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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,056 Posts1,055,799 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 28 | Hello, when was this introduced? I had one on my '54. Was it also on the 1.5 ton and larger trucks? I am specifically wondering about the '46 1.5-2 ton models. Thanks. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 914 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 914 | I think you are talking about a vent that is on the top center of the cowl between the windshield and the hood.
The name for that vent is a Cowl Vent.
Most cars and trucks had cowl vents from about 1932 to 1947.
I do not know about the Advance Design trucks. Maybe they had cowl vents up till 1953.
I also do not know when they stopped making windshields that cranked open.
I do know the 1935 Buick I had had a cowl vent.
My son's 1946 Art Deco has a cowl vent and the windshield opens.
I am sure those that know the exact years Chevrolet's had cowl vents and windshields that opened first came out and the last year they were made that way will be posting here. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 4,961 | I would think he is talking about the cowl vent. They were used through the 55.1. They were actually pretty worthless. All they did was let hot air in and stir up the dust. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,274 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,274 | With the little amount of air that comes in through the door windows, without the cowl vent, it would be absolutely miserable to drive one of these trucks around here.
Worthless?!
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 93 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 93 | Mine works great on my 47. The amout of air it passes is a lifesaver on hot days.
Dust? Who cares, it is a driver! Wouldn't want to go far without it.
1947 GMC Truck 5 window, Long Bed
2008 Corvette Roadster
2008 Harley Davidson FXDL
2011 F150 Ecoboost 4X4
2015 Subaru Outback AWD
"only the strong survive"
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 28 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 28 | Yes, cowl vent. I liked it on my 54 and I liked how you could open it a little or a lot and a few notches in-between. I just wasn't sure if the trucks with the opening front windows also had the cowl vent. Thanks for the info everyone. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Top cowl vent - all Advance-Design years (1947-1955)
Driver's side-cowl vent 1947-1950 (the door vent window was introduced in 1951 and the side vent was eliminated).
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 Crusing in the Passing Lane | | Crusing in the Passing Lane Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 5,096 | My '54 has one, my '37 T-18 does not, has side vents.
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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