1936 GMC T-14 1/2-Ton Pickup

Owned by Patrick Kroeger "dunfire" Bolter # 3137 Palm Harbor, Florida

From Patrick :

       Here is an update and a little more of the background story on my 1936 GMC T-14 1/2-ton pickup truck.

       When I retired from the Fire Department in 2003, I started to look for another truck to have fun with. I had previously restored a 1922 American LaFrance Fire Engine for the Department that I worked for -- but I wanted something smaller.

       I was looking for a late 1940 to early 1950 Chevrolet truck since a friend of mine had a 1953 Ford F-100 and I wanted to be a bit competitive with him.  While searching the Internet, I found my truck in Queens, Arizona -- a 1936 GMC T-14.  My Father-in-law lived close by in Phoenix so he went and looked at it for me.

       After his inspection, I decided to buy the truck. I had it shipped back to Florida. 

       I found out from the seller that he was the second owner of the truck. He told me that the original owner bought it new in June of 1936 for $695 and it had been registered in Pinal County since new. The original owner restored the truck in 1989 and the second owner had done a few repairs.

       The paint and body work was very good when I got the truck, but mechanically it was in poor condition.  Every seal and gasket leaked. The brakes were shot. The head had a crack. The tires were dry rotted. The wood in the bed was dried beyond recognition.

       In the last five years that I have owned it, I have taken care of the above items plus I have

• rebuilt all of the gauges
• replaced the tail gate
• re-chromed the radiator ornament
• repainted the wheels
• rebuilt the carburetor
• rebuilt the fuel pump
• replaced the rear glass and surround
• added the passenger side mirror
• rewired the tank sending unit
• replaced the 8 volt battery with a 6 volt Optima battery with new battery cables
• replaced the bed wood and strips. 

       I have plans to disassemble the bed, fenders and grille and refresh the paint. Some 20 years of nicks, bumps and scraps need to be taken care of.

       Pictures: driver's side front | driver's side | | a cool black and white picture of the grille

       Most of the mechanical items I have taken care of myself, but have farmed out the paint and chrome work.

       I had no idea of the significance of this truck until I got it and started to research more about it. GMC offered this truck in two versions, Standard and Deluxe with the Deluxe version having chrome headlights and stands, chrome center grille gars, radiator ornament, polished stainless hood louvers and chrome hood handles. In addition to that, GMC also offered a Deluxe Cab option that included a chrome inside rearview mirror, arm rest on driver side, chrome windshield frame, sun glare shield, dome light and chrome wiper arm. The chrome front bumper was an added cost accessory, also. The standard color was Green Murant with black fenders, but eleven other colors were offered either as a single color or two tone.

       From what the original owner told me, mine is the original color combination.

       I also found out (after getting this truck) that 1936 was a very bad year for GM due to a labor strike that lasted for months. Production of this model GMC was limited to 11,250 of which mine is the 3229 in the production run.  The 1936 was also, for the most part, a single year design for GMC.  Few items came from 1935 and few items transferred to 1937.

        I attempted to do a decent job of restoring this truck and although not a daily driver, I do put around 100 miles a month driving around to cruise ins and on weekends. I have thoroughly enjoyed working on this truck and like the fact that it is somewhat of a unique truck.

Patrick

        This IS impressive. Thanks for the added information about the 1936 GMC 1/2-ton. Being a rare truck, it's nice to have as much information as we can ... so when someone else is searching, they may discover your truck to find some answers! She looks great! ~ Editor

1 June 2003  

From Patrick :  

        Here are some pictures of my 1936 GMC T-14 1/2-ton.   I bought this truck in Arizona from the second owner.  

        The truck is in remarkable condition with only slight surface rust in the bed area. I have started to replace worn mechanical items and will start on refurbishing the interior and bed wood soon.  

        I will send in more photos when I am finished with complete restoration of the truck.

        Pictures: front | side close up | long view from passenger side

Patrick

       Patrick - Thanks for your submission!  That is a great specimen of a  pre-war GMC! ~ Curator

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