Calling All Two-Tones

[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]

Originally Posted by 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 !!

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