The 1955 Chevy pickup was a beauty, but in some ways bi-polar in character because there were two types; what is known as the First Series or Advanced Design, which had a rounded nose, and the latter-year models, the Task Force Series, which had a sharper nose design and ran through 1959.

The Advance Design was General Motors’ first major redesign after World War II, running from 1947 to 1955 and was touted as bigger, stronger and sleeker than it predecessor, the AK pickup truck. Three engines were available; the 216 ci I-6, 235 ci I-6 and the 261 ci I-6. And three transmissions could be had; the three-speed manual, four-speed manual, and eventually (1954-1955), the Hydramatic automatic transmission could be optioned.

Five models were built; the 3100 (1/2-ton), 3600 (3/4-ton), 3800 (1-ton), Thriftmaster and the Loadmaster. The 216 ci I-6 was dropped in 1953, and in 1954 the 235 ci I-6 was made available. By model-year 1953 the names Thriftmaster and Loadmaster were dropped and replaced with the number designations 4400 and 6400, respectively.

The 1955-model year Advance Design is considered very collectible, if not rare, by many because it was only produced up until March 1955, when the Task Force Design body was introduced. The 1955 is identical to the 1954, except for redesigned hood-side emblems and a modernized open driveshaft instead of an enclosed torque tube.

The 1954-1955 Chevy pickup trucks are characterized by curved one-piece glass without a center dividing strip; cargo bed rails, that previously angled were now horizontal; round tail lights instead of rectangular lights, and a grille made up of horizontal slats to a crossbar design known as a “bull nose.” The steering wheel and dashboard were also updated from earlier models.

Take a close look at this spectacularly restored specimen in the photos. We found this sweetheart for sale through e-Bay by Seaview Buick-GMC in Lynnwood, Washington. The dealership claims this 1955 Advance Design 235 ci I-6-powered Chevy 3100 pickup has gone through a complete body-off resto’ and has fewer than 800 miles on it since the rebuild. The paint is Woodland Green poly and Campus Cream two-tone done by D&L Restoration in Everett, Washington; and the rebuild was performed by Ed’s Automotive in Mukilteo, Washington. The asking bid was $22,200 the last we looked. Think about that for a minute while you scan these photos.