The seldom seen 1966 Sport Trim option - a REAL short wideside has been found!

[GMCNUT]

Hey guys - been a while as usual. I drift from 60-66 GMC projects to 55-59 projects and back and forth, so my posts are intermittent but I have a new love to show you. I have not scoured the earth or asked any of you to dig me one up, but secretly always wanted to find and buy a real short bed that came with the uber rare "Sports Trim option" interior. I have watched and waited and watched and waited for years and years and never found one that could be bought. Found about 5 all totaled and all were longbeds and dont think any were for sale. So, a buddy up in Michigan found this one a few days ago and despite its "rough survivor" grade body condition, it certainly represents what was at one time a beautiful factory Red and White Custom short wideside so I had to have it not knowing if I'd live long enough to see another one LOL. Might require a lot of parts some of you can assist me in finding or buying from you (hint hint), but this is the type of GMC we all dream of finding so it definitely deserves to be saved and resurrected.

I don't know how many newer members there are in this forum who might not know, so I will just add this little blurb about the special Sports Trim Option package to catch everyone up on what it was.

The Sport trim package was a 1966 one year only interior option offered on Custom and non-Custom (called Deluxe) trucks which included a special two toned Charcoal Gray vinyl 1966-only version of the later "buddy buckets" popular in the 67-68 owners crowd. The new seats came with a 3rd smaller seat in the center that had a folding backrest which doubled as an armrest when not in use. under the 3rd seat was a hidden metal storage compartment similar to a console. Special matching two-toned Charcoal vinyl door panel covers were added to the doors, and the dash cap was painted a contrasting Charcoal color. Loop carpeting was part of the package and was a dark Bronze color to blend the Fawn interior paint with the Charcoal Gray seats.

[Ed Snyder]

Originally Posted by GMCNUT

Hey guys - been a while as usual. I drift from 60-66 GMC projects to 55-59 projects and back and forth, so my posts are intermittent but I have a new love to show you. I have not scoured the earth or asked any of you to dig me one up, but secretly always wanted to find and buy a real short bed that came with the uber rare "Sports Trim option" interior. I have watched and waited and watched and waited for years and years and never found one that could be bought. Found about 5 all totaled and all were longbeds and dont think any were for sale. So, a buddy up in Michigan found this one a few days ago and despite its "rough survivor" grade body condition, it certainly represents what was at one time a beautiful factory Red and White Custom short wideside so I had to have it not knowing if I'd live long enough to see another one LOL. Might require a lot of parts some of you can assist me in finding or buying from you (hint hint), but this is the type of GMC we all dream of finding so it definitely deserves to be saved and resurrected.

I don't know how many newer members there are in this forum who might not know, so I will just add this little blurb about the special Sports Trim Option package to catch everyone up on what it was.

The Sport trim package was a 1966 one year only interior option offered on Custom and non-Custom (called Deluxe) trucks which included a special two toned Charcoal Gray vinyl 1966-only version of the later "buddy buckets" popular in the 67-68 owners crowd. The new seats came with a 3rd smaller seat in the center that had a folding backrest which doubled as an armrest when not in use. under the 3rd seat was a hidden metal storage compartment similar to a console. Special matching two-toned Charcoal vinyl door panel covers were added to the doors, and the dash cap was painted a contrasting Charcoal color. Loop carpeting was part of the package and was a dark Bronze color to blend the Fawn interior paint with the Charcoal Gray seats.

Nice find -- congratulations! Now you've got your work cut out for you though. The fun is only beginning!

Let us know what engine and transmission it has (or had?).

[GMCNUT]

Thanks Ed! I am hoping some members will post pictures of any Sport Trim equipped 66's anyone may have too. Probably an old thread or two I can figure out how to get to and read from years back. This one to my surprise was one of the more base model inline 250 equipped trucks but since that engine is long gone and same for the 3 speed, I will re-construct it with a 351E and Powerglide probably. Can't restore it "original" without the engine it came with but I can do it nicely equipped and "correct" and truthfully, about anyone would do the same I think. Most of us are V6 fans and less so much on the 250. I would certainly love to discover anyone was hoarding a V6 equipped parts truck that had 100% of its 3 speed overdrive equipment on it and for sale- now that would be sweeter than doing a powerglide. But, the only thing as rare as the Sport Trim option seems to be that **** overdrive. You can forget anyone selling you that because it doesn't exist. Not even going to ask LOL

[Ed Snyder]

Originally Posted by GMCNUT

I will re-construct it with a 351E and Powerglide probably. I would certainly love to discover anyone was hoarding a V6 equipped parts truck that had 100% of its 3 speed overdrive equipment on it and for sale- now that would be sweeter than doing a powerglide. LOL

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with a Powerglide unless you have some kind of fond attachment to two speed automatics. The '66 I restored that Clyde in SC owns now came from the factory with a 351E and a three speed Turbo-Hydramatic 400 transmission. That's what you ought to put in your truck too. Clyde even added an overdrive unit (Gear Vendors maybe) behind the TH400.

[Funky61]

Here is a link previously posted by Ed from Hemmings and that link leads to the auction. The featured truck was a longbed with the Sport trim and a great video link. I’m sure you saw it GMCNUT.

That auction link had many numerous parts like a GMC V-6 crate engine and a pair of 351E exhaust manifolds and hubcaps and other parts.

https://www.bidfastandlast.com/auctions/detail/bw77796

Among those photos was this intake manifold I’ve not seen but only read about. Looks to be a Magnum Factory Four barrel and must be ultra rare.

[Prowbar]

Send the pics to Pete and he told me the crate engine is a 432 and the 4bbl manifold is a non magnum, truly rare dealer installed item. Judging by the parts that he gathered, he knew a thing or two about these engines.

GMCNut, very nice truck! A 351E would be a very welcome addition.

[BobBray]

Neat truck! Certainly a bit rough, but lots there to work with. If you go with a 351E and find the stock automatic transmission adapter, flywheel, and flexplate you can use either a Pow-R-Flow (GMC Powerglide) or Turbo 400. The 400 was an option in mid-'66 so it would be correct as well. And like Ed Snyder says, probably a better choice.

BTW- did anyone notice the NAPA invoice for cylinder head work? The customer was the Los Angeles Times, they had a large fleet of V-6 powered GMC tilt cabs running on propane.

[Prowbar]

Originally Posted by BobBray

Neat truck! Certainly a bit rough, but lots there to work with. If you go with a 351E and find the stock automatic transmission adapter, flywheel, and flexplate you can use either a Pow-R-Flow (GMC Powerglide) or Turbo 400. The 400 was an option in mid-'66 so it would be correct as well. And like Ed Snyder says, probably a better choice.

BTW- did anyone notice the NAPA invoice for cylinder head work? The customer was the Los Angeles Times, they had a large fleet of V-6 powered GMC tilt cabs running on propane.

Interesting about the head work, a while back I posted that IMPCO article you added that it probably had to be the same customer.

My 305 runs on propane too and it loves it.

[BobBray]

Here's a picture of a couple of L.A. Times Tilt Cabs:

https://www.latimes.com/visuals/phot...htmlstory.html

[Prowbar]

Originally Posted by BobBray

Here's a picture of a couple of L.A. Times Tilt Cabs:

https://www.latimes.com/visuals/phot...htmlstory.html

Very nice. These came with 401 V6's.