Prior to the mid-1930’s, the two truck
divisions of General Motors, Chevrolet and GMC, were mostly
independent companies. If you wanted a 1-1/2 ton and smaller truck,
Chevrolet (since 1918) could provide the model just right for your
needs. If you needed a 2-ton and larger, GMC was the division to
contact. They had been a large truck specialist even before 1920.
A gradual overlap began in mid-1936 with the
introduction of the new "low cab" body. GMC brought out a
line of light trucks in direct competition with Chevrolet. They were
to give the current GMC dealerships additional sales by fulfilling
their customer’s light duty hauling needs. These new trucks shared
most sheet metal with Chevrolet as well as transmissions, front
suspension, wheels and differentials. A few minor changes were the
grille, hood sides, lettered tailgate and hubcaps; however, the major
difference was the engine.
At that time GMC did not produce a small
engine that could fit their new light duty trucks. Their totally new
small six-cylinder overhead valve power plant was still three years
away. The solution was to use a pre-existing engine from one of the
General Motors other divisions. They adopted the 213 cubic inch
six-cylinder flat head engine from Oldsmobile. Its power, size and
reliability in cars made it the best choice and replacement parts were
already available from the Oldsmobile division.
This proven engine in combination with the
new low cab body proved successful and allowed GMC to begin gaining
ground in the small truck market.
This 213 full oil pressure insert bearing
engine (updated by Oldsmobile in 1937 to 230) was main source of power
during the early years of smaller GMC trucks, 1936-38. One exception
was in the half-ton pickup in 1938. For this model and year only GMC
now used a different smaller flat head six-cylinder. It came from the
Pontiac car division and is said to even have the Pontiac Indian head
symbol cast in the right side of the engine block. It had 223 cubic
inches. The 230 was retained on GMCs larger than 1/2-tons.
Few of these light duty GMC survive
today. They not only experienced the usual heavy work jobs as trucks,
but with World War II new truck shortages meant few GMCs were set idle
in storage.
