That is a nice ol’ feller. Looking at the ID plate: 6KSI 1563 - 6 = Oakland, Ca. KS = 1952 3800 1-ton.
I = September. 1563 shows it was # 563 to be assembled that year. I’m not sure what the stamped digits are above the serial number?
What does the speedometer look like? 1949-1951 White needle 80MPH, 1952-1953 white needle 90MPH.
It looks like a foot activated park brake. I thought the 1-tons used the hand lever to the right of the transmission. Is your transmission a floor, or column shift? Just curious. Maybe it was placed out of the way of access through the passenger door?
There are several articles on the Jim Carter website (in the Blog section) about the changes over the years. Your question gives me an excuse to look through them…
1952-53 Korean War = no chrome. Your bumper looks painted.
It’s hard to see but it looks like your rear bumper does not follow the contour at the ends. I too have a 1-ton panel and my rear bumper does not follow the curvature of the body. The smaller panel trucks do have a rear bumper that matches the contour. I have seen a few 1-tons for sale with the flatter rear bumper, but have not read anything about this.
I was thinking you could get a date code off the engine block. I just read the engine mounting was changed in 1952 for cars only, but the blocks were all changed. If you have a front mounted 216 engine from 1952, it will have the 3 holes on each side. Easier to check than looking for a date code.
Here is an interesting detail. The Hood side emblems. 1949-1951 in addition to the Chevrolet emblem, a 3100 emblem was mounted below.
