Vehicle Description
1952 Chevrolet 3800 For Sale - Formerly Owned By Steve McQueen LMC
is proud to offer for sale this 1952 Chevrolet 3800 Pickup Truck
Chevrolet's first major truck redesign post-WWII was the
Advance-Design series that was billed as a bigger, stronger and
sleeker design. These trucks were sold with only minor changes over
the model years from 1947 until 1955 and established Chevrolet
trucks as number one in sales in the US. There were three main
sizes of this truck design with the half-, three-quarter-, and full
ton capacities in short and long wheelbase. For 1952 there were
real minor changes such as the outer door handles became push
button as opposed to turn down style. Speedometer now went to 90
mph and dashboard trim is painted instead of chrome. Mid-year,
Chevrolet stopped using the 3100-6400 designation on the hood and
changes to maroon window and wiper knobs. New serial number codes:
KP � ton, KR � ton, & KS 1 ton. These Chevrolet pickup trucks have
become much sought after by customizers, Hot Rodders and old truck
collectors. This special 1952 Chevrolet 3800 Pickup with custom
camper was purchased by the legendary Hollywood Actor Steve McQueen
from a migrant farmer he passed on the side of the road in the late
'70's when he resided in Trancas Beach, north of Malibu,
California. An avid collector of vintage cars, trucks and
motorcycles throughout his lifetime he owned more than 60 rare
vehicles including a 1951 Hudson Hornet, a 1956 GMC Suburban, a
1931 Lincoln Club Sedan, a 1946 Willys Jeep and a 1935 Chrysler
Airflow Imperial Sedan. This 1952 Forest Green Chevrolet 3800
series is a one-ton step-side long-bed. Powered by the original 235
cu in Loadmaster 6-cylinder engine with a 4-Speed Manual
Transmission. McQueen understandably used the truck for
cross-country camping trips as this Chevrolet pickup truck features
a custom camper known as "Dust Tite ". The custom camper was built
by Harold Van Hoosen, a sheet metal fabricator from Yreka,
California in October 1952. Made of galvanized metal and aluminum,
the camper includes a double-size bed, storage cabinets, drawers,
shelves and a heavy-duty diamond-plated rear bumper. Inside the
famous Chevy 5-Window cab design, complete with sun-visor, the
two-tone Green Bench Seat is in wonderful condition. The interior
has a pretty high trim level for a truck of this era and has an AM
Radio and Chevy Heater. It also has a platform on top, making it a
prime viewing location for auto and motorcycle racing events. Other
features of this wonderful truck include 5-gallon gas tanks on the
running boards, driver's side Spotlight and two toolboxes. This
truck's significance takes on greater historical importance as it
was reportedly the last vehicle to transport McQueen from his Santa
Paula home to the Ventura County Airport on Nov. 3, 1980. From
there he went for his final cancer surgery in Mexico after being
diagnosed with incurable mesothelioma the previous year.
Accompanying McQueen in the camper was the Reverend Billy Graham.
According to Graham, McQueen peppered him with questions of the
afterlife on this last ride. Graham read a number of passages of
Scripture and they prayed several times. After "Amen," Graham
instinctively handed over his Bible to McQueen, which became his
proudest possession. As Graham turned to leave, McQueen proclaimed,
"I'll see you in heaven!" He was clutching the Bible when he passed
away a few days later. The truck was first sold at the Steve
McQueen Estate Auction in 1984 at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas.
Included are an original Certificate of Authenticity from that
auction, signed by Terry and Chad McQueen, as well as, the auction
ticket and advertisements, the original 1959 California license
plates and three California title "pink slips" in Steve McQueen's
name. This 1952 Chevrolet 3800 Pickup is very unique in so many
ways... for the collector given the provenance of the iconic
McQueen ownership or perhaps for the Chevy enthusiast that is
yearning to explore the vast beauty of America just as Steve
McQueen had done. Additional Details: -
