korean war

For the GM truck perfectionist! Just in case you like to read about the GM truck’s fine details, here is one! The die cast part of the window crank-up handles were near identical for almost 20 years. After all, it was a truck. During these years, most customers bought them for work duties. The occasional changes were in their small...

A war will always cause changes on the home front. Here is an example. Copper is an important layer in chrome plating. Because of the increase of ammunition production during the war, the price of this material (supply and demand world-wide) could only raise! During those years, the pickup truck was usually for work only. Thus, GM decided it would...

  Prices of more valuable metals such as copper and nickel reached their height during mid 1951 through 1953. Though U.S. shortages were much less than in WWII, there were price increases in the market that affected the financial bottom line of auto and truck manufacturers. America almost demanded chrome on cars even if it raised prices. Decorative shiny trim...

This was one of the most unique years for Chevrolet trucks. The Korean War and some resulting material shortages were now history. The economy was growing and the average worker brought home more wages than ever before. Sales of luxury options on automobiles were showing definite increases. To capitalize on this trend for transportation improvements, GM was fast working on...

  During the Advance Design years no less than four different Chevrolet hood side emblems were used on 1/2 tons. Each of their two mounting pins are in the same place so the punched hood holes were unchanged during these years. All were chromed die cast even during the 1952-1953 Korean war chrome shortage. The following pictures show the correct...

  By 1954, the Korean War shortages were history. More trim and chrome plating began to show up in trucks and cars. The Chevrolet and GMC truck divisions both introduced a deluxe model for their pickups during mid-year 1954. Hopes were to appeal to the emerging buyers with more disposable income. The deluxe model of these two trucks shared most...