Hello fellow Chev truck owners I have just purchased a 1954 Chev Truck Model 1100 which from what I can gather was built for the Australian market by GMH. It is certainly not much to look at and at this stage all I have is a couple of photos, when I return from work this week I am going to have it picked up and towed home then the fun begins. I have joined this forum to find out a little more about my truck and build my knowledge base so I can restore the old girl to it's former glory.
Firstly what I am trying to find is some technical specifications for this truck is the Model 1100 a dedicated Australian type or was it actually built for the USA market also. I do not have much to go on at this stage it would seem to be about a 4 ton rated vehicle mounting dual wheels at the back overall length is about 6.8 metres, 22 ft in USA measurements. Not sure on the engine type but given the vintage I would say a 235 cu inch is likely.
Will find out more when I get it home and hose out all of the Australian Bush nasties hiding in and around the old girl and check the nameplates.
So if anyone could help with specifications that would be appreciated.
I cannot help you with the specs but the factory assembly manual does show some details for right hand drive trucks
The manual is availiable for purchase at most the vendors in the U.S. not sure how that affects you. ...link...
I dont believe the holdens were availiabe for purchase here in the US, but I could be wrong.
I would like to see the pics when you get them
A few of the auusie 54’s Ive seen pics of are distinct because the windshield is two piece like the earlier years. Not a one piece windscreen like we have over here in the U.S.
Hy Turbineman, welcome, 1100 is actually a Canadian model, a 1 1/2 ton truck in Canada, they have a GVW of 11,000 lbs. and were available in two different wheelbases 137 inches or 161 inches. They were powered by a 235 cubic inch Chevrolet inline six cylinder engine. Hope that helps.
The Truck is a Split Screen I know that much found some info so it is a 3 tone rated or a 5 ton rated unit will have to get home to check it out further.
Since we have confirmation the truck is a “Big Bolt”, I’m going to move this thread over to that forum.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
A 54 made in the U.S. would have a one piece curved windshield and you say yours is a split unit which is 47-53. Not unheard of for vehicles not sold during the calendar year to be titled as the following year. We are all awaiting photos.
My Canadian shop manual shows 1100 series to be either 1 or 1.5 ton. Do you have the exact model? Example: 1131 or better yet model and serial number, then I can get more specific for you. Congrats on joining the club!
Thanks for the reply's i have a couple of things to check when I pick up the new truck in a couple of days, will get back to forum with a bit more information. Pretty sure the truck is a 4 speed but i do not thing it has the Timmens 2 speed diff, Where would the switch be located for selecting the hi/lo ration tried googling this without success. I do have a picture of the dash but nothing much is obvious at this time. i have included a couple of pictures basically I have not seen the vehicle in the flesh so to speak as of yet.
Looks like a '54 first series(two piece windshield). Timken two speed rear axles had ratios of slow and slower, if fitted. Low not of much use. 4 speed should be SM-420, good trans. Shift lever on diff. will identify if single or two speed. Engine should be 235 or 261, unless downsized for OZ?
Ed
'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.
Hey there turbineman. Mate the best place I have found for info on the chev trucks is on the gmheritage website. If you there and click on archives or something you can find a link to trucks and from there click on your year and it has all the info for that year. Build sheet, code numbers the works. Has been an amazing source of info for my 43 gmh built truck.
Here, give this a crack. On a side note re diff speeds slow and slower I have a 5.43 single speed from a 41 army ambulance I would be willing to part with
Well I picked the new baby up the other day and have cleared the spiders and bits and bits left behind by numerous small rodents. The vehicle is pretty much as expected with rust in the back corners of the cab, the front floors, the doors supports and inner kick panels. So not to bad for sitting in a farmers paddock under the gum trees for the past 15 odd years. I have the vehicle code and I am sure someone can tell me what they all mean, still trying to identify the engine although I have another 1/2 an inch of grease and dirt to move to find the stamping on the engine, looks to be a 235 though. It has a 4 speed box and no 2 speed diff, looks like the truck is rated for 4 Ton or in Aussie weights 3600 kilograms. The Tray is just over 12 feet long and about 7 1/2 feet wide. Looks like it was painted red at some point in time. So working on a jobs list for the restoration and making a list of parts I need to purchase, I am trying to find the correct naming convention for some of the rust repair panels and I did add a post in the paint and repair forum to try and work this out.
What year is the truck? It has a 54/55 front clip and an older style cab with the divided windshield. The front clip also has a different patina, maybe it's been swapped out over the years or did Holden build them that way???
Mike B
Mike Boteler
1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod 1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep 1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo 1984 Jeep CJ7 +++++ Silver Spring, MD
