GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

factorystock · 11-07-2009, 03:08 PM

GMC had special promotion trucks too. Here is a "CONTENDER" truck from 1971. In the mid 70's the had the "Gentleman Jim" and "Beau James". The factory built a special run of identical trucks at a special savings to the public.Sound familiar?

**leddzepp** · 11-07-2009, 03:14 PM

There was a guy at Brothers truck show this year that had a "Gentleman Jim" truck. He was parked close to me and he gave me a lot of background on his truck. I think it was a '77, IIRC. Cool stuff!

prg machine · 11-07-2009, 03:22 PM

I heard something crazy about an Eddi Bauer edition in green and tan ( Forest colors) What are people thinking anyway?

Was it Ford that had a Harley Davidson edition?

What's the point anyway??

Better yet: who exactly is Eddie Bauer and what does he have to do with trucks?

prg machine · 11-07-2009, 03:25 PM

Take a close look at the hood / fender line on the truck just behind the guy at the left of the tailgate photo!!

I don't feel so bad about my mismatches now.

mbgmike · 11-07-2009, 03:35 PM

I remember those now that you reminded me. One of the plumping companies in my home town had two of those with the Koenig style beds on them painted to match.

mbgmike · 11-07-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prg machine

I heard something crazy about an Eddi Bauer edition in green and tan ( Forest colors) What are people thinking anyway?

Was it Ford that had a Harley Davidson edition?

What's the point anyway??

Better yet: who exactly is Eddie Bauer and what does he have to do with trucks?

What does Harley and King Ranch have to do with trucks?

100gold · 11-07-2009, 03:44 PM

I'd be curious as to what the spid says regarding these trucks. Is there an option code?

watahyahknow · 11-07-2009, 04:10 PM

the term we have for that is : stickertuning

**mikey531** · 11-07-2009, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leddzepp

There was a guy at Brothers truck show this year that had a "Gentleman Jim" truck. He was parked close to me and he gave me a lot of background on his truck. I think it was a '77, IIRC. Cool stuff!

The Gentleman Jim was only made in 1975. It came with A/C, 8 -track, and 350 it was a long bed bucket seats, console, Cibie running lights a tonneau cover Black and Gold paint custom rubber floor mats, and Gentleman Jim graphics on the bed. I traded in a 1971 bronze short box fleetside pickup with 250 six and 3 on the tree. Here are some pictures of mine.

**leddzepp** · 11-07-2009, 09:03 PM

Yup! That's the one! His looked exactly like that, so I guess it was a '75

big_al_71 · 11-07-2009, 09:52 PM

wow cool picts, info etc..thks for sharing I learned something new today..

Zoomin · 11-07-2009, 10:02 PM

Who exactly is Gentleman Jim and what does he have to do with trucks?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentleman_Jim

Beu James was a wrestler. Contenders.

ChevLoRay · 11-07-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoomin

Who exactly is Gentleman Jim and what does he have to do with trucks?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentleman_Jim

Beu James was a wrestler. Contenders.

Uhhh, "Jim" was a take on the Jimmy nickname that GMC had been called for years. Seems like Rockford Files was on the tube at the time that the Gentleman Jim package came out. The Beau James edition was blue/white, as I recall. I have a friend who was in the "house note" car business and he bought a repo'd '76 Black/Gold Silverado Chevy LWB in '78, for $900. He recently sold it for $1000, but it wasn't anything you'd want. It was still running, but had been repainted in black and the gold part was Fords' Colonial White. The interior was still the original, but worn out....buckskin colored vinyl bench seat. Not the buckets that were in the one above. Come to think of it, it was a Chevy, not a GMC but it was colored just like the Gentleman Jim above. So, what did Chevy call their version? I remember the Spirit of '76 White trucks with blue/red interior as well as the Big 10 and Heavy Half trucks.

As for the Contender package I remember seeing some Chevy/GMC's with the green and gold/yellow paint combo but didn't see anything with a Contender decal.

67ChevyRedneck · 11-07-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prg machine

Take a close look at the hood / fender line on the truck just behind the guy at the left of the tailgate photo!!

I don't feel so bad about my mismatches now.

It just looks to me like the hoods been popped and not pushed back down.

rscam · 11-07-2009, 11:03 PM

I think the blue and silver is a Beau James. The black and gold were the Gentleman Jims. That Blue and silver looks like it says Beau James to me. Although I can't read it the letters on the side are farther back than the Jim truck.

Ilike 72"s · 11-07-2009, 11:14 PM

I was looking at a 1967 GMC pickup that the guy said was a Burl Ives edition. I think I can find a picture.--Dennis

rogergodding · 11-07-2009, 11:19 PM

now I know why GMC's have four eyes!!!

**special-K** · 11-07-2009, 11:22 PM

I don`t believe I`ve ever heard of the Contenders.The newer ones,yes.

What do the Sierra Grandes or the Cheyenne Indian tribe or a city in WY have to do with trucks?BTW,Eddie Bauer is an out door garment and sleeping bag outfitter known,originally,for fine goose down products.

Ilike 72"s · 11-07-2009, 11:48 PM

found the pictures of the Burl Ives edition. Has the Christmas look with the plad valve covers.

Todd327 · 11-08-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilike 72"s

found the pictures of the Burl Ives edition. Has the Christmas look with the plad valve covers.

Please tell me this is a joke. If there really is a Burl Ives Edition of our truck I may have a new sick obsession on my hands. I must have one!
Oh-Oh! I have been had! http://www.6066gmcguy.org/GMCplaid.htm

1969 GMC · 11-08-2009, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prg machine

I heard something crazy about an Eddi Bauer edition in green and tan ( Forest colors) What are people thinking anyway?

Was it Ford that had a Harley Davidson edition?

What's the point anyway??

Better yet: who exactly is Eddie Bauer and what does he have to do with trucks?

better yet? what does your post have to do with the OP?

the eddie bauer is/was offered on Fords. I used to have a '96 F150 with the "eddie bauer" package, which (as far as i could tell) was the same as a normal F150, but had eddie bauer decals on the sides and an eddie bauer emblem on the dashboard. it was a straight six/5 speed/4x4 truck, not many frills except pw, pdl, and a/c.

eddie bauer is a faux-outdoorsy clothing store, although i think they USED to make actual camping stuff. one of my friends has an eddie bauer backpack (the kind with the frame and hipbelt for actual trekking) but it is from at least the late 70's.

weasel29gm · 11-08-2009, 07:43 AM

Bought a 77 LUV, that had the ''Mighty Mike'' package. I didn't know who "Mike'' was and nothin' "Mighty'' about the truck!!! LOL!! Stickers and stripes don't make a ride

Longhorn Man · 11-08-2009, 09:21 AM

wow.... can we get any further off topic?
umm... i have mooneyes stickers on my suburban.

*Shane* · 11-08-2009, 10:27 AM

Who is Beau James and what does he have to do with trucks?

A truck named after a book? Seriously, a book?

factorystock · 11-08-2009, 11:16 AM

All these special promotion trucks were known as "limited editions". There is no need for the factory to take orders on these trucks because they were already built.The dealer would just sell a "specially equipped" vehicle and a better price than you can buy individually, and throw in some eye candy to promote there brand. This would be the most efficient way of making the whole venture profitable. A win win situtation, the dealer is happy to move the vehicle, and the customer gets a better deal, assuming you like the paint color.

11-07-2009, 03:08 PM	#1
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,353	GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks GMC had special promotion trucks too. Here is a "CONTENDER" truck from 1971. In the mid 70's the had the "Gentleman Jim" and "Beau James". The factory built a special run of identical trucks at a special savings to the public.Sound familiar? Attached Images

11-07-2009, 03:14 PM	#2
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,981	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks There was a guy at Brothers truck show this year that had a "Gentleman Jim" truck. He was parked close to me and he gave me a lot of background on his truck. I think it was a '77, IIRC. Cool stuff! __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man Last edited by leddzepp; 11-07-2009 at 03:14 PM.

11-07-2009, 03:22 PM	#3
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks I heard something crazy about an Eddi Bauer edition in green and tan ( Forest colors) What are people thinking anyway? Was it Ford that had a Harley Davidson edition? What's the point anyway?? Better yet: who exactly is Eddie Bauer and what does he have to do with trucks? __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

11-07-2009, 03:25 PM	#4
prg machine Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: oregon Posts: 1,069	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks Take a close look at the hood / fender line on the truck just behind the guy at the left of the tailgate photo!! I don't feel so bad about my mismatches now. __________________ 69 K-20 cloned to a 67 with front clip and some other stuff. 383 .040 over Crane roller cam lifters and rockers ,1.6 intake ratio, Open chamber heads, 9.5-1 compression ratio, 2.02 intake valves , Edelbrock performer Air Gap manifold Carter AFB performer 750cfm, MSD ignition, SM465 NP205 4.10 gears:

11-07-2009, 03:35 PM	#5
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks I remember those now that you reminded me. One of the plumping companies in my home town had two of those with the Koenig style beds on them painted to match.

11-07-2009, 03:44 PM	#7
100gold Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Weiser,Idaho Posts: 234	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks I'd be curious as to what the spid says regarding these trucks. Is there an option code?

11-07-2009, 04:10 PM	#8
watahyahknow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the netherlands europe Posts: 4,335	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks the term we have for that is : stickertuning __________________ i got a job again and having fun at it too idea's for the trucks and the order of things to do are taking shape and get closer to being realized , a few more months and i be able to start building for real i complete 2 of the trucks intoo running fashion one custom and one basicly stock the thirth will be sacrificed for parts

11-07-2009, 09:03 PM	#10
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 19,981	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks Yup! That's the one! His looked exactly like that, so I guess it was a '75 __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man Last edited by leddzepp; 11-07-2009 at 09:04 PM.

11-07-2009, 09:52 PM	#11
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks wow cool picts, info etc..thks for sharing I learned something new today.. __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

11-07-2009, 10:02 PM	#12
Zoomin Man of Mini-Talents Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 4,295	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks Who exactly is Gentleman Jim and what does he have to do with trucks? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gentleman_Jim Beu James was a wrestler. Contenders. Last edited by Zoomin; 11-07-2009 at 10:10 PM.

11-07-2009, 11:03 PM	#15
rscam Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Monroe,Georgia Posts: 313	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks I think the blue and silver is a Beau James. The black and gold were the Gentleman Jims. That Blue and silver looks like it says Beau James to me. Although I can't read it the letters on the side are farther back than the Jim truck.

11-07-2009, 11:14 PM	#16
Ilike 72"s Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: eastern oregon Posts: 623	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks I was looking at a 1967 GMC pickup that the guy said was a Burl Ives edition. I think I can find a picture.--Dennis

11-07-2009, 11:19 PM	#17
rogergodding Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sachse, Texas Posts: 614	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks now I know why GMC's have four eyes!!!

11-07-2009, 11:22 PM	#18
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks I don`t believe I`ve ever heard of the Contenders.The newer ones,yes. What do the Sierra Grandes or the Cheyenne Indian tribe or a city in WY have to do with trucks?BTW,Eddie Bauer is an out door garment and sleeping bag outfitter known,originally,for fine goose down products. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-07-2009, 11:48 PM	#19
Ilike 72"s Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: eastern oregon Posts: 623	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks found the pictures of the Burl Ives edition. Has the Christmas look with the plad valve covers. Attached Images



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11-08-2009, 07:43 AM	#22
weasel29gm SLOW BUT SURE,BUT CLOSER Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: eleanor wv usa Posts: 3,091	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks Bought a 77 LUV, that had the ''Mighty Mike'' package. I didn't know who "Mike'' was and nothin' "Mighty'' about the truck!!! LOL!! Stickers and stripes don't make a ride __________________ 69 C-10, OWNED 35YRS... 350 over 30, 350 Turbo, 3:73 Posi P/S, P/B Black with red and black int. ''LOVE THESE OLD ''TRUCKS.......

11-08-2009, 09:21 AM	#23
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks wow.... can we get any further off topic? umm... i have mooneyes stickers on my suburban.

11-08-2009, 10:27 AM	#24
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks Who is Beau James and what does he have to do with trucks? A truck named after a book? Seriously, a book? Last edited by Shane; 11-08-2009 at 10:28 AM.

11-08-2009, 11:16 AM	#25
factorystock Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: west coast Posts: 3,353	Re: GMC rare "CONTENDER" trucks All these special promotion trucks were known as "limited editions". There is no need for the factory to take orders on these trucks because they were already built.The dealer would just sell a "specially equipped" vehicle and a better price than you can buy individually, and throw in some eye candy to promote there brand. This would be the most efficient way of making the whole venture profitable. A win win situtation, the dealer is happy to move the vehicle, and the customer gets a better deal, assuming you like the paint color.

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