FEATURE – 1955 Chevrolet 3100 First Series
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Road Rage Industries
Like the first F-Series pickups from Ford, the 1940s and ’50s trucks from Chevrolet are a favourite with enthusiasts today. But a quirk of Chevy’s pickup development back then meant that, in 1955, two very different-looking pickups were available.
Chevrolet’s first all-new truck design since 1941, the ‘Advance Design’ range was launched in 1947 and available as a 1/2-ton (3100), 3/4-ton (3600) or 1-ton (3800) pickup. Along with larger 1 1/2-ton and 2-ton trucks, plus other variants, the Advance Design range kept Chev at the top of the US market. The trio of pickups were the volume sellers, though, accounting for more than half of Chev’s entire truck output.
Initially, a 216ci inline six and three-speed column-shift manual transmission were standard for all Chev pickups, but a 235ci six was added late in the Advance Design’s lifespan, along with a heavy-duty three-speed manual, four-speed manual and even a four-speed automatic. The latter was first offered in 1954, when Chevy pickups also got a makeover.
Refined for ’54
Introduced in December, 1953, the new look for Chevrolet’s light- and medium-duty truck range saw the grille fitted with a chunky trio of horizontal bars, along with an equally thick central vertical bar. Many think these pickups came with chrome bumpers and grilles as standard, but this was not the case - chrome trim was an option that very few Chevy truck buyers selected in the early 1950s.
Of more importance back then were new features like the one-piece windscreen, lower load bed and an upgrade to the ‘Thriftmaster’ 235ci six that produced around 112hp and 200lb/ft (83kW and 271Nm). A Deluxe cab option featured additional windows in the rear corners (leading such trucks to be known as ‘5-window’ models), stainless steel window trim and some interior “luxuries”.
In this form, the Advance Design pickups carried on into 1955, but were only on sale for the first three months of that year before they were replaced by the ‘Task Force’ range that not only bought an all-new look, but features that were new to Chev trucks, like a V8 engine and slab-sided (instead of step-sided) trays. These differences between the old and new led to the ‘First Series’ and Second Series’ monikers you see when reading about Chevrolet trucks and pickups from 1955.
Texas Treat
The 3100 pickup featured is a First Series Deluxe cab from 1955 and has been in Australia for a little over two and a half years at time of writing. Its early history in the US is unknown, but when it was listed for sale with a multi-franchise classic car specialist in Texas three years ago, it had already been extensively modified.
Key changes included a 350 V8 crate motor and 700 R4 four-speed automatic, along with a 10-bolt diff and cruise-friendly gearing. A performance intake manifold and Holley four-barrel carb was bolted to the 350, along with some dress-up parts and a serpentine belt system. A BeCool alloy radiator was also fitted, along with a custom exhaust system and Xlerator mufflers that deliver a nice note.
A front brake upgrade to discs ensured stopping power matched the increased performance, while independent suspension up front and a four-link arrangement at the rear (both lowered), rack and pinion power steering and a set of Ridler alloys front and rear were also fitted.
The headlights were upgraded, while at the rear, a roll pan incorporating Corvette-style quad tail lights was fitted (a popular touch in the ’90s and early ’00s). The tailgate was reskinned, with custom lining fitted to the pickup bed, along with a lockable tool cabinet and hard case for the spare wheel.
In the cabin, changes included fitting a leather trimmed bench seat with split tilting uprights and a fold-down centre armrest. A tilt-adjustable steering column, custom switchgear, custom pedals, a Grant GT steering wheel and a set of white-face Classic Instruments gauges were also fitted, along with air conditioning.
It’s not obvious in the images shown here, but this pickup was repainted in a vivid purple as part of its US makeover, with less than 3,000 miles covered with its new drivetrain before it came to Australia in early 2022.
Oz Upgrades
Once in Australia, this pickup saw its purple paint covered with a matte black wrap and the door handles, window trim and other selected exterior parts blacked out to match. The metallic grey (painted) grille bars and bumpers remain, though, as do those satin black Ridler wheels, but the tyres have been given faux white stripes.
Disc brakes on the rear wheels are the only major engineering change made locally, with the 350, four-speed auto, diff and suspension all unchanged from the US build.
Local mods to the cabin have included tinting the windows, replacing the Grant wheel with a unit from a 1955/56 Chev passenger car and adding a period-look radio. The Classic Instruments gauges have been swapped out for a pair from Dakota Digital that better suit this pickup’s style.
As offered for sale (see breakout), there’s still a few minor issues to address in the cabin, like fitting door cards and completing the floor lining.
Cool Cruiser
Queensland mod plated in March, 2022, this custom Chev pickup has been used sparingly since, mainly around northern NSW and southern Queensland.
Currently on consignment with Road Rage Industries in Clontarf (QLD), it’s ready to cruise, make an impression at car shows or serve as a promotional vehicle for a business. If you’re a fan of purple, strip off the wrap and you’ve got a real ‘look at me’ machine, too!
Sure, there are options out there when it comes to early post-war Chev pickups, but few match the impact of this one.
FOR SALE
Available through Road Rage Industries, this Chev pickup is a standout with its lowered stance, modern running gear and comfortable interior. The black exterior wrap covers purple paint.
Mechanically complete and in good condition overall, the new owner needs nothing but to get in and drive.
Asking price has been reduced to $75,990.
Available from Road Rage Industries, QLD. Click HERE for more details.
