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Stunning ‘53 Pickup Hits the Road

Stunning ‘53 Pickup Hits the Road

Classic & Beautiful 1953 Chevy Pickup added to the Blacktop Candy's Route 66 Classic Car Hire Lineup.

On Saturday, June 27, 1947 the first of Chevrolet's new, radically upgraded light-duty trucks - the Advanced Design - was introduced on dealer showrooms. The half-ton version was earmarked the 3100 and was built by Chevrolet until mid-1955. Chevrolet had surveyed business owners from around the country and the resounding demand was more power, larger, roomier cab, more comfortable seats and better visibility. Engineers at Chevrolet delivered. From 1947 to 1955, the Advance Design was number one in truck sales and is one of the most popular trucks today for restoration and hot-rod enthusiast.

Scott Shinn - Founder of American Classic Auto Tours company Blacktop Candy's

Scott Shinn - Founder & CEO

Blacktop Candy’s
American Classic

Auto Tours

322 Village Loop Dr

Apex, NC 27502

866.437.4077 Toll Free

919.439.8733 x301

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In 2012 over 7.5 million trucks were sold in the U.S. slightly outpacing car sales. Americans buy trucks not only for business and utilitarian use but for daily transportation as well. That wasn’t the case in 1953 when car sales were more than five times that of trucks. The truck was a farm vehicle, a delivery vehicle and rarely a daily mode of transportation. But that began to change with the introduction of the Chevrolet Advance Design pickup in 1947. The cab was eight inches wider and seven inches longer, by truck standards, a once-in-a-lifetime feat. The larger size allowed engineers to fit in a full three-person seat. There was a new fresh air system, a completely welded and subsequently stronger cab, a larger two-piece windshield and a 216 cubic inch six-cylinder motor that put out 90 horsepower and 174 pounds of torque.

In 1954, Chevrolet upgraded to the new 235 cubic inch six-cylinder motor, an optional Hydromatic two-speed automatic transmission, a one-piece windshield and a redesigned front grill. Though many of the surviving Advance Design trucks have been restored to original specifications, by modern standards the truck is impractical for daily or highway driving. Transmission and rear-end gearing prevent comfortable highway travel and the 216 motor lacked a modern pressurized oiling system and was subject to failure.

The Blacktop Candy’s 1953 Chevrolet 3100 1/2 Ton pickup retains the look and style of the original truck but has been up-fitted for comfortable long-distance travel. The 216 motor has been replaced with a high-output 305 cubic inch V-8, the transmission is a 350 3-speed automatic and the rear-end is 3.08 highway ratio. The straight-axle front end has been converted to independent front suspension with power disc brakes and radial tires and the interior has been fitted with airconditioning, modern ignition, modern gauges and audio, all the while maintaining the original interior design.