The GMC Indy 500 Specials and Indy Haulers (name changed depending on the year) were an interesting and probably the most varied special edition trucks GMC made in 73-87.
For each year General Motors produced the Indianapolis 500 pace car, they also produced the Official Truck. The official trucks were GMCs except when Chevrolet built the pace car; then it was a Chevrolet truck. They used these trucks as tow vehicles, rescue vehicles, general utility vehicles, etc. around the racetrack.
Starting in 1974, undoubtedly wanting to cash in on the previous success of Indy pace car replicas, GMC offered 500 1/2 ton long bed replicas of the Indy 500 Official Trucks.
For 1975, GMC again offered 500 1/2 ton long bed replica trucks. The press release also says the decal packages were available separately to dealers to install on in-stock trucks. The press release also mentions the option of leaving off the Indy 500 wording and using the decal kit for dealers to make special bicentennial trucks.
For 1976, again 500 of the Indy Special replica trucks were produced. GMC also produced another truck that was almost the same as the Indy 500 Special Edition but without the specific lettering making it an Indy truck and instead calling it the Heavy Hauler. The 1976 Indy 500 replica trucks were 3/4 ton long bed wideside trucks and the brochure only indicates that they included the graphics package applied on silver paint.
In 1977, the Indy truck marketing was stepped up greatly. The package was available on 1/2 ton longbed and shortbed wideside trucks in addition to the shortbed fenderside trucks. It included a black truck with a white skunk stripe down the hood, roof and tailgate. There were four colors of gray applied as decals between the two colors in addition to the bold "GMC/Official Truck" lettering, Indianapolis Motor Speedway graphics and red pinstriping down the sides of the truck. The package also included a red interior in High Sierra or Sierra Classic trim, a front spoiler, and PA6 coded white spoke wheels trimmed in a silver vinyl applique.
The 1978 Indy pace car was the Chevrolet Corvette and Chevrolet made some special support trucks. I don't know if replicas were available to the public.
For 1979, Ford made the Indy pace truck to go along with the Ford Mustang Indy pace car.
In 1980, the Pontiac Trans Am was the Indy pace car and the Indy Hauler was released. It was a white truck with Charcoal along the lower 9" or so of the body sides and top of the cab and had a large Firebird graphic (Silver with red accents) applied to the hood. The front spoiler returned and the truck had aluminum rims and a blacked out grill. The bold letters along the bedside also returned for 1980 reading "GMC Indy Hauler" along with the text and Indy graphic on the doors. This edition was also available as a one ton dually (seen in the original "Cannonball Run" movie).
For 1981, 1983 and 1984, GMC Indy Haulers were produced for track service, but I have no information that replica's were sold to enthusiasts.
Indy 500 Special and Indy Hauler Brochures:
1974 Indy 500 Special Ad
1974 Indy 500 Special Brochure Inside
1974 Indy 500 Special Brochure Outside
1976 Indy 500 Special Brochure Inside
1976 Indy 500 Special Brochure Outside
1977 Indy 500 Special Stepside from the 77 brochure.
1980 Indy Hauler Ad
1981 Indy Hauler Ad
1984 Indy Hauler Ad This ad shows all the Indy Haulers. Very cool.
Do you have one of these trucks or any more information? Please email me.
