Hello welcome to my web page. My name is Dave Cunningham and I am restoring a 1955 GMC Suburban Carrier Pickup. I am bringing this truck back to its showroom condition (well maybe a few touches that aren't original).
Also there are original 1955-59 magazine ads, GMC sales literature and other Suburban Carrier Pickups.

I hope you enjoy this site.
Dave

GMC Suburban Carrier Truck History

Here is a little history of the GMC Suburban Carrier Pickup truck, a cousin of the Chevy Cameo Truck. The Cameo trucks have Fiberglas fender sides mounted on a steel cargo box and a hidden spare tire compartment located in the middle of the rear bumper. The tailgate supported by retractable cables with tailgate latches mounted on the inside of the bed. Fiberglas was chosen due the speed in which these trucks could be brought into production. GM already using a company to make the Corvette body makes the move to Fiberglas an easy one. Alternative explanation is that GM promised a certain amount of work for the company that made the Corvette body along with a lack of Corvette sales helped in choosing the Fiberglas for the Cameo.
GMC’s Cameo version was based on the deluxe cab and used the Chevy Cameo pickup bed. GMC did not use any side trim on the bed sides. A factory option code(RPO 0162 body 1768 bed with 1755 deluxe cab) turned it into a Suburban Carrier Pickup. Poor sales kept production numbers low...fifties buyer just wanted trucks and could not justify the added cost.

GMC Suburban Carrier Pickup

GMC made somewhere around 1000 of these trucks in four years this makes them rare, in 1955 around 300 (Special Interest Autos #95)were made. GMC used different running gear than the Chevy trucks and the interiors were different. The 6 cyl motors were GMC and the V8 motors were Pontiac design Pontiac has always had a relationship with GMC and in 1955 the new Pontiac V8 motor was shared with them. A 288 cubic inch motor was used in the trucks and 1955 is the start a long run with this motor for Pontiac.
  My truck came from the factory with a 288 coupled to a four speed Hydra-Matic transmission and I am restoring it with this combination it is a New England truck and was made in Pontiac Michigan.

Restoration

Restoring this truck has had some challenges the seat upholstery was hard to find the rear motor mount had been removed for a different motor installation. The cab was a rusty mess and I had to make some of the sheet metal pieces. Rust had also consumed the rear steel box to the point of no return luckily new steel is available except the tailgate. The drive shaft was missing but a GMC parts book gave me the dimensions for one and I was able to get it reproduced.
A deluxe cab is on this truck (not all GMC Suburban Carrier Trucks had this) so it has the stainless trim, which is in good shape. Task force (GMC Ads refer to them as Blue Chip Trucks) GMC trucks from the mid fifties used a lot of steel for the front bumper and being a deluxe truck chrome is everywhere. I have strayed from a stock restoration with the addition of stainless skid strips, cherry wood for the bed and radial tires. I am doing the majority of the work my self the motor and transmission were rebuilt by professionals. Chrome plating has been a major expense on this truck over fifty pieces went out some items needed pits to be filled in first.
Finally this is a hobby for me and I work on it when I can. I have built a new house and have moved the truck is on the back burner for a while still needs some paint work.
Enjoy this site and if you find any inaccuracies please feel free to email.

Thanks Dave!