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Chevrolet's radically different 1947 Advanced Design
light-duty trucks represented a sea change in pickup design and
appearance. The nation was entering the exciting Post World War II era and
after four long years of war the American people, especially the veterans,
were looking forward to new opportunities in the world's greatest country.
There was no better way to put the past behind and look to the future than
with new lines of America's favorite form of transportation - cars and
light trucks. Post War automobiles followed a little
The Advanced Design 1947 pickups went on sale on Saturday June 28, 1947.
Shown is a 1947 3/4-ton Model ER pickup. Power came from the historic
Chevrolet 216.5 cubic-inch Overhead Valve six cylinder engine. This
3/4-ton pickup is rather unusual because it has all the deluxe trim items
offered in 1947 - a chrome grille, chrome window trim and rear quarter
windows. Usually this equipment is found on half-ton pickups. (Photo: AAMA)
more than a year later than the new trucks. GM was the
first manufacturer to release the new-look post War trucks late in the
1947 model year as 1947 models. They were announced at Chevrolet dealer
showrooms on Saturday June 28, 1947.
There is so much that could be said about the new
Chevrolet pickups that we could fill a small book. For lack of space we
will stick to the basics. Truck engineers typically began development work
on a new series by surveying truck users. Personal
interviews with business owners revealed the number one
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| concern with trucks was a larger, roomier cab
with more comfortable seats and better vision. Please note that owner
interviews at that time in history were held with business owners not with
individuals who owned pickup trucks for transportation only. The cab of
the Advanced Design pickups was eight inches wider and seven inches
longer. By pickup standards increases of this magnitude |
This 1950 Chevrolet half-ton model HP pickup was photographed in October
1999. It is so typical of collector trucks which are almost, but not quite
stock. Note the later model hubcaps, a hood ornament, non-stock yellow
paint and the wheels seem to be undersized too. (Photo: Don Bunn) |
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only happen once in a lifetime. The cab's new size
allowed the engineers to fit in with a true three-man seat which was also
fully adjustable front and rear on an inclined plane to provide maximum
driver vision. The additional cab width and length caused the new pickups
to look much bigger than previously.
A new larger windshield and bigger side and rear window
glass and optional rear-quarter windows vastly improved safety and
driveability. Higher and wider
Chevrolet's largest 1950 pickup was the model 3800 one-ton which was built
on a 137-inch chassis. Its cargo box's inside measurements were 108
1/4-inches long by 50-inches wide. A four-speed transmission was standard
as was its 216.5 cubic inch Thrift-Master engine. (Photo: Don Bunn)
cab doors made entry and exit easier. Another new
feature which further contributed to driver comfort and safety was a
fresh-air heater/defroster system which brought fresh outside air into the
cab and forced used air out through vents at the rear of the cab.
Chevrolet engineers designed the new cab's construction
to be entirely welded, as opposed to partly bolted together as in the
past. Consequently the new cab was much stronger and featured a
three-point type of suspension, which contributed to a softer ride.
Chevrolet engineers included three pickup truck types in
the new Advanced Design Series in three-sizes, half-, 3/4- and one-tons
(models 3104, 3604 and 3804 respectively) with cargo boxes 78 inches, 87
inches and 108 inches long.
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All three boxes were 50 inches wide, 16 1/4
inches high on the sides and 14 inches high in the ends. Wheelbases were
116, 125 1/4 and 137 inches. For each model the cargo box was shifted
forward for better distribution of the load in relation to the rear axle
and for better support by the frame rails. All pickups continued to be
built with wooden cargo floors covered with steel skid strips.
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The door vent windows were new in 1951 and push button door handles in
1952. A 1952 e/3-ton pickup is shown. The 3600 Series trucks were built on
a 125 1/4-inch wheelbase chassis. The three-speed synchromesh transmission
was standard; the four-speed was an option. This truck was Y2K ready and
ready for sale on a used car lot in October 1999. (Photo: Don Bunn) |
| Advanced Design pickup's engine
was the 90 horsepower, 174 ft-lb. of torque, 216.5 cubic inch Thrift
Master OHV six cylinder. The half and 3/4-ton pickup's standard
transmission was a three speed and a four speed was optional. Only the
four speed was available for the one-ton.
In addition to pickups, the Advanced Design light-duty
truck's with body line continued to include half- and one-ton panels and
canopy expresses; 3/4- and one-ton stake trucks; the Carryall Suburban and
the automobile based on the Sedan Delivery.
Advanced Design pickups continued through 1953 with only
minor engineering and styling upgrades. For example, in 1948 the
four-speed transmission's gear shift lever was moved to the steering
column from the floor and the parking brake was changed from a floor
mounted lever to a foot actuated pedal on the driver's far left. These
changes cleared the floor of obstructions for the convenience and comfort
of the passenger seated in the middle. The former four-speed spur-type
transmission was changed to a synchromesh unit to eliminate double
clutching.
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In 1949 the gas tank was moved to inside the
cab behind the seat back. In 1950 the 216.5 cubic inch six was tweaked to
put out 92 horsepower at 3400 rpm and 176 ft-LB of torque at 1000 to 2000
rpm. In 1951 the left-side cowl vent was eliminated and was replaced by
door vent windows. New push-button door handles were a 1952 model year
introduction.
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This 1954 Chevrolet Series 3100 half-ton pickup is another not-quite stock
collector pickup. This was the first year of the Advanced Design series in
which extensive styling changes were made. Note the one-piece curved
windshield and new grille and parking lights. (Photo: Don Bunn)
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| The first, and only, major
Advanced Design styling and engineering changes occurred with the 1954
models. These models featured a pleasing one-piece windshield, and all-new
grille, new parking lights and a new steering wheel and |
instrument panel. Engineering advancements
included the new standard 235.5 cubic inch OHV six cylinder engine
producing 112 horsepower and 200 ft-LB gross torque. The full automatic
Hydra-Matic transmission became an option for light-duty trucks. These
trucks continued into 1955 and remained on sale until March 25, 1955 when
all-new Early V8 pickup trucks were announced by Chevrolet.
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This amazing 1954
Chevrolet Series 3800 one-ton pickup looked almost as good as new when
photographed in October 1999. These big pickups were worked so hard they
usually didn't survive (Photo: Don Bunn)
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| Chevrolet pickups were number one
in sales during every year of the Advanced Design Era. |
