Phil's Classic Chevys

1955 CHEVY 3100

My original intent was to find a 1957 short bed to go with the ’57 Bel Air and Corvette. After a year or so of looking at ’55 to ’57 pickups (they are essentially the same) I found this one in 2010 near Elkhart, IN.

Many times when talking to a car owner about a potential purchase you are given a story that falls far short when you actually see the vehicle.  At risk of that happening, I took off early one morning on a five hour drive to Elkhart.  When I pulled in the driveway, the owner had the truck parked in front of his garage.  At a distance the truck looked even better than described.

Closer inspection showed the paint to be nearly flawless, the interior in great shape and the oak bed finished to a high level.  The owner also produced documentation in the form of prior registration information that showed the 20,600 miles on the odometer to be correct.  The owner was a very nice retired fellow who had owned a body shop and had done the restoration work himself.  He had done a great job. After a careful inspection and test drive we agreed on a price and I had the car shipped home.

The truck is equipped with the 235 cubic inch Thriftmaster six and a three speed transmission.  Engine and drivetrain casting dates correspond to the truck build date of October 1955.  The truck was originally sold in March of 1956 in Elkhart, IN to a pharmaceutical delivery company.  The vehicle was sold to it’s second owner (the individual that I purchased it from) in 1989.  I am the third owner.

The 1955 model year for Chevy and GMC trucks was split into two.  Since the new models were not yet ready at the beginning of the model year, the 1954 models were carried over as ’55s until March 1, 1955 when the new redesigned models were introduced.  Hence 1955 Chevy trucks were divided into a first and second series.   This truck is a redesigned second series.   The 3100 series is the designation for a half ton short bed.

The second series trucks were the first redesign of Chevy trucks since 1947.    The redesign included running boards inside the cab, available power steering, wrap around windshield, the first V8 (a small block 265), egg crate grill (like the 1955 sedans), and a smooth sided option called Cameo.  Chevy sold 393,000 trucks in 1955.

Shortly after receiving the truck, I discovered a pedal near the kick panel on the left side of the driver’s foot well. It looked like an emergency brake pedal even though it was clear that the emergency brake was a pull handle under the dash.  A local vintage Chevy truck parts dealer told me it was a pedal for the windshield washers.

The washer foot pedal.

Unfortunately the water tank, valve and hoses were missing. After a couple of months of searching I was able to buy what was needed off ebay.   Everything arrived in good shape, and, with the help of a good friend, we were able to get the original $6.25 optional foot operated system working exactly as intended.

Original Six (Washer lower right)

The truck represents the most recent addition to my small collection.  With each purchase it was necessary to be more and more creative with my wife to convince her to go along with my latest whim.  The truck sales pitch included using it as originally intended, to haul things. So the truck has made a couple of trips to Home Depot. When put to use, however, the bed had been protected with layers of towels and blankets.  Also, a condition is that my wife come with me to baby sit the truck in the parking lot.  She reluctantly admits that not only is the truck “cute” but that she has enjoyed the conversations that have ensued while she patiently waits for me to return from the store. The truck draws attention wherever it goes.

The 3100 has proven to be a great running vehicle that drives and shifts smoothly. It does, however, ride like a vintage truck.

The truck was very nice in its own, honest simplicity.  However, I decided to give it some ‘50s flare by adding chrome options that were factory available for the truck when it was new.  The additions included chromed bumpers, hubcaps, trim rings, mirror, and bed strips.  The added chrome made an already very nice truck something worthy of a second look.

Recently I purchased a restored 1947 Schwinn/Whizzer motor bike.  The story of the Whizzer appears elsewhere in the blog.  After enjoying touring the neighborhood on the bike, I decided to mount it in the back of the truck when I take the Chevy to shows.  It has been a real source of curiosity wherever it (they) have gone.