The design features of the 1954 Chevrolet Series 3100 half-ton pickup were unique -- but also short-lived.
Chevy's Advance-Design generation of trucks, introduced in 1947, received its first major restyle in 1954, including a triple row of large horizontal grille bars bisected by a vertical bar, with parking lights incorporated in the grille which were interchanged with the corresponding GMC model. The new grille could be ordered in chrome, but because this cost extra, it is seldom seen on surviving trucks. On painted grilles, the outer bars were painted in the body color; the inner bars painted Thistle Gray, Argent Silver (on red trucks), or white (on white trucks). Bumpers were Anvil Gray.
The cargo box was changed for 1954, with higher walls and a flat (instead of sloping) top rail. Taillights were large square units, and the hood ornament was redesigned. An important styling change was the use of a one-piece windshield, moderately curved -- full wraparound glass would arrive in late 1955. The 1954 rear bumper was unique to this series, with a dipped center section to hold the license plate -- very hard to find as a replacement part.
Mechanically, the 235.5-cid six was virtually a new engine, with higher compression, insert bearings, and high-pressure lubrication. This truck is equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission with shifter on the column.
