West Coast Classics are proud to present this rare 1957 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON 'CAMEO CARRIER 3124' PICK UP.
ORIGINAL FEATURES INCLUDE:
MOLDED FIBERGLASS SIDE COVERS & BED
DISTINCTIVE CAMEO TAIL LIGHTS
FRONT & REAR CHROME BUMPERS
HIDDEN SPARE TIRE
CORRECT ORIGINAL '779' TWO-TONE PAINT CODE : 'OCEAN GREEN' OVER 'BOMBAY IVORY' COVES
12 VOLT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPECIAL 'FLIGHT RIDE' CUSTOM CAB
'SWEEP-SIGHT' WRAPAROUND WINDSHIELD, FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE TRUCK INDUSTRY
HIGH VENTILATION SYSTEM
CONCEALED SAFETY STEPS
DOUBLE ACTING FRONT & REAR SHOCKS
FOAM RUBBER 'NU-FLEX' BENCH SEAT
DUAL SUNSHADES
FULL VIEW REAR GLASS
1 OF ONLY 2,244 CAMEOS BUILT IN '57
CLASSIC & COLLECTIBLE VINTAGE TRUCK KNOWN FOR ITS DISTINCTIVE BLEND OF UTILITY & PASSENGER CAR STYLING BUILT IN LIMITED NUMBERS FROM 1955-1958!
1957 YEAR CAMEO CARRIER PICK UP - RARE SURVIVOR & RUNNING BARN FIND!
UPGRADED V8 ENGINE & 4 SPEED MANUAL TRANS!
In 1954, the renown automotive designer Chuck Jordan presented his design for a new luxury truck to executives at Chevrolet which would become one of the significant American designs of the era, the jewel of the 3100 series line, a beautiful smartly slab sided stylish triumph with deluxe car style cues with a fiberglass bed and rear fenders, a full width rear window and a smooth sided cargo bed.
The new pickup was defined by one major alteration: a smooth-sided bed that extended straight back from the cab, as opposed to the traditional step-side design. This was accomplished with the unique installation of fiberglass skins, which completed a streamlining effect by extending the cabs body contours down the side of the bed which was then accented with additional trim that outlined a band of contrasting two-tone paint.
The fiberglass panels were produced by 'Molded Fiber Glass' of Ashtabula, Ohio the same company that managed construction of the early Corvette bodies. Chevy executives were to green light production and by 1955 the newly named 'Cameo Carrier' was in production.
Initially in 1955 available only in White with Red accents inside the box and around the cab, the Cameos colors were expanded to eight hues a year later, complemented by a small assortment of contrasting colors on the bedside inserts and around the cab glass.
For 1957, some trim changes were made to the Cameo, along with the addition of a few more colors. Mechanical upgrades were options at extra cost although Chevrolet was primarily focused on the trucks visual design and cargo management.
"Who said you can't combine utility and beauty in a half-ton pickup? Chevrolet has done it! Just look at Chevrolets new Cameo Carrier, which combines dazzling beauty and rugged utility on the new Chevrolet half-ton truck chassis", so said the divisions 1957 ad campaign for the Cameo.
"The Cameo Carrier features a special Flight-Ride Custom Cab with Sweep-Sight windshield, Full-View rear window, special reinforced plastic outer side and tailgate panels, hooded headlamps, hide-away spare tire, fluted wheel covers, and special two-toned exterior. And this style leader handles a payload of 1,650 pounds with a gross vehicle weight of 5,000 pounds."
Only 2,244 Cameos were produced in 1957, or just 0.6% of total pickup production, making this one very rare and collectible truck indeed!
Chevy's first attempt at a truly "stylized" luxury version of the work-a-day pickup, today these are highly prized amongst Chevrolet/GM collectors.
This original specification 'Ocean Green & Bombay Ivory' example boasts all of the chrome extras, including the bedside chrome and uber rare hood ornaments and wheel trim rings.
The interior is pure 1957, with correct patterned upholstery, deluxe door panels, and dash. It starts easily, has no smoke or blow-by, idles, runs, turns, drives, and stops well.
This investment quality truck is ready to fully restore, or simply drive and enjoy as is. Priced well below Hagarty valuation for an example in this condition, if you can ever find another one of these for sale (much less nicer than this one) for less, buy it!
WEIGHTS & MEASURES
WHEELBASE: 114 inches
OVERALL LENGTH: 193.5 inches
OVERALL WIDTH: 77 inches
OVERALL HEIGHT: 77.5 inches
FRONT TRACK: 60.5 inches
REAR TRACK: 61 inches
CURB WEIGHT: 3,515 pounds
From 1955-58, Chevrolet built a total of 10,321 Cameo Carrier half-ton pickups. Production by model year was 1955: 5,220 units; 1956: 1,452 units; 1957: 2,224 units; 1958: 1,405 units.
