Incredible 1971 GMC Sierra Grande Restored by Students
If you’re worried that the younger generations don’t care about old trucks, here’s proof that our hobby is in good hands after all!
It’s easy to assume that young folks these days just don’t have much interest in fixing up old trucks. Heck, many don’t have interest in vehicles, period. But we know for a fact that there are at least a few talented young people out there keeping our favorite hobby alive. Because this student-restored 1971 GMC Sierra Grande 1500 is concrete proof that automotive passion and talent still exists in the newer generations.
The uniquely optioned truck was fully restored by Matt Murphy and Alex Ramsier, both students at McPherson College. The duo spent over 600 hours on the truck over a mere eight months. We don’t know how their final grade turned out, but we’d say the results of their labor are well worth an A+ in McPherson’s Automotive Restoration program. Murphy spent most of his college years fixing up and selling vehicles, but calls this GMC Sierra, completed just before graduation, his crowning achievement.
Aside from the student’s excellent work, this particular truck is quite notable for a number of reasons. You don’t see a lot of Sierras equipped with the top-level Grande trim, for starters. Only 62,000 miles show on the odometer. It sports nice options like factory air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes. And it has a fantastic powertrain combo consisting of a 402 big block, Turbo 400 transmission, and 12-bolt rear end.
The truck wasn’t perfect by any means when Murphy and Ramsier got their hands on it. Typical rust plagued the cab corners and rocker panels, which necessitated replacement of both. But otherwise, all the sheetmetal and mechanicals are original. The pair did lower the truck two inches and bolt on a set of ET mag wheels and fat tires. But they retained the original wheels and wheel covers in case the new owner wants to swap them back on. Now, the truck is headed to Mecum’s Kansas City auction. Where we’re sure it’ll bring enough money to help these graduates pay off some of those crazy student loans!
Photos: Mecum Auctions
