1952 GMC Other

Manual

34208

What an incredible time-warp, museum-piece, one-of-a-kind, near rust-free, barn-find, survivor, etc., example of a Korean War vintage, US Army surplus ambulance turned school bus, 1952 GMC Half ton truck. This beautiful 1952 GMC spent much of it's life in olive-drab military colors operating as an ambulance. In what part of the world, I do not know. Perhaps someone out there can help me decipher the Nomenclature Plate (pics attached). After that, the Nebo School District of Nephi, Utah purchased it and painted it yellow for use as a rural school bus. Below is some further history I found on an old blog from the guy who bought it from the school district... "I bought this car in 1977. Built in 1952 by GMC it had been an army ambulance during the Korean Conflict and then a school bus for Nebo School District in Nephi, Utah. When I drove it over to my parent’s home my dad asked, “Where did you get that hippie car?" After that it was always known as The Hippie. I drove The Hippie all over the west hauling pots to craft fairs and camping. It was a fine ride. Six cylinders with three speed shifter on the column. Sometime in the nineties she fell into disuse and has sat around since then becoming home to stray cats and wasps. Lee has convinced me to let her go to someone who will restore her the way she deserves. I guess I’ll have to start looking for a good home for the old hippie car." His name is still on the open title I have in my possession so it's first civilian owner had it for 33 years (1977-2010). And the wasps are long gone. It eventually found it's way to Manti, Utah where my son found it and brought her south to St. George, Utah where it now resides. After a new battery and some minor tinkering, she started right up and now we drive her around regularly. What an awesome driver... wow!! It is SO obvious that this beauty was maintained religiously it's entire life. It's got a great running, original, GMC Stovebolt Six and a very smooth shifting three on the tree manual transmission running through the original rear differential. Steering and brakes work great and she tracks straight and true. The only mechanical downside is a leaking front right wheel cylinder that necessitates topping off the near-new master cylinder every few days. Tires are older and have tubes in them. They hold air fine and are good for local driving but show some cracking. The interior is in very solid, original condition. It's still got the stock ambulance/school bus front seats, some of the headliner, all gauges (they work too, other than speedo/odo), buttons, and knobs, and working high/low beam headlights. Parking brake works as well. Glass is good other than passenger side door roll-up window. Also included are 3 of four trim panel frames for the upholstery panels that attach with sheet metal screws below the four sliding side windows. Floor boards and kick panels are very close to rust-free and there is no other rust (other than surface) anywhere inside the passenger compartment. Re the body, I think it's beautiful. Talk about a patina that only 60 years of Mother Nature could create. Only one School Bus Yellow respray over what I think is the original Olive Drab. It's a very solid and tight vehicle with the only rattles being the window mechanisms in the doors. Some of the fender edges near the running boards have very minor rust-through and there are several small, easily repairable rust holes right above the drivers side rear fender (please see pics). Other than that, the body is awesome and all the trim pieces are still attached. This incredible 1952 GMC Ambulance / School bus is an awesome find. it's a wonderful basis for a full-blown restoration because it's so original and complete. It also could be enjoyed as is as a great Preservation Class daily driver because of it's impressive mechanical condition. Either way, it sure is an amazing ride. I hope it finds a good home. My name is Chris and I would be happy to answer your questions. Please call me at 435-669-1470. I also have tons of additional pictures. Please send me your email address and I will send them promptly. This GMC is located in the dry, desert community of St. George, UT (about 100 miles north of Las Vegas). Thank you very much for your interest.