What year is a 3100 Chevy truck?
A Chevrolet 3100 is a half-ton pickup built during Chevrolet's Advance-Design era, lasting from model year 1947 through the mid-1950s. In practical terms, a 3100 badge signals a late-1940s to mid-1950s truck rather than a single-year model.
That designation sits in Chevrolet's lineup alongside 3600 (3/4-ton) and 3800 (1-ton). The 3100 name was applied to a range of half-ton pickups rather than a one-year specimen, and the styling and features evolved across the period.
What the 3100 designation means
The model code 3100 identifies the half-ton pickup within Chevrolet's traditional numeric lineup used on trucks from the postwar Advance-Design family. This naming convention helps collectors distinguish it from heavier-duty variants and from newer generations introduced later in the 1950s.
The following timeline places the 3100 within its main production window and shows how it relates to other Chevy truck sizes.
- 1947–1955: Chevrolet 3100 half-ton pickup (Advance-Design era) — base model for light-duty work
- 3600: 3/4-ton variant
- 3800: 1-ton variant
In short, the 3100 designation corresponds to a late-1940s to mid-1950s Chevrolet half-ton pickup, not a single-year model.
Dating a 3100 Chevrolet truck more precisely
To narrow the year range for a specific truck, you can use identification methods common to classic GM pickups of the era:
- Check the manufacturer's tag or VIN/body tag on the driver's door jamb or firewall for model and year codes
- Compare the truck’s grille, hood length, cab shape, and other styling cues with reference photos from the late 1940s and early 1950s
- Inspect markings on the tailgate, dash, and bed to look for era-specific typography and logos
- Cross-check chassis numbers and production details with Chevrolet reference guides or registries
Because Chevrolet didn’t publish a single year for the 3100, verification from factory documents or a decode of the tag/serial numbers is recommended to confirm the exact year.
Summary
The Chevrolet 3100 is a half-ton pickup from Chevrolet's Advance-Design era, produced from model year 1947 through about 1955. It sits as the base light-duty option in a lineup that also included the 3600 (3/4-ton) and 3800 (1-ton). For exact dating, rely on the vehicle’s original tags, VIN/serial data, and trusted reference resources to identify the precise year within that range. Today, the 3100 remains a popular target for collectors seeking classic postwar pickups with iconic styling.
What years did they make the Chevy 3100 truck?
Chevrolet Advance Design
| Chevrolet Advance-Design Series | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet (General Motors) |
| Also called | Chevrolet 3100 (1⁄2-ton) Chevrolet 3600 ( 3⁄4-ton) Chevrolet 3800 (1-ton) Chevrolet 4400 Chevrolet 6100 Chevrolet Loadmaster Chevrolet Thriftmaster GMC New Design |
| Production | 1947–1955 |
What is the difference between a Chevy 3100 and 3200?
The Chevrolet Task Force (or in some cases, Task-Force) is a light-duty (3100-short bed & 3200-long bed) and medium-duty (3600) truck series by Chevrolet introduced in 1955, its first major redesign since 1947.
What's the difference between 3100 and 3600?
The easiest way to tell the difference would be the wheelbase. 3100 will be 116 in. and the 3600 will be 125 in.
What does the 3100 mean on a Chevy truck?
1949 Chevy Truck
Gas tank is now located behind seat inside of cab. Serial numbers: GP 1/2 ton, GR 3/4 ton, GS 1 ton, etc. Above: By the end of the 1949 model year, hood side emblems said "Chevrolet" with the series designation underneath (in this case, 3100 indicating 1/2-ton). The Thriftmaster emblem was dropped. (
