52 Carl, When I taught at GWU, a product quality class was part of the Curriculum. A transcript was available from GM Chevrolet division in late 1952. The board members were concerned that the sales of their advance design trucks was showing a drop. It was determined that most farms kept the design to long because it did not rust out. At this same meeting they decided to phase in the mid 55 design. As all of us that have had a tri 5 and later we knew that the doors held water and would rust out fast. Oldsmobile division also had an abundance of one piece wind shields thus the one piece design on 54 and 55.1. The owners found the previous advance design trucks were easy to work on the mechanical plus the cabs lasted too long. If a person keeps the cab corners and doors cleaned out any moisture will pass out the drains. All my 55's up through my 66's had large amounts of rust ( Florida trucks),except the two from Arizona. During the transition the steel formula was also changed. I must admit that until the 265/283's engines were introduced the old stovebolts were easier to work on. I love them all. Planned obsolescence became part of all of the big 3 vernacular Doc.
