Drivers may not be able to find this SUV at their local GMC dealership, but that doesn’t stop the most determined enthusiasts from pursuing their own goals. Get inspired by the story of the new GMC Jimmy.

Custom Automakers Take Advantage of a Missed Opportunity

Some readers may remember the original GMC Jimmy fondly. Introduced in 1970 and available at any GMC dealership, the Jimmy blazed trails across the country as one of America’s favorite SUVs until 1991.

Only true automotive enthusiasts are likely to have heard of the new GMC Jimmy GM had in development for just a year. Although the company began teasing its release in 2017, the idea was officially axed well before release.

What Was the New GMC Jimmy?

The new GMC Jimmy would have become a serious rival for the Ford Bronco and other midsize off-road SUVs. The body-on-frame model was going to feature a V8 engine, putting it a step ahead when it came to power.

Described internally as “bold and capable,” the SUV was designed to utilize a new platform, the GMT 32XX, a variation on which is now used only for pickups like the GMC Canyon and the Chevy Colorado.

The new Jimmy’s designers matched form to function and created a bold-looking SUV that looked as aggressive as it could have performed on the trails. The body featured a four-window style, wide C-pillar, and short rear overhang not seen in today’s SUVs.

Why GM Canceled Its Plans

The primary problem with the new GMC Jimmy had nothing to do with its style or capability and everything to do with timing. In 2018, the project began to face opposition from within. The company’s higher-ups felt it wasn’t in line with GM’s current push toward electrification.

To be fair, the reworked SUV would have been a gas-guzzler with its powerful V8 beneath the hood, and it might have seemed out of place at the GMC dealership among the newly electrified milieu. However, that doesn’t stop off-road enthusiasts from knowing it was a missed opportunity.

One Custom Automaker’s Response

Flat Out Autos took the idea proposed and then axed by GM and ran with it, creating a new custom Jimmy for display at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show.

They built the custom Jimmy on the T1 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado and, of course, included a 5.3L V8 beneath the hood. Technically, the independent custom automaker created a 2-door conversion truck rather than a genuine GMC Jimmy.

How to Get a Real GMC Jimmy

Drivers are unlikely to get their hands on a custom-built Jimmy, and if they do, it won’t be a true GMC. However, that doesn’t mean they have no options.

Some GMC enthusiasts, inspired by the company’s short-lived project, seek out low-mileage older GMC Jimmy models. This approach can create unique challenges, given their age.

For most drivers, the better alternative is to visit the GMC dealership to evaluate more conventional, modern trucks and SUVs.