with clips but different center hubs. Interesting stuff for sure and lots to learn !!

Sure appreciate you sharing the pictures of your white-topped tailgate. That is very interesting. Chevrolet reversed the paint scheme where the body color was up top and white was the lower body color in 58-60, and in 1961 they went to a solid color tailgate. the top of the 58-60 tailgates were upper body color so it is interesting to see a GMC gate like this when so many did not have this white band across the tailgate - the two-tone 1960 GMC in the GM Photo Store is a more typical example with solid gate, so I have wondered if GMC did the same as Chevy and axed the two-tone tailgate after 1960.

[1960HDGMC]

Hey GMCNut, Do you know if the paint break was shared by GMC and Chevrolet, on the "Two-Tone tailgates"? Just wandering if two independent divisions addressed the paint break in the exact same way. Also wonder if Chevrolet also has the alternate paint scheme thing happening in this era. There are certain differences in standard application of paint beginning to come to light with 1960 GMC. It looks like western plants have produced trucks with substantial variation from the presumed universal 1960 GMC Paint Regulations. Period photos and original trucks show us some of the differences. Big paint stripes along tailgate top sections of Two-Tone trucks, and different inner bed paint schemes. May be on purpose from GM corporate level, GMC Divisional level, individual plant level, or will of the painter. We just do not know, yet, what caused these very interesting (and cool looking) variants. If we all keep digging, maybe we can find the smoking gun. GM

[jbgroby]

Got the bed done for your Two-Tone page. I followed as close as possible to one of the paint patterns. I hope this helps some guys. the wheel tubs, strips and boards will be semi-gloss black. The insteps are 'probably' supposed to be chrome or pot metal - but I think white looks great (at least till I can afford to have them 're-chromed'.

[1960HDGMC]

Hey Jake, You are making positive forward progress. I know you are getting keyed up. It will not be long and you will have it all buttoned up. Looking good. Greg

[jbgroby]

Oh yeah!!!!!,

[sodly]

Here's one...

[1960HDGMC]

Thanks Sodly, One of my favorite Two-Tone GMC truck pictures. Note the "Custom" package,minus the side body trim. Also the wheels are painted main body color, which is called for only on suburbans of that series. Also the inner tailgate appears to be solid white. I wonder if this was a pre-production truck, or just another West Coast variant. Most intriguing example. Do you have any information concerning this picture? Thanks for posting,GM

[sodly]

Unfortunately, I don't have any information. I collect factory photos of 60-66 trucks and this is one of them.

[GMCDAC]

About a month ago my sister sent me this one to scan. Taken in 1961 or '62. Mom and Dad's two-tone 1960 GMC Suburban, same one that's in my avatar. We had just driven from western South Dakota to Georgia to visit my Grandparents. That' my Grandmother.

DAC

[gmccollector]

Heres a sneak peak of my 63 GMC Two Tone. Not quite finished though. Palomino Tan and Ivory.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj87/jon67427/1963%20GMC%204X4/IMG_28961%2014.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jon67427/media/1963%20GMC%204X4/IMG_28961%2014.jpg.html)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj87/jon67427/1963%20GMC%204X4/IMG_2856.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jon67427/media/1963%20GMC%204X4/IMG_2856.jpg.html)
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj87/jon67427/1963%20GMC%204X4/IMG_2887.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/user/jon67427/media/1963%20GMC%204X4/IMG_2887.jpg.html)

[Funky61]

WOW! Great color and a Great Truck; Kudos to you GMCCollector.

[GMCNUT]

WOW - Jon, that truck is awesome. Love Palomino Tan on the old GMC's. I just bought a super rarely equipped 66 suburban I can't wait to show the group and I am going to paint it Palomino and White like your truck

[gmccollector]

WOW! Great color and a Great Truck; Kudos to you GMCCollector.

Thank you Funky61 !!

WOW - Jon, that truck is awesome. Love Palomino Tan on the old GMC's. I just bought a super rarely equipped 66 suburban I can't wait to show the group and I am going to paint it Palomino and White like your truck

Thank you Steve ! Its a color that is growing on me , I think the off white really compliments this color. Cant wait to see your new purchase and option list. Was it originally Palomino Tan ?

[GMCNUT]

No this one was that plain paper sack tan - sort of like khaki pants I guess. A little boring for me so I wont repaint it that color. Its been repainted a similarly boring brown color sprayed directly onto the original Tan like they used to do back in the day, so gotta get this one sprayed in the Spring to any other color combination but leaning to Palomino because its an old Pontiac color shared with GMC which hints back to the 1950's glory days of GMC when it was closely aligned with Pontiac plus its in the same color family as the Tan color that came on it vs Red, Green, Blue etc.....posting some pics now

[Ed Snyder]

Just don't leave your Palamino Tan trucks out in the sun too long. They turn pink after a few years!

[GMCNUT]

Just posted the new 66 GMC Suburban story and pictures on the General Discussion board. If I can get this suburban painted as nice as Jon's 63 on this thread using the same colors I will be in heaven

[GMCNUT]

Jon, I seriously would appreciate you sharing the paint brand and codes you used when you bought your Palomino Tan and White colors - would help me tremendously when we go to shoot this Suburban in the Spring.

[gmccollector]

Just don't leave your Palamino Tan trucks out in the sun too long. They turn pink after a few years!

Yeah , that's what my Son calls it to Ed. This truck still has some of its OG Palomino paint yet, the doors, cowls, roof, hood and grille surround are day one paint but they chalk up pretty fast . Ive hand rubbed the paint a couple times and it returns to original shine and color very nicely.

Jon, I seriously would appreciate you sharing the paint brand and codes you used when you bought your Palomino Tan and White colors - would help me tremendously when we go to shoot this Suburban in the Spring.

I have the code but its at my painters shop. Keep on me and Ill get it to you. It took 2 months for a paint guy to get it this close , slight slight shade difference to the OG paint on the doors but that may be because of what Ed said, being out in the Montana sun all its life. Still it just looks so unique in this two tone combination.

[gmccollector]

Also would like to ask you GMC guys this question. Unlike Chevrolets, GMCs don't have a stamped paint code on the interior tag. What other ways have you guys found to confirm a trucks true colors ? I've seen some chalk mark codes , anything else besides the obvious original paint that might be left behind ?

[Semocoachworks]

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr206/64fordf260/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/IMG_20160425_183035016_HDR_zpslkf0kar8.jpg (http://s484.photobucket.com/user/64fordf260/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/IMG_20160425_183035016_HDR_zpslkf0kar8.jpg.html)

Anyone know on a 62 where the paint code might be located? This is pink or salmon colored. Would like to know the name and code of this color.

[jbgroby]

Here are some fully assembled shots. Real Close now, I have to get the door glass in and rear bumper mounted.
John Borne and Brian Pearson are the two helpers.
My Littlest Help is my Granddaughter, who was really using the ratchet.

[jbgroby]

Took only 15 minutes to mount the bed, took about 4 hours to get it all lines up. I had to loosen the cab mounts (too tight) and shim up the bed just a hair.
The chain Pivot, Tail light housing.
The tail light lens still has dried Hurricane Katrina mud which I left a little bit as a memento as the truck has been through **** and HIGH WATER.
The Tailgate with the correct reflective silver (Not white)

[bigblockv6]

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr206/64fordf260/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/IMG_20160425_183035016_HDR_zpslkf0kar8.jpg (http://s484.photobucket.com/user/64fordf260/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2016-04/IMG_20160425_183035016_HDR_zpslkf0kar8.jpg.html)

Anyone know on a 62 where the paint code might be located? This is pink or salmon colored. Would like to know the name and code of this color.

The color is Palomino Tan, PPG paint no. 22145 which can be cross linked to Dupont or Sherwin-Williams at most Automotive paint stores depending on what brand they carry:thumbsup:

[Semocoachworks]

Thank you big block v6. To my eyes, this is as pink as pink can be and I'm certain it's faded. After posting this last night, I googled palomino tan and thought I was going color blind! Thanks again!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[Semocoachworks]

Took only 15 minutes to mount the bed, took about 4 hours to get it all lines up. I had to loosen the cab mounts (too tight) and shim up the bed just a hair.
The chain Pivot, Tail light housing.
The tail light lens still has dried Hurricane Katrina mud which I left a little bit as a memento as the truck has been through **** and HIGH WATER.
The Tailgate with the correct reflective silver (Not white)
That is an amazing job you are doing on that truck. Spent a couple hours last night reading your build thread. Very nice!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[1960HDGMC]

Thank you big block v6. To my eyes, this is as pink as pink can be and I'm certain it's faded. After posting this last night, I googled palomino tan and thought I was going color blind! Thanks again!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

I did a little research on the 60-66 GMC Colors a while back. Look for a thread called "1960-66 GMC Paint Chips". It has all the colors by year with color code numbers. Another thread called " 1960-66 GMC Color Codes" lists all the 1960-66 GMC Paint Regulations that I have run across. BigBlockv6 is in the know on this paint end of things too. He is a good source of info to tap, and he has helped me with paint questions I had. Love the suburban. That Palomino Tan looks pink to my eyes as well. We must have too many rods and cones in our eyes or something. GM

[bigblockv6]

I agree that Palomino Tan is on the pink side, it was used from 62 all the way up to 68, which was the last year of GMC exclusive colors in the truck line. 60-61 trucks were Mesa Tan, a bit more brown but when faded with age a little pink tone is noticeable:ahhhh:

[jbgroby]

That is an amazing job you are doing on that truck. Spent a couple hours last night reading your build thread. Very nice!

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

Thank You!

[jbgroby]

Must be one of those transgendered colors ;)

[jbgroby]

Got the last major part on, the gate and bumper.

[jbgroby]

Outside pictures

[Funky61]

I like those chrome V6 emblems; don't see them too often.

[jbgroby]

OEM off Ebay

[TJ's GMC]

Does mine count? :lolsmack2:

[jbgroby]

Yep!

[jimjaz]

here ya go5703 my 63 K1000

sorry, but I HAD to attach these old GMC's on a train with Mount Shasta in the background. Got this From Ed Snyder many years ago.

5704

[bigblockv6]

Look to be mostly Chivies :pullinghairout: other than the 3rd truck at the bottom towards the end of the car:lolsmack2:

[GMCNUT]

The Tailgate with the correct reflective silver (Not white)

Did you save the paint code for the Silver lettering paint? I need the code and brand of paint you used to save for when we re-do my 60 GMC tailgate

[jbgroby]

Yes, I have it somewhere, pm or email me sonit will pop up and remind me to go look.

[1960HDGMC]

Wow Jake, It is looking good. Is she on the road again? Thanks,GM

[jbgroby]

Waiting on a replacement title.

[Dukes]

Here’s my entry.from 64