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#1237711 10/04/2017 11:52 AM
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J
'Bolter
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I'm not sure if anyone can help but there was a thread discussing these some time ago,my search has been fruitless.
Can anyone here recall this or have alink to the thread here.
Here's a link to a for sale thread showing such a beast,I was wondering if it was one of the ones discussed here as I'm sure some of you are aware they are extremely rare!
Only six were originally built I believe.

Any info would be appreciated,thanks in 'Advance'. grin

'Humpback' Panel truck



1950 Chevy Advance Design 3100 in Scotland
In the Stovebolt Gallery
More pix on Flickr.
I've definately got this truck thing in my blood ... my DNA sequence has torque settings
"Of all the small nations of this earth,perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind" Winston Churchill.
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B
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Haha. Hey, John. I was just looking for the same thread to link it to the AD facebook group. grin

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Originally Posted by jockbolter50
Can anyone here recall this.


Any info would be appreciated,thanks in 'Advance'. grin

'Humpback' Panel truck
Jock, I remember the thread but can't help you more than that.

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J
'Bolter
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Don't believe this was a GM factory body, most likely some "after market" item. The after market industry was big back in the day with all sorts of mods for your vehicle.

Last edited by JiMerit Boltr#43; 10/04/2017 5:56 PM.

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1946 1/2-Ton Chevy
1953 Chevy 3/4-ton Factory Stakebed
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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Rare indeed.

Factory or special order it is rare.

There was no RPO 390 or 391 listed in 1953, but, who knows?

I think the "before" photo is attached, below.
Attachments
humpback panel.jpg (137.94 KB, 239 downloads)

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Cruising in the Passing Lane
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judging by the interior modifying welds shown in Jocks post, I'd say that's definitely NOT factory

Bill



Moved over to the Passing Lane

"When we tug a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world" ~ John Muir
"When we tug a single thing on an old truck, we find it falls off" ~ me
Some TF series details & TF heater pics
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
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I agree, Bill
Attachments
humpback welds 1.jpg (38.8 KB, 211 downloads)
humpback welds 2.jpg (37.16 KB, 208 downloads)

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5
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Are those not gas welds? Gas welds were what was used back then in other areas (like where the bedside meets the rear bed cross sill, or where the rocker panel meets the hinge and lock pillars), and it was done sloppily.


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
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Gas welds or not, Carl

What is your guess - GM factory, or, not?

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'Bolter
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Hey John. That pic Tim posted is the image I was thinking of from the old thread.

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Bubba - Curmudgeon
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Thanks, Tim!

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Originally Posted by tclederman
Gas welds or not, Carl

What is your guess - GM factory, or, not?
Are there any records whatsoever that GM ever made a humpback? If not, then it would be plausible that the hideous gas welds in those pictures would be period correct for a coach builder for that time period, and likely authentic, though not by GM.
Now if you want to see some hideous factory gas welds, take a look at those on the frame of a late '50s/early '60s Thunderturd.
Carl


1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
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Bubba - Curmudgeon
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I am not a gambler, but I would be willing to bet a 12-pack of popsicles that GM did not make that humpback.

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I know Chevrolet did some odd things, but this truck, if a 53 appear to have the wrong engine. The engine looks like a 1950-52 splash 235.
Maybe it is a Canadian truck?


See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet!
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So Chevrolet is making 300,000+ trucks a year, selling all of them too. So they pull 6 trucks out of production and hand fit them as illustrated? Nope, volume manufacturers don't do that (and a bakery is not a compelling business reason), they contract it or let coach builders do it. That is why they are volume manufacturers. Pull out a Silver Book and look at the options and manufacturers, almost 200 pages of them, advertising these types of options, National Body, W.G. Reeves, Guy Barnette, Franklin Body, Proctor-Keefe, Herman Body, Atlas Body, etc. Unless the owner could produce COPO/Zone paperwork, no sale. Good story, cool truck, GM body, nope! Story like this begins with "Once upon a time..."
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/16736434779/in/album-72157631872034068/

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Certainly for $65K there better be documentation or else a good gamble. Although very cool truck .


1953 Chevrolet 3100
261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done
In the DITY Gallery
Video of the 261 running

1964 GMC 1000
305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
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Originally Posted by 52Carl
If not, then it would be plausible that the hideous gas welds in those pictures would be period correct for a coach builder for that time period, and likely authentic, though not by GM.

Some high end coachbuilders aren't exactly that fussy either Carl,I had reason to remove a rear glass from a Hooper bodied Rolls Royce recently,it's amazing what can be hidden behind acres of walnut veneer and mohair.
It was a stretch wheelbase and had some seriously rough looking welds.
The actual glass was held in with RTV sealant,small angle brackets and self tapping screws and we had no reason to believe it had been removed previously.

P.S. Thanks for everyones input.

Last edited by jockbolter50; 10/08/2017 12:59 PM.

1950 Chevy Advance Design 3100 in Scotland
In the Stovebolt Gallery
More pix on Flickr.
I've definately got this truck thing in my blood ... my DNA sequence has torque settings
"Of all the small nations of this earth,perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind" Winston Churchill.

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