1985 GMC 1500

Rio Rancho, New Mexico

$20,000

Vehicle Details

Make

GMC

Model

1500

Year

1985

Exterior Color

Yellow

Interior Color

Tan

Transmission

Automatic

Drivetrain

4WD

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

350 V8

Condition

Good

Description

Up for sale is this 1985 GMC Sierra Classic 1500 square body long bed truck. I have been working on it for over 10 years but it\'s been in the family since 1988! It\'s a definite eye-catcher! This 2-door, single cab truck has the following:\r\n- 4-wheel drive\r\n- automatic\r\n- hitch, saddles tanks, sliding rear window, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, intermittent wipers, AM/FM cassette radio, electric door locks and windows, bed light, and A/C\r\n- since 2010, approximately 30 new interior parts, 16 exterior parts, and 32 chassis parts\r\n- in 2011, new paint (doeskin tan with blue stripe; doeskin tan looks yellow) and Herculiner bed liner\r\n- in 2017, Jasper 350 with Edelbrock intake and Flowmaster dual exhaust; only 20,820 miles on new engine; total of 127,688 miles\r\n- in 2021, 5 new tires \r\n- some additional 60 new parts\r\n

GMC 1500 Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Robert Halloran

Classic Trucks

1960–1998

~3 min read

Updated Apr 2026

The GMC 1500 half-ton has always been the quiet achiever of the classic truck world — built on the same bones as the Chevy C/K but sold as the "professional" option, with distinct styling and a following that fiercely defends the difference.

This guide covers

✓ 8-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 4 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full 1500 Buyer's Guide

GMC 1500 Market Overview

Based on 25 GMC 1500 listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$22,511

Avg. Asking Price

1965–1995

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Average Range

This car: $20,000

Low: $8,995 High: $62,995

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 72% ◄

Manual 16%

Condition Distribution

Excellent 16%

Good 16% ◄

Fair 4%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 25 listings →

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What is this car worth?

Check sold prices for the 1985 GMC 1500

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GMC 1500 Buyer's Guide

Robert Halloran here, and I want to address something up front: yes, the GMC 1500 shares its basic architecture with the Chevrolet C/K 1500. They use the same frame, the same drivetrain options, and until the 1980s they shared most body panels. But ask any devoted GMC person whether they'd settle for a Chevy and watch their expression. The GMC carries a specific identity — a slightly more upmarket positioning, distinct styling elements, and a devoted collector base that treats the trucks as categorically different vehicles.

GMC trucks were sold through Pontiac-GMC dealerships, not Chevrolet dealers, which gave them a different customer profile from the start. They were often ordered by fleets, contractors, and buyers who specifically chose GMC for its perceived quality step-up. That perception was reinforced by subtle but real differences in trim, fit, and finish.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

GMC-Specific Trim — Verify original GMC grille, emblems, and trim are intact — Chevy substitutions are common on repaired trucks.

✓

Cab Corner Rust — Probe cab corners on Squarebody trucks — rust here is nearly universal on untreated examples.

✓

Sierra Grande Authenticity — On claimed Sierra Grande trucks, verify woodgrain trim, carpet, and high-back seats are original.

✓

Rear Cab Mounts (1973+) — Check rear cab mounts on Squarebody trucks for corrosion — causes cab-to-frame cracking.

✓

Engine/Drivetrain Codes — Decode the firewall tag — verify original engine for any claimed big-block or diesel trucks.

✓

Diesel Specifics (6.2L) — On diesel trucks, test glow plug operation, check injection pump for leaks, and verify coolant is clean.

✓

Transfer Case (4WD) — Test 4WD engagement in both high and low — listen for grinding or slipping.

✓

Frame Rails — Inspect frame rails for cracks at spring perches and outrigger welds.

Common Issues

Same as Chevy C/K: cab corner rust on Squarebody era, floor pan perforation, rear cab mount corrosion. Replacement of GMC-specific grille and badging with Chevy parts during repairs. Rare Sierra Grande interior components difficult or impossible to source correctly. 6.2L diesel injection pump failures and glow plug system issues. Transmission wear on high-mileage TH350/TH400 examples.

What to Look For

Inspect for the same structural rust issues as any classic Chevy C/K: cab corners, floor pans, and rear cab mounts on Squarebody trucks. On 1967–1972 examples, verify the GMC-specific grille and trim are original and complete — replacement with Chevy pieces is common on repaired trucks. Check Sierra Grande trim authenticity on claimed luxury models. On diesel-equipped trucks, verify the 6.2L engine hasn't been replaced with a gasoline unit. Confirm drivetrain codes for any claimed big-block trucks.

Price Guide

1967–1972 second-gen GMC 1500: $20,000–$50,000 for good drivers, $55,000–$90,000+ for Sierra Grande quality. 1973–1987 Squarebody: $12,000–$28,000 for drivers, $35,000–$65,000 for quality builds. GMC premium over equivalent Chevy: typically 10–20% for same condition. 4WD adds $3,000–$8,000. Diesel-equipped trucks: add $2,000–$5,000 premium for novelty.

Did You Know?

GMC trucks were sold through Pontiac-GMC dealers from 1968 onward — a completely separate dealer network from Chevrolet. The Sierra name was introduced as a GMC trim level in 1971, decades before it became the truck's full nameplate. GMC offered a factory-installed 6.2L diesel V8 from 1982–1988 — a relatively rare option that has since developed a dedicated following among collectors.

$20,000

Price is negotiable