1955-60 Chevrolet 2nd Series "Task Force" Truck Differences?

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Hey guys. (sorry if this has been made already, used the search...)

A little new to the 55-60 era, second series chevy trucks.

Looking for someone to shed some light on these awesome trucks to clear up a few issues.

I feel there are so many different trucks it's confusing how to tell exactly which truck is which.

First off we have the,

Apache
Cameo
Viking
Spartan

I'd like to focus on the Apache (55-57) as that truck is the truck I am most interested in.

I've seen some pictures and wiki has a few "titles"..if you will, for these trucks


10
50
100
1420
3100
3200
3600
3800

Could someone explain to me these numbers and explain what these trucks exactly are?

Thanks.

[buggy5872]

Cameo 55-58 short bed with fiberglass bed sides
3100 series 1/2 ton short bed
3200 series 1/2 ton long bed
3600 series 3/4 ton long bed
3800 series 1 ton
Apache came out in 58-59 they just used the first 2 numbers on the badges "31,32,36,38"
Viking and Spartan 58-59 1 1/2 ton and bigger
55-57 bigger trucks the numbers start in the 4000s and go up from there.
55-57 5000 series were Low Lab Forward trucks 1 1/2 ton and up
1960 not a task force
that about sums it up. I am sure I missed something somewhere.

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Perfect. Thanks for the reply.

I've seen some 1420 trucks around. Know anything about them?
I've hard that they are a 1.5 ton? Found a limited amount of resourceful information for that specific truck.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by SAVAGE-RIDER

Perfect. Thanks for the reply.

I've seen some 1420 trucks around. Know anything about them?
I've hard that they are a 1.5 ton? Found a limited amount of resourceful information for that specific truck.

I think 1300 (1/2T), 1400 (3/4T) and 1500 (1T) are Canadian designations for the 3100 3600 and 3800 American Chevy truck
1420 would be a Canadian 3/4T

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Very good.

Thanks for all of your great input guys.

I now know what I'm looking for. Hopefully it's easy to find the right one!

I've been able to find more 49-54 "1420's" trucks but not a whole lot up to the 55-57 era. Found a 57 out west through a local classified and searched upon the truck with zip.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by buggy5872

Apache came out in 58-59

Buggy, I was sure the Cameo was fleetside and Apache was step side? Both came out at the same time.

[_Ogre]

apache, spartan and viking names started in 58
the apache, viking and spartan names for the 60 and up trucks stayed the same
not sure when apache, spartan and viking era ended, maybe 66 when they did the model change

[SCHRUMGMC]

Like this ?

[OrrieG]

For more information click the link in my signature to Old Car Manual Project. It will open on a specific year page. Scroll down, to see the TOC for that year click the TOC link. To look at another year click the Year Index link. In the TOC look for the model specs, a series of tables that show the model designation and specifications. I do not know if they have a section on Canadian trucks but there is plenty of expertise here to help.

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Great stuff guys.

Thanks!

I was mostly looking for the differences truck by truck how GM and CHEV labled them. It's hard to tell exactly what truck is which because its not as cut and dry as these days. 1500-2500-3500 and so on.

Your information has helped quite a bit and I thank everyone that contributed.

[SCHRUMGMC]

Oh okay, no one seems to like the GMC Apache I uploaded :/

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Originally Posted by SCHRUMGMC

Oh okay, no one seems to like the GMC Apache I uploaded :/

Sorry! Must have missed it.

You're very close. It's a nice truck. I was asking more 55-57 era with the single headlight not the dual.

So then, My last question being, 90% of the ads that have these trucks up for sale that are 3100 or 3200 step side, have them being sold as an apache. Would that truck then be falsely labled as an apache?

[meter swinger]

Originally Posted by SAVAGE-RIDER

Sorry! Must have missed it.

You're very close. It's a nice truck. I was asking more 55-57 era with the single headlight not the dual.

So then, My last question being, 90% of the ads that have these trucks up for sale that are 3100 or 3200 step side, have them being sold as an apache. Would that truck then be falsely labled as an apache?

Yes, apache badging came out in 58'. A lot of folks listing TF trucks for sale label them as apache in the add, even though they may be pre 58. It's a term likely more familiar to people than task force, and the numbering system of 55-57's.
Posted via Mobile Device

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Awesome. Thanks for clearing that up!

Great knowing more about the past and present chev trucks. They always intrigue me and I love learning more about them.



Thanks very much guys.

[OrrieG]

A good historical source on the differences is Jim Carters truck parts. He used to have a history section in his catalogs, I believe its now on-line.

[_Ogre]

58-59 apaches are just so cool that the 55-57 guys want to cool up their trucks

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

I would buy a 58-59 if I could put in a 55-57 chev grille in it. Just looks so bad ass.

[OrrieG]

I tried to photo shop it but my skills suck. Maybe someelse could crop in a 57 grill and turn signals into a 59 front view....

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Yes, now you have the idea that I do. I don't think it would be a bad looking truck. Either or photoshop the top 1/4 of the 59 fenders with the dual lights on a 55-57 truck.

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Please forgive my terrible photoshop

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Fixed it. Don't be too hard on the criticism!

[spinned]

You would have to do some fender welding and splicing to modify the fender inserts for the grill on a 58.

[blackdiesel]

PEOPLE, PEOPLE, PEOPLE...... YOUR MAKING ME SICK....... We all know that 1957 is the ONLY year worth talking about of the TF style.........lol

[SAVAGE-RIDER]

Haha. Well upon doing the photoshop I've come to the conclusion that GM made a good decision and not include the 57 grille in the 58 trucks.

[spinned]

Don't ya just love those 4-eyes............