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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: Ghazi67 on January 30, 2009, 10:01:23 am
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Hello
Everyone over here - in SA - loves the '77-'79 GMC Sierra Classic ( especially those fitted w/ BB mills ) ..
These truck have been around for ages ... there are even some tales about infamous bandits ( as Jesse James in the US ) using such mighty trucks back in the 70s..
(http://www.saudihotwheels.com/mkportal/modules/gallery/album/a_329.jpg)
There have been endless debates about "How strong these trucks are", and one of these debates claims that some of these truck were fitted w/511 CID BB !!
Does anyone here knows if it was ever produced ... I really appreciate some facts & figures
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i'm pretty sure that the largest engine available here in north america was 454 CID. The largest diesel was 379 CID. As you probably know, you can buy a new 502cid, or even 572cid from GM and install it without too much work.
i think a 509/510 engine was available aftermarket. This coupled with the fact that the Saudi Arabia market is different from the N.A. market means it could have been a dealer installed option?
Which brings me to a question for you:
Ghaizi, in your opinion or theory, why do think in your market, a larger RWD caprice(impala) is available. But in our North American market, our caprice (we call it impala) is smaller and front drive?
Also, your lumina is RWD and has 8 cylinders. Our's has always been front drive and the largest engine was 6 cyls.
2) Just out of curiosity, what would someone in Saudi Arabia pay for a 73-87 truck?
a) a 77-96 caprice/impala?
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Hi Stewart ..
Thanks for your prompt reply .. Here are some point to be cleared ..
I know that the 502 & 572 are offered by GM and in the aftermarket, yet my inquiry if the so called 511 was ever produced ( by GM or aftermarket ) during the late 70s ?? Some bro-GMC guys here claim that some of the Highway Patrol and Royal Guard trucks were actually fitted with these engines ( 77-79 )!!!
American cars ( especially GMC trucks ) are similar copies of what U have in the US. Actually dealers never got Chevys prior of 2004, due to an inherited GMC-lover culture five decades ago.
That brings us to your question about the RWD chevys we use these days .. I think the only reason that many of Aussies Cars don't meet the AAA regulation ( which are not that tuff down here ) ... many of these cars as the Holden Commadore ( introduced in SA market as Chevy Lumina ) and Estatesman ( aka Caprice ) don't have the power/weight ratio !!
(http://www.chevroletarabia.com/content_data/LAAM/ME/en/GBPME/001/images/1L_gallery_big10.jpg)
www.chevroletarabia.com (http://www.chevroletarabia.com)
which make it great buy for a mid-size car w/5.7 V8 and 6spd Man. Trans and a "Known Reputation" for instability on the road ... yet guys get it 'coz they love the engine/drivetrain package . Ppl are still attached to the Good 'ol American Cars ( its the culture my friend ).
One more thing ....
These cars are made by Australians ... Yours are made by Americans ...and we are just consumers ... we pay $$ to get them where you have to have yours ... to keep ppl away form joblessness ... I guess that's why they U won't see any holden other than the GTO .
2) About the prices ...
Since there is a month old law prohibits importing older than 5 years old cars, ppl will buy these cars from local market .. ( during my search for a pickup last month .. I have found a Two tone 87 longbed w/454 Man and the guy was asking for $ 14,650 )
Thanks for stopping by Stewart
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The largest motor offered by GM in 1979 for passenger use was a 454. There was no 511. And 1979 was the last year they offered BBC's in them for the US market.