The Chevrolet Thriftmaster Series 3100 truck gets our nod as the #2 best Chevy truck of all time. Photo from wikipedia.org

GM’s first post-WWII truck design was the Series 3100 trucks launched in 1947. They first became available on Saturday June 28, 1947, and it did not take these trucks long to mark their place in history. Sold with various minor changes over the years these trucks became the number one selling truck in the United States from 1947-1955.

The same basic design was used for all the trucks in the Chevy family, and that is why we have tabbed it as the #2 best Chevy pickup of all time.

The first year 1947 model featured a gasoline tank filler neck on passenger side of bed. There were no vent windows in doors and the hood side emblems read “Chevrolet” with “Thriftmaster” under it. While there were three different styles in this series, the Thriftmaster (1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton), the Loadmaster (larger than 1 ton), and COE Loadmaster, we are only considering the Thriftmaster for the #2 of all time.

Photo from www.mecum.com

The deluxe equipment package included side corner rear windows with all the trucks powered by a 90 horsepower straight-six. Options included rearview mirrors, oil bath air cleaner, heavy-duty clutch, double-acting rear springs, Tru-Stop brake equipment, inside fuel tank, wide running boards, oil filter, cab rear corner windows, and various tire options. Some dealer accessories, which varied from dealership or regions, included a tissue dispenser, license plate frame, antifreeze hydrometer, underhood lamp, cigarette lighter, hood ornament, windshield scraper.

These were designed and built to be the heavy haulers of the day. A pack mule by design but a legendary classic by desire. The styling for the Advance Design trucks was the inspiration for both the Chevrolet SSR and the Chevrolet HHR. Whatever options that you can find with the truck, a 1947 Chevrolet 3100 series truck is a design that remains a bull-nosed classic.