1949
Chevrolet
3800
1 Ton Pickup
1949 Chevrolet 3800 1 Ton PickupThe Advance-Design is a light and medium duty truck series by Chevrolet, their first major redesign after WWII. Its GMC counterpart was the GMC...
1949 Chevrolet 3800 1 Ton Pickup
The Advance-Design is a light and medium duty truck series by Chevrolet, their first major redesign after WWII. Its GMC counterpart was the GMC New Design. It was billed as a larger, stronger, and sleeker design in comparison to the earlier AK Series. First available on Saturday, June 28, 1947, these trucks were sold with various minor changes over the years until March 25, 1955, when the Task Force Series trucks replaced the Advance-Design model. The same basic design family was used for all of its trucks including the Suburban, panel trucks, canopy express, and cab overs. The cab overs used the same basic cab configuration and similar grille but used a shorter and taller hood and different fenders. The unique cab over fenders and hood required a custom cowl area which makes the cab over engine cabs and normal truck cabs incompatible with one another while all truck cabs of all weights interchange.
Picture yourself out in the middle of nowhere ripping down a 1 lane dirt road, kicking up dust and not a care in the world as you head to the opposite side of the ranch to go check on a fence. Big mountains in the background, and you are now de-stressing from the rigors of everyday farm and ranching life, so just give her more gas pedal, and roll on for the next 20 minutes. For consignment, a wonderfully aged like a fine wine 1949 Chevrolet 3800 pickup that spent its life as a worker bee currently ready to be restored or keep the classic aged look which is so popular in today's classic vehicle world. Just a fab classic truck, which right now are hot, and this one you still can touch so hurry on down to the Classic Auto Mall while she is still cookin'.
Exterior
Aged green paint, patina and some rust, both surface and invasive are seen throughout. Steel is very nicely straight, and amazingly there are no real dents to speak of; however, the bed is noticeably more worn than the cab. Badging and chrome are pitted, but it is befitting to the work ethic this truck has. No trailer queen here folks, just pure unadulterated truck. The 9' bed has splintered wood with surface rusted bed sides. A dented and surface rusted tailgate is on to keep your load secure. Some invasive rust is showing the beginnings of winning on the rear fenders, especially where they meet the bed sides. Like new white wagon wheels adorn the 4 corners and are wrapped in like new 7.50R16LT blackwall rubber. The rear bumper has gone missing and has been replaced with an angle iron and lighting is still attached to the tail of the truck.
Interior
All original right out of 1948 with tan metal, 2 simple round gauges and a central horizontal ribbed grille in rusted chrome. A well-worn steering wheel is fronting this dash, and just in front of this is a full bench seat with a mix of dark green vinyl and black tape but also showing the seat springs. The floors are metal and show some areas of extensive surface rusting. This rust has made its way into the door thresholds and is invasive in areas and the same is noted on the bottoms of both doors. Above is rusted steel for the roof.
Drivetrain
A pop of the big hood, and we see an aged 235 inline 6-cylinder engine topped by a 1-barrel carburetor and a 4-speed manual transmission on back. This reliable combination sends power back to a 4.56 geared rear axle. Plenty of surface rusting going on under this hood as well as a plethora of added wiring is noted.
Undercarriage
Plenty of heavy surface rust seen throughout. Body hangers and frame are still sound and leaf spring suspension all around are noted, with the rear springs and bushings being new. Drum brakes with new wheel cylinders are on all 4 corners, but the truck will need new brake linings in the near future.
Drive-Ability
Not every vehicle through the door is perfect and showroom new, some are working trucks, and these are always a pleasure to drive, as they have a worn and broken in quality that always brings a smile to my face. This truck did not disappoint on the performance front with smooth acceleration, good easy shifting, and it got me down the road. The ignition is "farm wired", so no key is necessary to start it, but it does fire almost immediately thanks in part to the 12-volt conversion. Also, the fuel gauge and speedometer are inoperable along with the one parking brake cable being frozen and disconnected and the other cable is not adjusted properly.
An aged example of a hard worker, and a long life lived on a farm as a useful part of the entire operation. Now nicely patina'd, with just a few wiring modifications to speak of, otherwise just the original truck. She will need some TLC but, in the end, whichever state it is left in, it will be a classic one could use for a great advertisement for a business that will definitely show off as having a hard work ethic.
VIN DECODE
6GSK1255321
6-Oakland, CA Assy Plant
GS-3800 Series 1 Ton
K-August Build
1255321-Sequential Unit Number