The race to see which automaker could design the first all-new postwar pickup truck was won by GM. GM introduced the Chevrolet “Advance Design” line of pickup trucks in June 1947 as a half-year model update to the previous pre-war carryover design, the AK series (GMC, Chevrolet’s corporate cousin, revealed similarly styled “New Design” trucks at the same time). Their design beat out everyone else’s to market by at least 6 months, as Ford’s “Bonus Built” line and Dodge’s “B-series” line weren’t introduced until the following year. This Advance design, available here on Craigslist in Great Bend, Kansas, for $9,500, is a 1949 model, largely unchanged from its 1947 counterpart.
The Advance Design line of trucks remained largely unchanged cosmetically from their 1947 introduction until 1953; they then received a slight facelift in 1954, which carried over for the first half of 1955 as well. Some minor fettling was done throughout its run, like moving the fuel tank from under the bed into the cab in 1949, adding door vent windows in 1951, and changing to push-button door handles in 1952. This meant that not only was Chevrolet the first to introduce their postwar truck line, but it was also the last to do a mid-series facelift, as Ford redesigned their grilles in 1951 and Dodge had followed suit in 1952. The minuscule changes from year to year make it difficult to know exactly what year Advance Design you are looking at, especially if parts from different years end up on the truck, which is not uncommon.
Based on the features shown on this truck, it is definitely a 1949, and likely an all-original one, as well. However, there is one feature that is not correct for this year of truck: the engine. Though the Chevrolet “Stovebolt Six” engine was the only engine available for the Advance design trucks, the 1949 would have had the 216 cubic inch variant under the hood, denoted by its two center valve cover fasteners and stamped reinforcing ribs across the top. This truck sports a later 235 cubic inch Stovebolt, which would have been used from 1954-1962 (not to be confused with the earlier 235 that was available in 1 ton and larger trucks starting in 1947; that 235 would still have the 216-style valve cover, whereas this one has 4 side bolts and a Chevrolet script valve cover). This obviously isn’t the original engine for the truck, but in this instance, that’s actually a positive thing; the 216 still used poured Babbitt engine bearings, and the 235 installed here uses more modern insert bearings, not to mention the increased displacement and horsepower.
This particular truck has seen a long, useful life. It’s got a healthy amount of surface rust, typical of any midwestern pickup that spent a lot of its service life outside. There is the slightest amount of cancerous rust in the cab corners, but this being a central Kansas truck means it has been spared most of the harsh winter conditions that eat most northern pickups alive from the bottom up. The truck appears mostly complete, missing only a spare tire (aftermarket wheels are fitted) and the radio delete plate (or radio) that would live in the center of the dash. The seller indicates the truck runs well, the three-speed column-mounted manual transmission shifts well, and it stops well. All in all, this is an incredibly solid driver-quality pickup that can be enjoyed as-is for years to come, or, should it behoove the next owner, Advance Design trucks are an incredibly popular donor vessel for LS swaps, S10 suspension conversions, and endless other customization options. I personally like my trucks to retain their “work clothes”, as this one does; but with a pretty steep asking price of $9,500, can this truck be rescued to drive another day?
Great write up, can’t add much. The AD, and GMC ND seem to be the standard of what most younger folks deem an “old truck”, and literally thousands of renditions, limited only by the builders imagination,,,and pocketbook, of course.
Be that as it may, the “other” trucks sold just as many, and as you zip along our highways today, all those farms, practically guaranteed these are still in a corner. It’s always great to see one that hasn’t been modified.
Again, all about application. Surely something you don’t drag a 40 ft. Airstream with, but I’ve long been toying with the idea of another old truck, just like this. Mostly for my weekly jaunt to Walmart, or downtown, nothing I’d venture out of the county with. It will do 55mph, hammer down. My main objective in all that, is a giant middle finger to the modern automobile society today. It doesn’t get any simpler than this. I have neighbors on Social Security that struggle with modern auto repair, these mechanics want $200 AN HOUR!!! Devastates their savings, if any. I don’t know man, obviously, ’49 Chevys won’t work for many that sadly have to rely on modern vehicles, they are a huge part of their lives, but I have the option, luxury if you will, to be able to shut that out of my life, and an old truck seems to tell the world just how you feel. Amen.
Nice old truck. Only change I’d make in one is getting the fuel tank out of the passenger compartment.
just possibly the two best 6 cylinder engines ever made available for reliability and performance in light duty trucks were the 235 cu in Chevrolet/GMC and the Ford 300 cu in sixes. The only step up (IMO) would be choosing one from the early 60s era GMC 305 – 478 cu in GMC V6 series but the V6 didn’t have the fuel economy of the 235 and 300. When it comes to cars, lean to the blue oval, when it comes to trucks, go for reliability and strength, still haven’t bought in on the “military grade aluminum” story yet and the steel skin on all of the light duty trucks is about as thick and damage resistant as Reynold’s Wrap.
I had a 62 or 63 GMC 3/4 ton with the 305 V6. You’re right about that engine. If I could get in the bed of the truck that engine could pull it no problem. The only limitation was the brakes when going down hill.
that later engine has the longer water pump… did they jus move the rad ahead or cut into the sheet metal ?
https://youtube.com/shorts/Mly5rENNGxA?is=SICc0-R4LO40HceR
With the prices people are asking these days, $9500 doesn’t seem bad. I’d rather roll into the feed mill for a couple bags of chicken food with this ride than a $30k side by side.
Crosley came out with their all new pickup in 1946. They didn’t make many as 46s but were cranking them out for the 47 model year by the end of 46.
I own an original 1950 Chevy 3100, 216 engine and 4spd. The only thing I did was move the gas tank to under the bed with the fill pipe below the bed thru the running board filler panel, basically similar to a suburban. Love driving it👍
I like the way you think Howard. If I bought this I’d plate it and drive it. Period. Simple, simple. I always love 3 on the tree. Until they start locking up, of course, then you put in a floor shift! A little more complicated, but Bob’s your uncle, your back on the road. Great old truck.
Lots of good pix on the Craigslist site. I can tolerate the added external sun visor but get rid of those headlight “visors”.
Would be great if this baby was a five-window. Neverthless, I don’t think the price is out of line.
The 235 was a good upgrade from the 216.5 Thriftmaster. The 216 had a combination pressure oil pump and splash dip system and couldn’t take as much punishment as the 235 with a full pressure oil system. High revs on the 216 would risk throwing a rod should the bearings become oil starved.
I agree with Howard and Terry this truck looks solid simple and it fits perfectly for a guy like me 69 years old retired every now and then I’ll go to Home Depot buy a couple of gallons of paint couple of bags of bolts maybe a sheet of plywood nothing more but I’m not dealing with computers I don’t have to go 75 80 miles an hour on the freeway because I probably wouldn’t put a truck like this on the freeway to begin with but it is a nice truck I had a 1978 I believe or a 79 F100 Ford simple farm truck I bought it off a friend for $2,200 I spiced it up a little bit I put carpet I padded the dash cuz it was cracked I put the lower seat in there I attended the windows but it was a inline 300 three on the tree and I’ll tell you what I drove that truck for 7 years and traded it because I had children and it was just a farm truck no AC and I was living in Fort Worth so I had to get something for the family but I sold that truck for $2,800 and that in light 300 6 cylinder had well over 400,000 miles and that engine never burned Court of oil so this truck is yes in my book it’s a yes because I have a 2010 Tundra that I have had to do repair at the repair at the repair truck runs nice I just can’t get the check engine light to come off because there’s too many computers that have saved data like a good mechanic friend of mine told me Jesse I don’t have the Machinery to clear the data on this truck it runs fine but you can’t get inspection on it because there’s not one computer there’s several computers and if you don’t have the proper Machinery to reset it to manufacturing specs you’re not going to be able to get inspection on this truck you’ll have to take it to the dealer which is what they want and that’s going to cost you about $1,500 I simply don’t have the money so you know what I do I pay a guy 60 bucks to falsify the registration on the truck so that I can go get my tags every year
This is an OK truck but IMO way overpriced for the condition. Given the work needed I think it’s closer to $6K. As proof, look at this GMC 1/2 ton that just sold for $12K on BaT. If it were a Chevy it might have sold for $14K but not more.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1949-gmc-100-pickup-8/
Howard A you are spot on about being a victim to the government controlled auto industry.
How about letting Detroit build what America wants, needs.
Henry Ford was not a luddite but was not a fan of high tech either. But he was a practical man that seen what works and use it for all its worth.
Getting back to a Free Country will go a long way towards letting industry do what they will do anyway without governmental control. Make commuting an easier option for all.
The truck shown will be a great addition to any family wanting an easy to maintain and repair pickup. I have a 1950 Chevrolet 3100 free of governmental influence. And take very good care of it and have had it for close to 50 years.
I would class it as a local commuter that is cheap to operate and drive. Will it drive 500 mile trips, sure just do not be in a hurry and operate with care. I love it and will give it to my grandson when the time comes. Not far off into the future, after I make an alcohol conversion to run on making his own fuel if need be. So he will have to learn a 300 year old tradition as I did from my Pop.
Wife’s Grandpa passed before he could pass along those family traditions. :)