1950 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup Pickup

Chevrolet truck dealers began selling their new 'Advanced Design' light-duty pickup in June of 1947. These were the first genuinely new trucks to reach the market in the post-war era. The company had done extensive research into what business owners wanted in a new truck. The new Advanced Design Era truck was penned by Chevrolet's designers and given a completely welded cab that was seven inches longer and eight inches wider.

One of the most prominent feature was the modernized cab, with its almost full-width hood, passenger car-styled front grille and integrated headlights. It was given the first three-man seat that was fully adjustable. In the front was a new, larger windshield that featured bigger side and rear windshield, which greatly improved safety and drivability. Entry and exit was made easier by higher and wider cab doors.
The new Chevrolet trucks featured a fresh-air heater/defroster system that brought fresh air in the cab and forced used air out through vents at the rear of the cab. The cargo beds were also bigger with lower opening gates which made loading and unloading easier.

The 216.5 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine was modified in 1950, resulting in a boost of horsepower to 92 BHP at 3400 RPM and 176 ft-lbs.

Sale of these trucks continued until March 25th, 1955, when an all-new early V8 pickup truck was announced by Chevrolet. During its production lifespan, sales were strong and there was little need for year-to-year changes. During its seven-year lifespan, it remained mostly unchanged.

This particular example has been given a frame-up build with a later-production 235 CID inline-6 engine mated to a three-speed manual transmission. It is finished in Chevrolet Swift Red paint with a beltline Ivory pinstripe. It has a chrome grille, chrome bumper, bumper guards, outside mirror, running board trim and step pads, and rides on wide whitewall tires with chromed hub caps and trim rings. Inside, there is a brown interior. The carbo bed features highly varnished Golden Oak flooring and stainless-steel strips.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2016