1975
Click on the images below  to view the showroom brochures

A Limited Edition Light Truck from GMC
Front

Overview

Amenities

     With a limited run of only 4000* produced nation wide, the Beau James remains distinctive in styling and overall good looks.

 

     In almost all respects, the Beau James is a standard Sierra Classic Chassis.  It is a 3/4 ton frame, but sprung on a soft 1/2 ton suspension, giving it a very comfortable ride.  Amenities such as velour seats, full instrumentation, cruse, tilt and air conditioning set it as a more of a luxury truck of the time.

 3/4 ton Sierra Classic 15 chassis
1/2 ton axles (5 Lug)
Short and Long-bed versions
454cid 4bbl or 350cid 4bbl
Optional Factory installed Trailer Harness
Cruise Control
Air Conditioning
Power Brakes
"Comfortilt" Steering Wheel
Full Instrumentation
Front Bumper Guards
Glide Out Spare Tire Carrier
Driving Lights
Bed Rails
Back

Distinctive Identifiers

Beau James Hood Ornament

Beau James Floor Mats

Chrome/Red/Blue Decal on bed

Wire-look hubcaps

My Beau James
I have been unable to find out much more about this limited edition truck.  Mine was produced at the GMC plant in Fremont CA, while I have been told they were also built in  Flint MI.
 Article in 4x4 Magazine

With a GMC's Big Block 454, factory trailer wiring, and optional 3.70 gearing, this Beau has no trouble reminding you she has more that just good looks!
Many have asked me about Paint Codes.  Here is what I found (I have a photocopy from a Paint Book. It is of unknown origin, but also references the term "Image Maker II", which I assume to be a color standard system of some type?)
Color Fisher Code Ditzler Rinshed Mason Du Pont
Silver 5140 32537 A-1845 5510
Blue 5230 2672 A-2273 42878 (Verified in '96)

beau_mats2.jpg (113134 bytes)

beau_mats3.jpg (114437 bytes)

beau_mats4.jpg (92638 bytes)

 

Gotta love eBay!  I was given the chance to buy "New in the box" Hood Ornament and Floor mats for my Beau.  Doubt I'll ever use them, but I suspect the opportunity to find mint parts like this is very very rare! (Yeash, I hope my son appreciates this stuff when he get older!)

Links of Interest
Quality Reproduction Decals Jim Osborn Reproductions. 
Restoration and Parts Golden State Restoration Parts.
Good all-around Chevy Truck info Chuck Chevy Truck pages
Another Beau James Website
Wanted:  Missing OEM parts!
        Wire-look Hubcaps
Note:  If you have any of the Distinctive items such as hood ornaments, floor mats, or hub caps that you would be interested in parting with, Please contact me!
RVTUCKER at IX dot NETCOM dot COM
* 4x4 Magazine

Class Action Information
Additional note: This series of truck has been the target of a class action law suit settled in July of 1996.  The suit references the unsafe placement of the fuel tank on the outside of the frame, causing a high death rate from fires after a side impact.

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Last updated March 17, 2007