The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Newbie with a newbie question.

Hi,

I'm in the market for a 53 chevy 3100 truck. I just went to see one today and was wondering if I saw the deluxe version.

The one I saw had the big mirrors on each side (like towing mirrors) the braket for the spare tire on the driver side.
There was a light on the driver side adjustable from inside the cab (the type you find on police cars...) I don't know if it's stock. It has the original 1953 camper shell (I don't know if it's really worth it but the owner is telling me that the shell is really valuable.)
It has also a heavy duty bumper , the type with towing ball (probably not stock).

Is that the deluxe version, or just options or just upgrades.

Let me know. I'm kind of lost with all those information.

Thanks for your time and knowledge.

Peioa

Hy Peioa, Welcome, "deluxe" trucks would have stainless steel trim around the windows, fancy heaters, stuff like that. What you saw was a truck with options for towing and carrying a camper, plus it has a spotlight, a popular option in the fifties, hope that helps.

Hi Peioa,as 3B said, it's probably been 'modified' to suit a previous owners needs.
Sounds like a cool truck,got any pics?
The camper shell sounds interesting.

The heavy duty bumper may be a Bardon Bumper, it is very industrial looking. The telescopic mirrors are possibly an option from the dealership. The spotlight was most likely built by Unity. This could have been a optioned pick up from the dealer, but the parts could also be add ons by the previous owner(s)

If you have pictures, post them. I would be curious to see the camper shell. I know I have seen an original early fifties GM shell, but I could not find it tonight. I will look some more. Here's some old fords with vintage campers on them.


Vintage campers

Peioa,

In 1953, there were fewer "De Luxe" options than were available in 1951 and earlier and in 1954/55. One type of options that had been called De Luxe were chrome pieces - in 1952 and 1953 the chrome options (and some formerly chrome standard equipment items) were eliminated due to shortages of some metals during the Korean Conflict.

As stated above, there was standard equipment, and there were Regular Production Options (RPOs: installed at the factory), and there were GM accessories installed by the dealer and/or owner, and there were non-GM after-market accessories.

The optional items (RPOs) in 1953 that a dealer or an owner might consider to be deluxe might have been:

- 5 window cab (two additional corner windows)
- tinted glass (L-O-F E-Z-Eye markings etched into the windows)
- bed-side spare tire mount on the driver's side (first year this RPO was available)
- Air Flow Heater (mounted to the right-side inner-cowl under the glove compartment)
- fuel pump with vacuum-wiper booster (dual action fuel pump)
- driver's side door lock
- passenger side exterior mirror, mounted on the cowl

Here is a list of standard equipment and many of the available RPOs.
Here is a list of all the RPOs available in 1953 (note that not all RPOs were available on all models of trucks).
Here is a list of GM accessories available in 1953

Tim

If it's an original camper, it has to be worth a lot. Some time ago someone posted photos of one of the original campers and it was indeed an unusual addition and quite rare. I've seen several canopy Suburbans but only one camper option.

Please!

There were after-market non-GM camper-conversions (or, at least non-GM camper-like conversions or kits) that are shown in Chevrolet special equipment truck Silver Books during Advance-Design years.

Here is a GMC with a canopy-cover (and special bed) after-market option called the "Huckster", which was an option available on at least 3/4 ton GMC from the 30s-60s.

Many people seem to also use the name "Huckster" for the Canopy Express model 3107/3817 (available to the end of the Advance-Design series). The relatively rare Canopy Express was a model not an option.

Does anyone have an RPO number for a factory-option camper or bed-cover/canopy for a Chevrolet pick-up?

Here is a factory camper option:
- 1965 Chevrolet truck RPO Z81 Camper Special package available on the C20 (3/4 ton) pickup.
- 1961 Corvair Greenbriar Sports Wagon (van) dealer installed Camper Kit (GM Part #985103). Maybe this is not a truck but it was a very fine vehicle (that leaked a lot of oil in hot climates).

Nonetheless, any original camper package on a pre-60s truck would be rare and most interesting too have. Please post photos.

Here are a few pics from an old e bay add. It looks like a fairly original truck. I don't believe it sold at the time because the reserve was not met.
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22171451

That was the one I remember. Peioa, does the camper shell have a manufacturers tag on it?

I'm waiting for the seller to clean up the car (and run it as He promised me). The car was his daily driver two years ago. Has been sitting since. But the Engine was rebuilt and the car was painted before he stored it in his garage.

I will take pics as soon as I see the truck again (and maybe buy it...) but the shell seems to be an original Chevy ( I didn't see any other brandname on it (it looks just like the pic in here http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22171451
But not as tall and in better condition with windows , etc.

Peioa

Maybe buy it???
It's a no brainer, without photo's. If it's all there and he's going to show you it runs, I'd be running to make sure he got his bux before someone else finds it and buys it out from under you. They ain't making them any more!
Hard to find an old truck in that kinda shape that still has a soul to share with you. You'll never regret buying it and the feelings and memories it can make with you.....Priceless!

That's the truck (without the camper - pic is old but truck is in same condition)

What do you guys think.
http://s578.photobucket.com/albums/ss224/peioa/?action=view&current=richard1.jpg

Peioa

The "original Chevy" camper linked to above seems to have been built by Borg Welding & Manufacturing Co. in California.

In that condition???
http://s578.photobucket.com/albums/ss224/peioa/?action=view&current=richard1.jpg

Running or not I would buy it motors are simple, body work.....