After World War II, if you had a problem with your telephone connection, a Bell System (aka AT&T) service technician would likely show up in a truck like this one. It’s a 1947 Chevy 3100 (maybe a 3600), part of the Advanced Design Series which was the company’s first new post-war truck product. We don’t know a lot about this one other than it’s well-worn, sits in a garage, and will need restoration. Located in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, this blast from the past is available here on craigslist for $5,000. Thanks for “dialing in” this tip, Mitchell G.!
Chevrolet introduced the Advanced Design Series in mid-calendar 1947, so it’s debatable if they were all titled as 1948s. The 3100 could come in a variety of setups, including a pickup or chassis that could be adapted by the buyer (we suspect the latter applies to the seller’s vehicle). They were powered by Chevy’s 216 cubic inch inline-6 that would have been rated at 90 hp. We saw one of the same phone company trucks here on Barn Finds a couple of years ago.
The background of this old workhorse is unknown. For example, what part of the Bell System did it work for (and that was long before the AT&T breakup in 1982)? We’re told this truck has 40,000 miles on it, but the odometer is broken, so who knows what is the real usage. No mention is made of the Chevy running now or in the past, so it’s a safe bet that you’ll have to do some coaxing on this 6-banger.
If you’re into patina, this truck has plenty of it. And probably some rust, too, but the seller is short on photos, so we don’t know to what extent. Once restored, this transport should garner some attention because of its heritage and the utility box that presents what otherwise would have been the bed. For grins and giggles, here’s an example of what one of these would have looked like when new with the pic borrowed from CurbsideClassic.
$5grand, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg
Interesting truck, but I would want to convert the box into an open top bed to be more useable. The rear bar of the rack could stay as long as it’s quickly removable. Once its running and driving I could spend the rest of my days on the body work and paint, but that’s what I’m doing now with my weekends
My dad worked for THE phone company (Illinois Bell) after WWII. He started out climbing poles and service work and likely drove a truck like this. He retired before the breakup of Ma Bell in late 1983 after 36 years of service. He always referred to it as “The Company” and they treated their employees very well. He worked his way up into management and traveled often and for a number of years, Ma Bell paid to have their employees fly first class. Those were the days. Amazing that this truck somehow survived all these years.
Looks like a low rider already for those who like it that way nothing needs done
Restore it, I retired from Ohio bell / AT&T and miss working there , loved being an installation-repair man. Saw a truck like this restored at a car show and it looked great, just like the photo above.
I have one and will not take less than 10000 because this truck is a 3100 short bed truck
It can come out and service the pay phone in my 40s wooden booth, lol. Very cool, long before me, as I vividly remember the Ford vans of the late 60s and early 70s and would not minded having one years back. Other than the bed, it’s a standard truck. If your into these, like a Mustang, everything is out there.
“They can find you anywhere, they’re the Phone Cops!!” Who out there remembers that one?
I do remember – funny 😂.
I’m a Ford man but this Chevy is cool I have never seen one of these before and I’ve been to a lot of car shows over the years. I would restore it without changing a thing. I think the box is what makes it. You see pickups all the time. 5000. Dollars seams a bit much for all the unknowns. Maybe the price reflects it’ being an old phone co. truck. GLWTS