If you’re a big fan of Chevy trucks, then you’re like not unfamiliar with this style of Chevrolet, seeing as it set such a high standard in the early 1950’s. The wider, more comfortable cabs and integrated headlights were just the beginning of a new and highly valued way in which Chevy vehicles were being designed.

Often referred to as the “Advanced Design” or “Advanced Style”, this was General Motor’s first post-war vehicles. It was also America’s first new post-war truck.

What is known today as the “1950’s Chevy truck” actually began in:

1947

At this time, the Advanced Design Chevy truck was being designed in two different models, the:

½ ton trucks – identifiable by the numbers 3100
¾ ton trucks – identifiable by the numbers 3600

These model numbers could be found on both sides of the vehicle’s hood.

Most of the qualities found in Chevy’s prior motor designs were preserved in both of these models, however, they were built upon with various improvements, including:

The hand-choke being able to activate a carb-mounted fast-idle cam, which enhanced cold-engine drivability
A new kind of precision-type main bearings being used, rather than the old and outdated ream-fit ones
Leather pistons being kept wet due to the carburetor accelerator pump having been moved into the float bowl

With these recent innovations, the new and improved Advanced Design Chevy truck sold quickly and widely, and quickly climbed its way to the top of the market. Further innovations were made to its design as time progressed, most of which were focused on cosmetics and improved comfort for the driver and passengers. One example would be the gear-shift being relocated, allowing more leg room. The gas tanks were also moved from their frame-mounted locations into the cab in upright positions, giving occupants more space. In terms of cosmetics, consumers found that the grille bar’s inner surfaces were now painted white, with pinstripes having been removed from the outer bars.

1950-1955

Here we see the 1950’s Chevy truck undergoing many different innovations. These include:

Rear quarter windows to improve visibility
An increase in load bearing capacities
Tube type shocks replacing outdated lever-action ones
16 inch tubed tires (available in 3 body lengths)
Stronger connecting rods
Aluminum pistons
Stronger crankshaft
235-cid engines to replace the 216-cid motors
Horizontal top rails
Full-pressure lubrication
A redesigned dashboard with twin instrument dials
A new cargo box with lower loading height
A single-piece curved windshield
Bed sides being taller than the previous ones

Other innovations include the 3600 model’s bed length being stretched to roughly three inches – an innovation that would be found in the 1950’s Chevy truck all the way into the 1980’s.

In 1954, the 1950’s Chevy Truck saw the installation of automatic transmission, which was the first case of automatic transmission in all of Chevy’s history.

Today

With a rich history of innovation and a level of style and character unseen in other vehicles, the 1950’s Chevy truck is highly valued by many people today. Many people also decide to restore and update these vehicles so as to ensure their longevity in the modern age.