77-79 GMC Sierra Classic Puzzle

[Ghazi67]

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..



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

[Stewart G Griffin]

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?

[Ghazi67]

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 !!


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 

[Captkaos]

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.