Student-Restored 1971 GMC Sierra Grande 1500 to Be Sold at Mecum’s Kansas City Auction This Month
With Mecum’s Kansas City auction rapidly approaching, it is time to take a look at some of the offerings! This 1971 GMC Sierra Grande is a factory big-block truck that has been fully restored. McPherson College students Matt Murphy and Alex Ramsier spent 600 hours doing a complete frame-off restoration of this truck between September of 2016 and April of 2017. Murphy, skilled both in auto mechanics and auto body repairs, spent much of his college career successfully repairing and selling damaged vehicles to hone his skills and turn a profit. McPherson College has a unique four-year Automotive Restoration program that gives students an experience that can’t be had anywhere else, but by doing repairs outside of class some students are able to advance their skills even further. This GMC was Murphy’s crowning achievement during college with completion reached just before his graduation in May 2017. Now in immaculate condition, this truck is being offered at the Kansas City auction on March 16–17, 2018.
The Sierra Grande trim package was top of the line in 1971, with no higher trim available. Thus, this truck has the wood grain gauge cluster and glove box door. As can be seen here, no detail has been spared in this restoration and the interior has been refinished to factory specifications. It is believed that this Sierra Grande has 62,000 original miles since new. Furthermore, it has factory air conditioning.
During this era, a 402 big-block Chevrolet V8 was an option in these trucks. The 402 was essentially a modified 396 big-block and is a very cool option, seen less often than small-blocks. The engine in this truck is the date code correct 402 hooked up to a date code correct Turbo 400 automatic transmission. This truck is also equipped with power steering and power brakes, something that is taken for granted now but was once optional!
This GMC has been restored back to original specifications in every way except for being lowered two inches, which suits it quite well. The 12-bolt rear end puts the power to the ground through fat rear tires mounted on period-correct ET mag wheels. An original set of wheels and wheel covers will be sold along with the truck. Most of the sheet metal on this truck is original with replacement of cab corners and rocker panels, which are the two most typical rust areas on these trucks.
After eight long months of work, Murphy is excited to see this truck go to auction where it will find a new home. He credits Alex Ramsier (’19) and Emerson Vasquez (’17) with most of the help he received, with countless others helping get the job done on time. McPherson College has been teaching students the art of restoration since 1976 and will be hosting the 19th Annual McPherson College C.A.R.S. Club Show on May 5, 2018. More information on the school can be found here.
Photos: Mecum
Sources: Mecum, Matt Murphy
View all GMC Sierras for sell at My Classic Garage.
To receive stories in your inbox every week, sign up for our weekly newsletterhere.
Check out the more than 8,000 car listings on My Classic Garage.
Click here for information on financing for classic cars from Woodside Credit.
Click here for information on collector car insurance from TDC Risk Management.
Click here for information on transporting classic cars from Plycar.
