Vehicle Description
This 1957 Chevrolet Cameo 3124 Restomod is not only a looker of the
first degree, but it's also a proud member of a very pivotal class
of vintage trucks. Coming along at a time when pickups were all
about bare bones ruggedness and no-frills demeanors, the Cameo
offered a styling sensibility that was previously reserved for
passenger cars. Custom built and featuring loads of goodies, this
dialed-in Texas truck is not just an amazing looker, it's also
loaded with a powerful 5.7L fuel-injected V8, an overdrive
automatic transmission, upgraded chassis, and elegant A/C interior
resulting in one of the coolest trucks we've ever featured here at
Streetside Classics.
The well-ornamented exteriors of the 'Task Force Series' trucks
provides the first clue that Chevy had more than just reliable and
functional transportation in mind when the Cameo was introduced to
succeed the 'Advanced Design' pickup line in 1955. Shortening the
design gap between car and truck (a line of thinking that later
paved the way for the El Camino), this 3124 offers an abundance of
period-correct style for a '50s era truck that blends in well with
just the right amount of ruggedness. Take a look up front, where
the smile-like visage of the wideset headlights and intricate 1957
grille sit over a sturdy front bumper and set the iconic tone,
aided further by the badges on the fenders and 'spears' on the
hood. Step around to the side and you'll see that the doors
themselves carry their own badging - a rare styling cue - and the
sides of the bed are decked out with broad, detailed trim with
beautiful chrome accents. The Pearl White this beauty wears harkens
back to the '55 model (white with a red bed stripe was the only
color combo you could get in the 1st year Cameo) offering a killer
shine and deep luster, and although the driver-quality finish does
have a few imperfections, it's still pretty dialed-in and has great
curb appeal. Owing to its manufacturer's quest to equip it with as
much car-like style as possible, there's also an impressive
collection of chrome on display, and the brightwork and bumpers
both fore and aft are in great condition. A large part of the
Cameo's unique look was achieved by adding fiberglass panels to the
Chevy's existing steel cargo-box, which in the case of this Cameo
have been swapped in favor of bright chrome panels resulting in the
incredibly stylish bed and tailgate you see before you. Inside that
cool Art Deco bed is a finished wood floor with chrome slats that's
nice enough to have a dance party on. And if you were wondering
what was going with the cab corners, those are actually custom step
cut-outs - how cool is that?
The beautifully restored and upgraded tan leather-and-suede
interior further shows that designers were trying to bring several
automotive details over to the truck lineup. The high-end
upholstery has a very elegant look to it and shows minimal wear
since the restoration was finished, with a matching custom center
console. Plush carpets are in great shape and help insulate the
cabin, as does the sound deadener that lines the roof (could use a
headliner to look a bit cleaner), and the two-tone metal door
panels soften things a bit. The instrument panel should look
familiar to Chevy fans, with a V-shaped unit that is remarkably
similar to the gauge panel found in the '57 Bel Air, although now
it's full of digital/analog units that keep a closer eye on the
engine's vitals. The beautifully integrated tan dash is accented
with woodgrain paneling, same goes for the custom built center
console, and the rim on the Grant steering wheel. Any options in a
truck this pretty are just icing on the cake, but in this case
comfort and entertainment are accounted for, with R134a A/C and a
retro-style AM/FM radio, respectively, along with a tilt steering
column, power seats, and even cup holders. Detroit's Golden Era is
definitely represented inside this comfortable cab, so much so that
you'll have to be pried out of the seats when it's time to put this
Cameo back in the garage.
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In addition to everything else it offers, this is also one very
road-ready classic truck. The 5.7L V8 engine below the hood is
running strong, armed with an extensive array of performance
goodies that really kick up the horsepower and torque. Swapped in
from a 2004 GMC, it features all the modern goodies you'd expect
from a newer truck, including responsive fuel injection, and lots
of horsepower and torque. It's all presented very nicely as well,
with black valve covers and a big intake tube up top and it sounds
great through the exhaust manifolds that feeds into an upgraded
exhaust system with a throaty sound. The powerplant combines with a
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive navigated via
the chrome shifter mounted on the column inside cabin, and it spins
a 10-bolt rear end filled with highway-friendly gears. Power
steering makes this well-restored classic truck easy to navigate,
power front disc brakes ensure it stops on a dime, and it turns
heads on its set of flashy 15-inch Cragar S/S wheels wrapped with
BFGoodrich white-letter radials.
This 1957 Chevrolet Cameo restomod represents a unique chapter in
passenger truck evolution, and with its awesome upgrades and unique
pedigree, it's one of the coolest classic trucks you'll ever come
across. Call today!
