1948 1954 Chevrolet Pickup Vehicle Specifications

By Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and ResearcherImages Courtesy of the Robert Tate Collection and National Automotive History CollectionPublished 8.8 Chevrolet pickup (Robert Tate Collection)In 1948, General Motors introduced a new line of Chevrolet truck designs. Although Chevrolet automobiles were unchanged until 1949, the trucks were beginning to set a new design trend in the industry.The Chevrolet Model ½ pickup was a very popular selling model among consumers. The 1948 Chevy truck designs were so popular that they remained unchanged, except for the front grille styling, through the 1954 model year. The new 1955 models were styled by Charles Jordan, a young and talented GM designer. I always thought that the 1948-1953 Chevrolet 1/2 pickup models offered a timeless design for the consumer market.GM called the 1948 Chevrolet truck model line the “Advance-Design,” which led the truck industry in post-war improvements. Chevrolet’s “Advance-Design” trucks were also called the “Thrift master” and “Loadmaster” models as well.

The pickup truck models offered increased load capacity for the driver. Price guitar by serial number. The tailgate and platform cargo area were very strong when it came to hauling heavy loads. Two engines were used for Chevrolet truck models; for example, the thrift master or loadmaster became very popular with consumers.1948 Chevrolet Canopy Express (Robert Tate Collection)The Canopy Express model was another popular model. It featured a unique way of selling merchandise with easy accessibility to load from the sides or rear. Merchandise was protected by an all-steel body with a one-piece roof design.

Specifications, Part & Services, Museums & Clubs for Antique, Classic, Vintage and Muscle Cars. 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster Series 1500 FJ Coupe Pickup 1948 Chevrolet Stylemaster Series 1500 FJ Sedan Delivery. 1954 Chevrolet BelAir Series 2400C Convertible. The 1954 3100 series truck had a gross vehicle weight of 4,000 lbs and a 1,750-lb. Payload, which includes occupants in the cab and material in the cargo box. The 3100 series with optional 10-leaf springs in the rear had a gross vehicle weight of 4,800 lbs. The 3600 series had a gross vehicle weight up to 6,900 lbs.

Waterproof curtains were attached to the sides and rear of the truck. This was a time when merchants could go out into the neighborhoods and sell their food products to residents.

Eventually, the Canopy Express models disappeared due to poor sales.1948 Chevrolet Deluxe Stake truck (Robert Tate Collection)A popular Chevy truck for farmers was the De Luxe Stake model. They were ideal for hauling merchandise, and many farmers admired its large platform and loading capacity. Removable interlocking stake sides were reinforced with steel pockets in what was called a rub rail. Improved insulation, a thicker dash and floor mats proved a cooler quieter cab for the driver and passenger.1948 Chevrolet Dubl Duti truck (Robert Tate Collection)In this era, door-to-door delivery was very popular with consumers. A truck called the Dubl-Duti was great for such delivery operations and was admired by many store owners. It should also be noted that the Chevrolet Stepvan was also widely accepted by route delivery firms. Called a #3742, it was a lighter version of the stepvan and offered sliding doors for added convenience for a driver making frequent stops.

Also, GM had independent companies who supplied parcel delivery bodies for the special Chevrolet package delivery chassis.1948 Chevrolet School Bus (Robert Tate Collection)In 1948, Chevrolet manufactured two school bus chassis. The buses offered a 161-inch wheelbase and held up to 36 passengers. The bodies were supplied by several independent manufacturing firms. Chevrolet also offered a 199-inch wheelbase model 6703, which could carry more passengers and fuel for longer runs.1948 Chevrolet Chassis and Cab truck (Robert Tate Collection)The 1948 Chevrolet Cab-over engine model was very popular among companies. This model was used for moving and other heavy-duty operations. The truck offered up to 17 ½ feet of space. The driver’s compartment had more seat, hip and shoulder room.

The cab seats were 3 3/4 inches wider. The instruments and controls were grouped for driver convenience. The driver vision was increased by enlarging the V-type windshield and all windows in both height and width, which was called the “Nu-Vue” design. The models also had a cigarette lighter which are no longer seen today.1948 Chevrolet Truck brochure cover (National Automotive History Collection)The advertising campaign for the 1948 Chevrolet trucks proclaimed: “Come in - see the Advance-Design Chevrolet Trucks with the cab that breathes.”In conclusion, the 1948 Chevrolet trucks were popular models and will always have a special place in the category’s history.Bibliography1948 Chevrolet Motor Division truck material. Advanced Design Chevrolet trucks. Specifications Data and information sheets.Dammann, George H. “Sixty Years of Chevrolet.” Crestline Publishing, 1972.

. 3100:. 196.6 in (4,990 mm) (1947–1952);. 191.3 in (4,860 mm) (1953–1955)ChronologyPredecessorSuccessorAdvance-Design was a light and medium duty truck series by, their first major redesign after WWII.

Its GMC counterpart was the GMC New Design. It was billed as a larger, stronger, and sleeker design in comparison to the earlier. First available on Saturday June 28, 1947, these trucks were sold with various minor changes over the years until March 25, 1955, when the trucks replaced the Advance-Design model.The same basic design family was used for all of its trucks including the, panel trucks,. The cab overs used the same basic cab configuration and similar grille but used a shorter and taller hood and different fenders.

The unique Cab Over fenders and hood required a custom cowl area which makes the Cab Over Engine cabs and normal truck cabs incompatible with one another while all truck cabs of all weights interchange.From 1947 until 1955, Chevrolet trucks were number one in sales in the United States, with rebranded versions sold at locations.While used this front end sheet metal, and to a slightly lesser extent the cab, on all of its trucks except for the, there are three main sizes of this truck: the half-, three-quarter-, and full ton capacities in short and long wheelbase. Contents.Differences 1947 - Gasoline tank filler neck on passenger side of bed. No vent windows in doors. Hood side emblems read 'Chevrolet' with 'Thriftmaster' or 'Loadmaster' underneath. Serial numbers: EP ½ ton, ER ¾ ton, & ES 1 ton. Radios were first available in Chevrolet trucks as an 'in dash' option on the 'Advance-Design' body style.1948 - shifter now mounted on column instead of floor. Serial numbers codes: FP ½ ton, FR ¾ ton, & FS 1 ton.Early 1949 - Gasoline tank now mounted upright behind seat in cab; filler neck aft of passenger door handle.

New serial number codes: GP ½ ton, GR ¾ ton, & GS 1 ton.Late 1949 - Hood side emblems no longer read 'Thriftmaster' or 'Loadmaster', but are now numbers that designate cargo capacity: 3100 on ½ ton, 3600 on ¾ ton, 3800 on 1 ton. Serial number codes remain the same as on early 1949.1950 - Telescopic replace lever-action type.

Last year for driver's side cowl vent, its handle is now flat steel, not maroon knob as in previous years. New serial number codes: HP ½ ton, HR ¾ ton, & HS 1 ton.1951 - Doors now have vent windows. Mid-year change from 9-board bed to 8 boards per bed. Last year for 80 MPH speedometer, chrome window handle knobs, and chrome wiper knob. New serial number codes: JP ½ ton, JR ¾ ton, & JS 1 ton.1952 - Outer door handles are now push button type as opposed to the previous turn down style. Speedometer now reads to 90 mph and dashboard trim is painted instead of chrome. Mid-year, Chevrolet stops using the 3100-6400 designation on the hood and changes to maroon window and wiper knobs.

New serial number codes: KP ½ ton, KR ¾ ton, & KS 1 ton.1953 - Last year for the. Hood side emblems now only read 3100, 3600, 3800, 4400, or 6400 in large print. Door post ID plate now blue with silver letters (previous models used black with silver letters). Last year to use wooden blocks as bed supports. Godex 1100 plus driver for mac. New serial number codes: H ½ ton, J ¾ ton, & L 1 ton.1954 - Only year for significant design changes.

Windshield now curved one-piece glass without center vertical dividing strip. Revised steering wheel. Revised dashboard. Cargo bed rails, previously angled, now horizontal. Tail lights round instead of rectangular. Grille changed from five horizontal slats to crossbar design commonly referred to as a 'bull nose' grille, similar to modern Dodge truck grille. Serial number codes unchanged from 1953.

Is available for the first time as a paid for option.1955 First Series - Similar to the 1954 model year, except redesigned hood-side emblems and modern open in place of enclosed. Serial number codes unchanged from 1953 and 1954.