What is a 1955 Chevy truck called?
The 1955 Chevy truck is commonly referred to as a Chevrolet Task Force pickup, the first year of Chevrolet’s Task Force generation. Dealers and enthusiasts typically identify them by payload designations: 3100 for half-ton, 3600 for three-quarter-ton, and 3800 for one-ton models.
In 1955, Chevrolet redesigned its light trucks as part of a broader postwar shift in GM styling and engineering. The new Task Force lineup carried three main payload classifications (3100, 3600, 3800) and offered a range of engine options, including the standard inline-six and, as the range evolved, V8 options. The Task Force era extended through 1959, cementing a distinctive look and cloth-and-trim philosophy that distinguishes these trucks in vintage and collector circles.
Origins of the Task Force pickups
The 1955 model year marked Chevrolet’s transition from the older Advance-Design trucks to the sleeker, more modern Task Force line. This introduced a refreshed cab, revised front-end styling, and updated mechanicals intended to improve comfort, capability, and reliability for work fleets and everyday buyers alike.
Key designations used in the 1955 lineup
- 3100 — half-ton pickup
- 3600 — three-quarter-ton pickup
- 3800 — one-ton pickup
These payload-based designations appeared in brochures, dealer literature, and among collectors as a quick way to identify the truck’s size and intended use.
How to identify a 1955 Task Force truck
Visual cues and badges help distinguish a 1955 Task Force Chevy truck. Look for the era’s distinctive cab and front-end styling, along with a tailgate or grille badge indicating 3100, 3600, or 3800. The overall silhouette—rounded cab, updated bed rails, and modernized trim—signals the shift from the prior generation.
Engine options and performance offered by the era
- Inline-six engines served as the standard powerplant for many models
- Optional V8 power was introduced during the Task Force era, providing stronger hauling capability
The combination of more modern styling and flexible powertrains helped Chevrolet trucks appeal to a broader range of buyers, from tradespeople to small business fleets.
Historical context
The Task Force line represented Chevrolet’s response to postwar demand for more capable and comfortable light-duty trucks. By introducing three payload variants under a single family, Chevrolet simplified ordering for buyers while giving dealers a clearer product ladder. The 1955–1959 Task Force trucks remain a benchmark for classic American pickups, influencing design language and engineering choices for years to come.
Summary
A 1955 Chevy truck is most accurately described as a Chevrolet Task Force pickup, part of the 1955–1959 generation. The main variants are the 3100 (half-ton), 3600 (three-quarter-ton), and 3800 (one-ton). These trucks marked a styling and engineering upgrade from the previous generation, offering improved comfort, refreshed design, and a choice of engine options that included inline-sixes and V8s.
What is the name of the 1947-1955 truck style?
Chevrolet Advance-Design Series
What truck did Chevy make in 1955?
A 1955 Chevrolet 3100 is a classic half-ton pickup truck known for its "Task Force" redesign featuring a wrap-around windshield, optional V8 engine, and a stylish "Cameo" trim level with a smooth-sided bed, making it one of the first trucks to prioritize aesthetics alongside utility; it's considered a popular choice ...
What was the 1956 Chevy truck called?
1956 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
1956 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
The 1956 Chevrolet, 3100 series Stepside ½ Ton Pickup, was a carry over from the ever popular and new for 1955 model lineup light duty pickup, with only very minor changes probably not even noticeable to the average person.
What is the nickname for the 55 Chevy?
Shoebox Chevy
"Shoebox Chevy" Nickname: The 1955 Bel Air, along with the 1956 and 1957 models, earned the nickname "Shoebox Chevy" due to its boxy, modernized styling, which was a significant departure from previous rounded Chevy designs.
