The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Cameo Identification

Hey guys. I'm looking for information about the Cameo pickup. Was it built in '57? If so, how can I identify it? I found this pickup I think might be a Cameo advertised as a regular pickup, but I can't tell. How can I be sure before I get excited?

The Cameo has Fiberglas bed sides. There is nothing in the serial number to indicate a Cameo.

The Cameo was built from '55 to midyear '58. There isn't anything in the serial number to ID one, as they used the same numbers as regular trucks. The bed is the primary difference. Also, they do tend to be high-option trucks, big window cab w/ full Deluxe trim and the chrome package was standard on them.

If you want to confirm what they looked like you can see all the Cameo models 55 - 58 at www.chevrolettruckservice.com/. As stated there is no sure fire way to identify a Cameo, but there are a lot of clues. Look at the door data plate in the left door jamb to see what is listed for RPOs if anything. In some cases the Cameo was identified on that plate as an "RPO (regular production option) 447" or just 447. Also, you can check the paint code to see if the code was really a Cameo color combination. Sometimes 3124 was penciled on the firewall, but not in all cases. The unique bed, bumpers and ends, chrome work, deluxe cab etc. including the 57 can all be duplicated, but, and a big but, it can get to be a costly thing to do. The 57 has "Cameo" script on the bed and "3124" in the spears most times. Lots of things to look for, but of course over 50+ years many things can be changed as well. Helps too if there is some paperwork trail with previous owners. Good luck with it. Dale

What's your purpose for finding out if it is really a factory Cameo? If it's to resell, unless it's flawless, it's worth what you pick it up for, clean it up costs and if it's complete and rust free, what the market will bear..

There is no one way to identify it if it has been pieced together or if it is incomplete. If it has the original hood with the spears, the spear should show 3124 (1957 was the only year that showed this number) all other years show that the model was 3124, but no name plates to reflect this. It should have the four piece chrome trim on the side (I believe this was one year only) Check to see if it was an original two tone cab (the second color would be the window band) Most other trucks of that year were solid colors. It should have the big back window and a stainless cab trim detail.

The complete bed with all of the components will fetch between $1000 and $3000. Pot metal breaks and pits badly. Tail lights are next to impossible to find good used ones (Reproductions are made from aluminum and costly) Spare tire compartment/bumper is usually missing.

If it was missing the bed, it would be just another project pickup. If the fiberglass was badly damaged and the Chrome pieces either missing or in bad condition, you would have a high dollar project truck. Many of the Cameos were ordered with the optional 283 cu (first year for the engine)

What is the price for this truck? How complete and is it running and titled?

'58s also had the bedside trim. Also, if it's a V8, it would be a 265, not a 283. The 283 was not available in light trucks (1/2-1 1/2 ton) until '58. It was used in larger trucks, however.

Sorry, I forgot that the trucks didn't have the option of 283 engine for 1957. I wasn't sure of the side trim, since the 58 is a pretty rare bird that's why I said "I believe it was a one year trim" I guess I should let the experts answer the task force questions!

No need to apolgize, it's actually a common for folks to list the 283 as being available in trucks, especially since it was used extensively in cars in '57.

according to Cameo1956's link above the 283 was "optional" in 1957. Doesn't this mean it could have been ordered with a 283?
Just stirring the pot a little here

I beg to differ on the 283 V8 engine not being available on the 1957 model trucks.

The 283 was an "unlisted" option in pickup models, and the 283 V8 was available in 1957 on ALL models, cars and trucks.

The way things were run in 1957, I wouldn't doubt that if a person had the right contacts within Chevrolet, he could have had a fuel injection in a truck if he wanted it bad enough.

what builder said, in the day a buyer could order any option made on any vehicle they were ordering, unlike nowadays where ya take whatever junk they put on it

Bill

While I will agree that someone with the right contacts could get a 283 in a light truck in '57, the manual only lists the 265 as the V8 for trucks under 1.5 ton. I also have never seen any reference that the 283 was available in "All models of car and truck" in '57. It is only listed for passenger car. So as far as a RPO, no, it was not used.

I worked at the Van Nuys assembly plant in 1957, there was not an option for the 283 engine in trucks. All truck engines were grey 265's with a 2 bbl. carb. There were some 283 engines installed at the dealer, never at the assembly plant.