Featured here is a great looking 1955 Chevy 3100 Half Ton Pickup. Chevrolet light trucks beginning in 1955 ushered in a new era of styling and comfort. When the 1955 came out, the new Chevy trucks blurred the lines between a work truck and passenger car.
The Task Force Series
Chevrolet called the new style for 1955 as the “Task Force Design“. This name replaced the previous designation of “Advance Design” which ran from 1947 until 1955. During this time Chevrolet trucks were outselling Ford until Ford came out with their V-8 truck engine in 1954. Chevy came out with their truck V-8 engine in 1955 along with their new Task Force design. The Task Force Chevys lasted from 1955 to 1959.
When the Chevy 3100 trucks came out they actually to some seemed like a cross between truck and passenger car. This was important because in the 1950’s many people used them for both cargo hauling and personal transportation. Though light trucks buyers were looking for economy of operation they were also into style and comfort of ride.
New Styling
Everything with the new Task Force Series Chevrolet 3100 was designed new from the front to back including a new wrap around windshield. This was the industry’s first such windshield. The new design for the 1955 model carried over to 1956 included sculpted door and fender panels and a lower flatter hood. All Task Force series Chevy trucks were built with rugged chassis, stronger suspensions and drive trains
The 1956 models did have a few small changes including the side nameplate moved up above the fender crease and a new emblem was placed on the hood.
1955 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup Truck Specifications
The 1955 Chevy 3100 Pickup came out with an improved base 235 cubic inch straight six cylinder engine delivering 123 horsepower. Buyers had the option for a 265 cubic inch V-8 that could deliver 155 horsepower. In 1956 the Chevrolet engineers added some things to the 265 V-8. This included an optional four barrel carburetor which increased horsepower to 205.
The transmission was a manual three speed with buyers having the option of a hydramatic automatic unit.
Brakes are four wheel hydraulic
Cargo beds for the Chevrolet 3100 Series were offered as six, seven or eight foot lengths.
Base price for the new 1955 Chevy 3100 was $1,500.
Curb weight is about 3,200 lbs.
Total 1955 Chevy truck production came in at 393,000 units. Chevy did lose slightly to Ford’s F Series for 1955 light trucks sales.
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Reference material for this article includes..Chevrolet Trucks: 100 Years of Building the Future by author Larry Edsall.. Standard Catalog of Chevrolet Pickups and Other Light Duty Trucks, 1918-1995 by John Gunnell. GM/Chevy Archives.
The 1955 Chevy light trucks not only established a new standard in the industry but also captured the hearts of truck enthusiasts, making them a sought-after classic in today’s collectors’ market.
The Chevy Task Force series of trucks encompasses a unique automotive heritage characterized by strength, reliability, and unmatched style. Whether used for work or leisure, these trucks have left an indelible mark on the landscape of American automotive history. The trucks in this series showcased an innovative le ativ wit02/lso es sh ativ wit02/lso es sh at/ve le atisiBsicsubisk Force strong>$1,500