Got a question for the knowledgeable folks regarding the Steering Wheels used in the '54-'55 Advance Design (and the '55-'57 Task Force?) trucks.
How many spokes ?
I grew-up with and still have my Grandad's '54 Chevy 3600 pick-up, which had a black, three-spoke steering wheel, with the "finger grips" along the top of the two horizontal spokes.
I had a '55-first 3100 panel, and '55-first 4400 dump truck, both with that same wheel as Grandad's 3/4-ton.
Every '54-'55 Chevy truck I can ever remember seeing had a three-spoke steering wheel.
I was at an AACA Region show this past Sunday, and there was a beautiful '54 model 3800 1-ton pick-up on display. (three-spoke steering wheel).
My older buddy (67) who was with me commented that "it was just like the truck my best-friend's father had when I was in HS, except that one had a two-spoke steering wheel."
I politely suggested that couldn't be the case, but my friend wouldn't budge, and even checked with his friend whose father owned the truck, and confirmed that that particular truck had a two-spoke steering wheel: two big horizontal spokes, with the finger-grips, but no bottom spoke.
Can anyone explain this (to me) oddball steering wheel that my friend swears is "correct" ?
Thanks !
Frank54
Last edited by Frank54; 07/19/202210:08 PM.
Frank McMullen 1941 Chevy dump truck 1949 GMC 100 pick-up 1954 Chevy 3600 pick-up 1955.1 4400 dump truck 1941 De Soto & other MoPars 1928 Model A F**D Special Coupe
All that I have seen had 3 spokes. In '57 (you sort of asked) the steering wheel was dished.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
With today's technology it's simple to snap a picture and email across the world. A friend's friend's father says....
Here is a picture of a 54 Steering wheel. It came off a 4 door truck (wink..wink) called the Chevy 210.
Well, the '54 3100 in question with the two-spoke steering wheel went to its reward over fifty years ago, and if there are any pictures, no one's talking.
My friend is a retired Elecrical Egnineer, is extremely detail-oriented, and is also a lifelong Chevy nut, and owns one of the nicest unrestored 1940 Chevy sedans there is.
He usually knows what he's talking about.
Thanks for the picture of the car steering wheel. I will share it with my friend.
Frank54
Frank McMullen 1941 Chevy dump truck 1949 GMC 100 pick-up 1954 Chevy 3600 pick-up 1955.1 4400 dump truck 1941 De Soto & other MoPars 1928 Model A F**D Special Coupe
All that I have seen had 3 spokes. In '57 (you sort of asked) the steering wheel was dished.
Bill - thanks. I did include the '57; I thought I remembered some of the Task Force trucks using the '54 wheel, but wasn't sure if they all did.
Frank54
Frank McMullen 1941 Chevy dump truck 1949 GMC 100 pick-up 1954 Chevy 3600 pick-up 1955.1 4400 dump truck 1941 De Soto & other MoPars 1928 Model A F**D Special Coupe
Every unmodified truck I've ever seen had a 3-spoke wheel...
54, 55-1 & 55-2 all used the same Black wheel as standard issue.
56 used the same wheel, but it was Charcoal.
Mike B
Hey Mike - Thanks !
Hughesville ?
I grew-up up in Howard County.
Best,
Frank54
Frank McMullen 1941 Chevy dump truck 1949 GMC 100 pick-up 1954 Chevy 3600 pick-up 1955.1 4400 dump truck 1941 De Soto & other MoPars 1928 Model A F**D Special Coupe
The thing is, GM was a frugal company and trucks were not the ones to receive "fashion" changes on a whim. A new body design lasted many years. Some parts used came from cars. There is a cost to having a one-off manufactured part sit on a stockroom or warehouse shelf waiting to be used or purchased. GM was obligated to stock spare parts for decade(s). In a nutshell, if there was a special 2 spoke truck steering wheel made for 1954 to 1956 Chevrolet trucks, it would have had a reason or purpose.
I would do research toward it's application:
*) Military *) Agriculture *) Airport taxiing vehicles *) Exported vehicles *) US Postal Service
That period steering wheel has a solid steel core (round stock), inside a formed substance like concrete covered by thick color coat. With a hacksaw blade you can cut out the lower spoke, sand and repaint the wheel to a factory fresh look. The logic of it or reason for is beyond me.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
Hey Mike - Thanks ! Hughesville ? I grew-up up in Howard County. Best, Frank54
Yup Hughesville...
I spent lots of time walking George Wise's ("Dollar George") junk yard on Hall Shop Road in the mid 70's. My son lives in Highland now...
The only changes in the steering wheels that I'm aware of are the color they were made...the Cameo's got colored wheels to match the interior and '56 went Charcoal, but the mold stayed the same. Like Bouymaker said there's no money to made by having more than one wheel to pick from.
Mike B
Mike Boteler
1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod 1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep 1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo 1984 Jeep CJ7 +++++ Silver Spring, MD
"I spent lots of time walking George Wise's ("Dollar George") junk yard on Hall Shop Road in the mid 70's. My son lives in Highland now..."
Mike B [/quote]
George Wise....
I pulled a 1950 Chrysler New Yorker out of there around 1985-86, dragged it back to Elkridge with the '54 3/4-ton and a very tired ex- U Haul tow-bar.... the Stovebolt was panting a bit by the time we got home.
Totally different world down there now...
Frank 54
Last edited by Frank54; 07/20/202210:44 PM.
Frank McMullen 1941 Chevy dump truck 1949 GMC 100 pick-up 1954 Chevy 3600 pick-up 1955.1 4400 dump truck 1941 De Soto & other MoPars 1928 Model A F**D Special Coupe
