1953 Chevrolet ½ Ton

As it is today.

When Kevin first bought it.

This Feature Truck of the Month is a very attractive, almost 75-year-old 1953 Chevrolet ½-ton. It looks very above average! Only a person who is very knowledgeable about this series of the older Chevy pickup would know it has something special out of sight. This can cause the driver to get speeding tickets if the vehicle is pushed to its limits!

The proud owner is Kevin Thomas of Joplin, Missouri. He has owned many 1947-54 Chevy pickups over the years; however, he decided to go a different direction on this recent 1953 pickup purchase.

To have a pickup that Kevin desired, it required much studying. Reading about positive creations was backed up by attending many early vehicle shows with discussions among the owners!

What we have in Kevin’s pickup appears to be one of the better ones for its original appearance, plus it will keep up with faster traffic!

Here are some of the items Kevin has installed in his special older ½ ton:

1957 Chevrolet 235 six-cylinder high oil pressure engine. (Very popular engine among restorers. GM designed it to nicely exchange with their original 216 low-pressure engine used between 1937 through 1953.)
A T-5 transmission from an S-10 Chevy pickup. Its overdue unit gives Kevin’s 1953 the extra speed on the open road. The shift lever even comes through the cab floor in about the same place as the 1953’s original 4-speed transmission. Nice touch!
Here’s a really great extra! Kevin uses a 12-bolt differential from a 1977 KS Blazer. (The “K” stands for a ¾ ton.) He used this because it attaches to 6-bolt wheels. Thus, all 4 wheels to remain the same!
With the above major changes (normally out of sight), Kevin has kept it looking much like an all-original pickup!

The attached photos show before and after Kevin bought it. The chrome reverse wheels and 25-year-old tires were replaced with original 16” wheels and new Coker whitewall tires. Very few additional changes were needed. The correct painted grille (as on the 1952-53 years) was kept.