A 1957 GMC Blue Chip 9300 pickup appears regularly on the television series “Heartland.” The trucks were manufactured in Canada and equipped with a Chevrolet powerplant. Photo from imcdb.org

We are counting down the Top 50 hot rods and street cars of all time that have made an appearance in a television series, or a memorable television episode. Starting from #50, and counting down to our #1 pick, follow along with our memories, and see where your favorite show lands.

37. Heartland: 1957 GMC Blue Chip 9300 Truck

Launched in 2007, this country-fried drama is set in a fictional, rural community of Hudson, Alberta Canada – which is why we have a Canadian-made truck on the countdown. In the show, character Ty Borden is the owner of a 1957 GMC Blue Chip 9300 pickup – a throwback that sees plenty of screen time on the Fleming family ranch.

Noted horse whisperer, Marion Fleming and her daughter are in a truck accident during the rescue of an abused horse named Spartan. Unfortunately, Marion is killed, but Amy survives. Left to continue her legacy and to keep the ranch from going under, Marion’s father, grandfather, and Amy’s older sister try to make it work. Ty shows up proclaiming he is there to serve a probation sentence – one the family knew nothing about.

Home On The Range, Or The Rockies

As the successor to the Advance Design trucks, the second series of the Chevrolet Task Force trucks were produced from late 1955 to 1959. At Canadian GMC locations, they were sold as Blue Chip Series. The C/K Series followed.

As a light-duty pickup, the 9300 received a half-ton designation that was used for the GMC marque until at least 1959. Canadian GMC trucks were manufactured at General Motors’ Canadian plant and were available as a front engine RWD or four-wheel-drive.

Three engine choices included: 235 ci inline-six, 265 ci V8, or 283 ci V8, mated to either a three- or four-speed manual or Hydramatic transmission.

General Motors has a rich history in Canada, and can be traced to its initial partnership with carriage maker Sam McLauglin in Oshawa, Ontario. In 1908, he started producing cars with Buick known as McLaughlin-Buick’s. When Chevrolet was established in Canada in 1915, it also was tied to McLauglin as it became part of GM in 1918. The rest, as they say, is history.