Chevrolet Task Force

Main article: List of GM platforms

Chevrolet Task Force Series
Camionette Chevrolet, Chevrolet Task Force
Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet (General Motors)
Also called	3100 3200 3600 31 50 100 Apache Cameo Carrier Suburban Carrier Viking Spartan
Production	1955–1960
Assembly	Van Nuys Assembly (Van Nuys, California) Flint Truck Assembly, Flint, Michigan St. Louis Truck Assembly (Saint Louis, Missouri) Pontiac Assembly Center (Pontiac, Michigan)
Body and chassis
Class	Pickup truck
Body style	2-door truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	GM A platform
Powertrain
Engine	235 cu in (3.9 L) I6 265 cu in (4.3 L) V8 283 cu in (4.6 L) V8
Transmission	3 or 4 speed manual Hydramatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.0 in (2,896 mm) 123.0 in (3,124 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Chevrolet Advance Design
Successor	C/K Series

The Chevrolet Task Force was Chevrolet's successor to the Advance Design trucks. The Task Force Series ran from late 1955 (second series) through 1959. At GMC locations, it was called the Blue Chip Series.

The 1955 second series offered standard options and add-ons such as 12-volt electrical systems, the first V8 (the 265 cubic inch), and fleet-side six-, seven-, and eight-foot length beds.

Differences

1955 Second Series: First year for new body style. New "wrap-around" windshield—a truck industry first—and optional wrap-around rear window on Deluxe cabs. Power steering and power brakes became available for the first time on GM trucks. Electrical system upgraded to 12 volts. Only year for seven-foot bed length. Fenders have single headlights and one-piece emblem is mounted below horizontal line on fender. Cameo Carrier series introduced.

1956: Wider hood emblem. Two-piece fender emblems are mounted above horizontal fender line. Last year for egg crate grille.

1957: Only year for more open grille. Hood is flatter with two spears on top, similar to the 1957 Bel Air. Fender emblems are still above fender line, but are now oval-shaped, as opposed to previous versions in script.

1958: First year for fleetside bed, significant redesign of front end. All light-duty trucks are now called "Apaches", medium-duty trucks called "Vikings", and heavy-duty trucks called "Spartans". Truck has four headlights instead of the previous two and features a shorter, wider grille running the width of the front end. Parking lights are now in the grille instead of being in the front of the fender and the hood is similar to 1955/1956 models, but with a flat "valley" in the middle. First year for factory-equipped air conditioning. For 1958, GM was promoting their fiftieth year of production, and introduced Anniversary models for each brand; Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet. The 1958 models shared a common appearance on the top models for each brand; Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Roadmaster Riviera, Oldsmobile Holiday 88, Pontiac Bonneville Catalina, and the all-new Chevrolet Bel-Air Impala. The trucks also received similar attention to appearance, while staying essentially durable, with minimal adornment.

1959: Minimal changes from 1958, the most apparent was a larger and more ornate hood emblem and redesigned badging on the fenders. The last year that the NAPCO (Northwestern Auto Parts Company) "Powr-Pak" four-wheel drive conversion could be factory ordered.

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  1955 GMC Blue Chip 150

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  1955 Chevrolet Task Force

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  1956 Chevrolet 3100

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  1956 GMC Blue Chip

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  1957 GMC Suburban Carrier

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  1957 Chevrolet Task Force

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  1958 Chevrolet Apache

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  1958 GMC Suburban

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  1959 GMC 9310 pickup truck

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  1959 Chevrolet Apache

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chevrolet Apache or Chevrolet Viking