What’s better than a Chevy Advance Design pickup that looks like it rolled out of a Norman Rockwell illustration? One that’s been mechanically restored, that’s what. This 1950 3600 (the 125″ wheelbase, 3/4 ton version of Chevy’s pickup truck) looks original on the outside, but just about everything else has been refurbished, including the interior. One of the most coveted collector trucks in America, the Advance Design Chevy got a late start in 1947 with a June introduction; however, it made up for its tardiness by sticking around through March 1955, when it was replaced by the “Task Force” truck line. That’s a long run by 1940s and ’50s standards, which speaks volumes about its popularity, and this one is bound to be popular with bidders; it’s for sale on eBay (in Virginia) with a high bid of $8,600 and a week to go on the auction.
Perhaps the highlight of the auction is the gallery of images. The engine and transmission have been rebuilt, in addition to the brakes, driveshaft, kingpins, and fuel system. The differential now has 4.11:1 gears, replacing the original 5.13s (which were a Regular Production Option, according to my materials). Back when a truck needed to haul big loads slowly, the 5.13s were a big help; today, where people honk at you for driving 10-over the speed limit, not so much. The owner claims that the 4.11s allow the truck to cruise at 65 miles per hour, which is plenty in this big old Chevy. The seller also says that the oil pressure is a steady 40 psi, which makes me think that the 235 six cylinder isn’t original to the truck. All Chevy sixes (as far as I know) had “scoop and dipper” oiling in 1950, and average oil pressure was much lower than later engines with full-pressure oiling, something in the 15 psi range going down the road. If this is indeed a full-pressure 235, I would absolutely not complain about it; I don’t think an original engine matters much in a truck like this.
The interior has also been restored to like-new condition, with fresh paint on the dashboard, new leather upholstery, new glass, a new heater. Everything works, even the vacuum wipers.
The bed, like the rest of the exterior, looks weathered but solid.
On some cars, patina doesn’t make sense; but on ’50s trucks, it makes all the sense in the world. This is a piece of Americana that’s impossible to fake, and it’s gorgeous; I’d walk past a thousand freshly painted trucks to ogle this one. I know I’m not the only one on here who appreciates it, and I hope one of our readers can drive home in this Chevy.
Wow!!!! This is a great find Aaron!!!. One question though…. Does the barn in the background in the last picture come with the truck? They both seem to be a matched set……
They went down a great road the way they chose to restore this Chevy. This is one of my favorite generations. Going with 4 10s with absolutely help even if 65 winds up being a bit high, but you shouldn’t be wound out at that speed. Not with the larger 16 inch ( I’m guessing) rims. The interior is fantastic, and the outside is very solid. I love that its not a fake patina, just a solid well cared for, nicely aged vintage truck. The engine on the stand looks immaculate, and you can see some of the work happening on the front end in the background. This is just one great truck.
This has become the standard image of an “old truck”, and I can just imagine some, this was advanced or “New Design”, in GMCs case? You bet, advanced is a relative term. After Dubja, Dubja 2, der, innovations clicked into high gear. I read, 216.5 ( that .5 gets you over the hill), was increased to 92 HP. and still retained the “splash and hope”, (it was called) and the 235 came in 1954. Kudos to the seller for an accurate rebuild, just for who? Being old, I’m telling you from experience, interest in a truck like this fades with every funeral. Relax, plenty of us old timers would get a kick out of having this, I sure would. I guess that’s all that matters, huh.
Well said Guys.
I’m no expert, but the engine pictured is a 216 and I don’t think you’re gonna get 40 psi oil pressure, 30 cold, 15 hot was the norm. 4.10 gears means 2500rpm at 55mph, don’t know if I’d want to push 65 for an extended period, remember this truck doesn’t self-energizing brakes and is gonna be a little hard to stop. All that said I love these old AD Chevys and still have the 49 that was my daily in the late 70s/early 80s. This will bring 10k but I’d rather put that money into the one I have.
It’s exactly what I like.
Good luck to the buyer.
The earlier “splash” oilers had a valve cover held in place by 3 long bolts running from the top of the valve cover down into the head. The later full pressure engines, first used across all models using the 235 engine had bolts around the perimeter like most of us have seen. The eBay listing has a photo of the head with the valve cover removed and the perimeter shows the threaded bolt holes. So it’s a later engine. A clear upgrade IMO.
Went back and looked at the ebay pics, you are correct that is a 235, my mistake I thought it was a 216. (shame on me!)
Either way it’s a good upgrade.
Either way, it’s painted the wrong color IMO.
I’d prefer something more restomoddy like a small block OHV 8 so I could cruise at highway speeds, and modern wheels that could take on modern all weather tires. However this would do as a daily (or in my case weekly) driver. Enough to get to Menard’s in Freeport for topsoil or whatever.
That was my exact thought and why i built mine that exact way. All stock everything with exception of a 5.3 out of a newer silverado. The best of both worlds. Its a great daily with 3 speed on the column and borg warner overdrive.
Seller did a smart job on this year Chevy truck. That rebuilt 235 is gorgeous and a smart upgrade. Honest patina is the word, and works perfectly for this one. Buyer will be a happy camper and caretaker.
Love this one, yes, I’m biased as I have a ‘50 3600 myself. This truck has two significant upgrades over mine: Exterior chrome (Very rare on a 3600) And a five window cab. Blindspots on the standard three window cab are atrocious and this is something I really wish mine had.
Some heavy labor and $$ Spent on this truck and the outcome is terrific! I don’t care for restored trucks that you can’t actually use as a truck, perfect middle ground here. Honestly, I would be a fool to refurbish my own truck as it’s likely this truck will auction for significantly less money Then it will take to get my truck in the same shape (And no labor!) someone is going to get a honey! :)
As a fan of basically original trucks this is great find.. Just enough upgrades to make it locally drive worthy. Something that you can use as a daily driver to the hardware store, landscape supply and get grocerys.. PLUS being an eye catcher at car and especially truck shows!!
Certainly my favorite old trucks are these ADs. This one is exceptionally nice. With five days left to bid it is over $15K reserve not met. Obviously a number of people are interested in this truck mostly I think because the seller did such a detailed mechanical restoration. GLWTS.
It is difficult to see but it looks like a floor shift. Does that make it a four speed?
Yes, it is a 4 Speed, but essentially a three speed with a creeper only first gear
What are all the differences between this 3600 and a normal 2600? Springs and shocks, I’ve always wanted one of these with a patina and a stock straight 6. There has to be a ton of these in dry areas sitting in a barn
I hope this truck doesn’t get repainted. Leave it the way it is, so anyone looking inside or at the engine will get a jolting surprise that will make their day.
Is there a aftermarket power steering kit available on these old Chevy trucks? If I recall those kingpin front ends weren’t the easiest to muscle around.
Kingpin replacements labor on older trucks like these was about $750-800 10 years ago, and add the cost of parts. And it’s not an easy job either. At my age a job that I would gladly pay someone to do.
I had a ’49 Chevy 3/4 pickup when I was a teenager and that is definitely not a 216 Thriftmaster. The side panel cover on the 216 went up past the spark plugs, where the 235 side panel cover was below them. A 235 was a better, beefier power plant and didn’t rely on the splash-dip system to oil the crank and pushrods. With only the one exception, the appearance of the 235 and 216 were indistinguishable. The original motor of this truck was without a doubt the 216, but mounting, weight and size were the same so it was easy to swap with a 235 and was not uncommon.
Dave, The 3600 is a 3/4 ton rated and the 3100 was a 1/2 ton vehicle. Yes, definitely heavier suspension and brakes.. Also full floating rear axles and possibly a foot longer bed? The extra stake pocket adds to that theory?
Great looking truck interior looks awesome would anything need to be done to bed of truck to keep it the same.
This is basically my exact truck but mines a GMC 3/4T 150. Mine is all original sheet metal and patina (ferrara blue) and interior has been redone to factory correct specs and colors. Mine also has 4:11’s (best ratio thats available) but mine also has a Borg Warner overdrive unit so it really cruises nice at any speed. Only big difference with mine is the 5.3 LS that powers it has effortless torque and power to carry itself around almost silently and problem free. Nobody would ever know with hood closed. It even starts with the factory foot stomp pedal.
I know the modern GMC trucks are just badge engineered Chevys. Just out of curiosity, were the GMC and Chevy pickup trucks different under the hood back then?
Yes, GMC and Chevrolet each Had their own exclusive six cylinder engines