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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,030 Posts1,055,418 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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| | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 220 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 220 | Hello!
Just sold my '59 Apache, so now I'm on the hunt for what I really want, a '57 3100 stepside.
Found one in VT (originally from GA), but the current owner says that it has an "automatic from the 60", but I don't know if it was a stick to auto conversion or if the truck was born with an automatic.
So - were trucks in '57 even available with automatics?
If yes, how can I tell if the truck originally came with a slushbox, or if it was converted to one, i.e. will the VIN tell me?
I'd be interested in the truck if it was born with a stick, but I have absolutely NO interest in an original automatic truck.
Thanks...
Chris | | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 13 | If the truck was an automatic from the factory I would think that it would be even more collectable than if it had a standard transmission. For my line of thinking what transmision or what engine it had would be the least of my worries, whether the frame or body was really beat up or rusty would be way more important to me. Thats just me though as changing the engine or tranny is way easier than body work for me. Good luck in your search for a truck, I as sure you will find the one you want. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 457 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 457 | Yes, automatics were available in the early 50s, I remember
"hearing" a '54??? (Definitely an AD) years ago (1970s) with a Hydramatic....I remember because I thought it unusual. It caught my ear because I had a '59 Apache 31 panel truck with stock 235 and Hydramatic (with only 60K miles at the time!) Someone with a book will be along with exact dates.....
Last edited by 40casey; 05/21/2012 11:33 PM.
1940 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup "KC"
A day without sunshine is like, well, ..... dark!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 220 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 220 | Real -
Thanks. The body appears to be in good shape. I'm not looking for a truck to restore, rather something to make into a resto-rod...some decent patina with an upgraded drivetrain (big block/4spd/posi rear) but pretty much stock everything else (cept maybe the brakes). My '53 3100 is my "original" truck (although that even has a T-5 5 spd and a 3.73 rear).
I'm perfectly capable of converting to a stick from an automatic, but I'd like to start with something that was a stick in the first place.
Chris | | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 139 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 139 | Chris, 54 was 1st yr for Chevy to offer HydraMatic as an option. I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) GMC was a yr earlier in 53. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,966 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,966 |
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