1947 Chevy Truck: The Classic American Pickup Truck

The 1947 Chevy truck is known as one of the iconic automobiles of the 20th century, especially since it came with an attractive look and creative comforts that made it stand out. Known as the epitome of the American pickup truck, it’s a popular choice for collectors.

The highlight of the 1947 trucks is the fact that it was the first major redesign after the Second World War, giving a unique look. In this guide, we will take a closer look at the Chevrolet pickup released in 1947.

Overview of the 1947 Chevy Truck

The 1947 Chevy truck is known as the 1947 Chevrolet Advance Design truck, and is the first in the series. It is a series of light and medium duty trucks made by Chevrolet. It is also called the 1947 Chevrolet 3100, and marks the first major redesign of a Chevrolet truck after the Second World War. GMC also released the GMC New Design as a counterpart to this truck.

The 1947 Chevy pickup was marketed as a larger, sleeker and stronger pickup in comparison to the AK Series, which was before it. It was first released on the 28th of June, 1947, and the series ended by 1955. There were also some minor changes to the truck after the 1947 model year. The Task Force series replace the Advance Design model.

The design of the 1947 Chevy was also used for other trucks like the Chevy Suburban, canopy express, panel trucks and cab overs. The cab overs were an impressive part of the 1947 Chevy series, as they used the same configuration as the pickup but with a smaller hood and different fenders.

The 1947 truck was the number one in sales in the United States, and there were rebranded versions sold at different GMC locations. It came with multiple engine and transmission options, and a classy interior that appealed to the post-war customer base. The truck came in different sizes which are half, three-quarter and full-ton.

History of the 1947 Chevy 3100 Truck

After the Second World War, Chevrolet wanted to make its new truck lineup more modern. The carmakers wanted to combine the workhorse ability of the truck with livability and creature comforts. The truck debuted in 1947 and was marketed as Advanced Design or 3100. It also formed the base for the Chevy Suburban and panel van.

When the 1947 Chevy pickup was released, it came with creature comforts. It came with a broad five-bar grille and the Art Deco concept can be seen in the font used in the gauges and badging. It also had streamlined fenders in the front and rear. It also came with Stepside running boards, integrated headlights, a split windshield and hidden door hinges.

Chevrolet designed the interior of the pickup cabin to be more spacious than the pre-war releases. The marketing stated that the bunch seat could accommodate three adults, although it would be more comfortable for two. The truck bed was also wider by three inches. It also came with a larger windshield for greater visibility.

The carmaker also added a fresh-air heater and defroster, AM radio and a glove box. Under the hood of the car was a 216 cubic-inch straight-six engine called the Thriftmaster, with an output of 90 horses and 175 pound-feet of torque. It was also pared with a three-speed synchromesh manual transmission.

• The Five-Window Deluxe Cab

The 1947 Chevy is pretty popular, but the Advanced Design pickups are also known for the Deluxe Cab. This version of the truck came with several comfort features that increased its popularity. These included the driver’s side arm rest, additional trims to the windows and seats, sun visor, and an optional chrome grille.

The highlight of the deluxe cab was the extra two windows. The windows were called the “Nu-Vue Rear-Corner” windows, and were installed into the B-pillar to get rid of blind spots. The five-window truck is still a popular choice for collectors who are interested in the 1947 Chevy. The design was definitive in its era and it is still charming today.

Features and Specifications

The 1947 Chevy is a pickup truck that came with 2-door design. It was based on the GM A platform and had an FR layout. It was one of the most popular models from Chevrolet, with high demand and sales. It also came with different features and other options.

• Engine Power

There were different engine options offered by the Chevy, but the 1947 option only offered the 216 cubic-inch 3.5-liter I6. The other engine options were a 235 cubic-inch 3.9-liter I6 and 261 cubic-inch 4.3-liter I6. The transmission for the car is 3 or 4-speed manual transmission, but the later models from 1954 came with a 4-speed Hydramatic automatic.

The engine has a displacement of 3548 cc and a horsepower of 90 bhp at 3300 RPM. The Torque is also 170 pound feet at 1200 RPM. The bore is 3.5 inches while the stroke is 3.8 inches. There is also a compression of 6.5:1 and four main bearings. The valvetrain is 12 OHV and it has a cast-iron cylinder block. The transmission is floor-mounted.

If you’re thinking of owning the 1947 Chevy now, you should keep in mind that the 216-cid inline-six engine is a bit weak for modern use. It comes with splash lubrication and babbit bearings. You might have to change the engine to a recent one or any of the post-1953 Chevy engines that are compatible with the truck.

• Dimensions

The dimensions of the Chevy include a wheelbase of 116 inches, while the length is 77.4 inches for the pickup. It also has a weight of 3200 pounds.

The panel truck also has the same dimensions but with a heavier weight of 3,415 pounds. The canopy express has the same dimensions, but the suburban has a higher weight of 3,515 pounds.

• Design

The Art Deco design of the 1947 Chevy is a highlight of the truck. It came with cutting-edge styling and features, and especially car-like elements added to the truck. The hood was front-opening instead of split for easy engine access, and the headlamps were integrated into the front fenders.

The windshield was also fixed in place and the wiper was parked on the cowl instead of dangling. Even the door hinges were revised because it was not visible from outside the truck. The 1947 truck was designed with a focus on ease of operation and comfort. It came with a wider interior and more hip, head and leg room.

For insulation and sound proofing, it came with a thicker dashboard and floor mat, and drivers could store their tools under the seats. The dashboard had space for an ashtray, a pushbutton truck radio and speaker, and a glove compartment. The bench seat could also be adjusted based on your height, and there was a lot of visibility in the design features.

• Other Specs

In terms of the handling, the tires are 6.00 x 16, while the wheels are drop center disc. The engine location is in the front and the drive type is rear-wheel. When it was released, it had a price range of $845 to $1,475. There were 671,545 Chevrolets released in 1947, including the truck.

Differences Between the 1947 Chevy and Other Model Years

The 1947 Chevy was a unique release but it received only minor changes throughout its run. Some elements of the first release can still be found in the later production years, although there were minor changes up until the truck was discontinued in 1955. One notable change was when the 1948 model year was fitted with a shifter on the steering column rather than floor-mounted.

The 1949 model also relocated the gas tank to the back of the seat, and the gas filler was taken to the lower right of the truck bed behind the passenger door. By 1950, the truck was fitted with telescopic shocks, and in 1951, it came with triangular ventilation windows. The nine-plank bed was modified into eight wider planks.

The 1954 Chevy model is easily identifiable by its curved windshield and the cross-bar grille design. It also comes with a pretty powerful engine, which is a 235 cubic-inch straight-six with optional Hydramatic automatic transmission and three-speed manual. The truck bed was redesigned to become bigger.

Throughout the time the 1947 Chevy pickup was running, the 3100 Advanced Design was the best-selling truck in the United States. It also came with an optional 265 cubic-inch V8 engine.

GMC HC-Series: Another Version Of The 1947 Chevy

The GMC HC-Series is a medium or heavy-duty version of the 1947 Chevy or Advance Design truck. The GMC HC was mainly used as a semi-truck and the smaller versions were produced and made available to buyers. The truck featured a narrower hood and fenders compared to the 1947 Chevy model.

The truck came with air brakes, which was a unique feature. It had an impressive payload capacity of 27,000 pounds for the GVW or 55,000 pounds for the GCW, depending on the version of the truck that you get.

The GMC HC-Series also came with a cab-over version, which was called the HF-Series. It was also nicknamed the Cannonball. The GMC version lasted from 1949 to 1958, similar to the Chevrolet model.

Styling Inspiration of the 1947 Chevy Pickup

The 1947 Chevy was known for its unique style that emerged after the war. Due to this, it can be found in many other trucks released after. The truck was really popular in the United States, and the styling was used on other trucks made by the General Motors overseas divisions like Opel and Vauxhall.

In 1952, the redesigned Opel Blitz was released. It had a similar appearance to the 1947 model. Also, Bedford Vehicles imported one Chevrolet Advance Design truck to study the design, and it was used to make their Bedford A-Type truck.

In the 2000s, the retro design was popular among automakers. Due to this, the style of the Advance Design was used for the Chevrolet SSR and the HHR crossover SUV, which was produced until 2012. This ended the legacy of the Chevy design.

Frequently Asked Questions

– How Much Did a 1947 Chevy Cost?

The 1947 Chevy costs $845 in the base price, but it went as high as $1,475 depending on the other features that buyers requested for. The trucks were highly affordable when released, as this costs an average of $13,000 in today’s economy.

– What Is the Oldest Chevy Vehicle?

The oldest Chevy vehicle is the 1912-14 Chevrolet Type C, also known as the Chevrolet Classic Six (Series C) or Model C. When it was first released, it was just called the Chevrolet since there were no other models to compare it with.

– How Heavy Is the 1947 Chevy?

The 1947 Chevy has a weight of 3,200 pounds. It has a wheelbase of 116 inches while the length was 77.4 inches. It was a larger, stronger and bigger car compared to the previously released vehicles from Chevrolet.

Conclusion

The 1947 Chevy truck is one of the oldest pickups from Chevrolet, but remains one of the best vintage trucks for your collection.

Here’s a summary of our article on this truck:

• The 1947 Chevy is a classic American pickup that is also called the Advanced Design or Chevy 3100.
• The truck was released after the war, as Chevrolet wanted to make a post-war design based on the Art Deco concept.
• It was powered by a 216 cubic-inch 3.5-liter I6 engine which is paired with 3-speed manual transmission.
• There were unique design elements on the car like the front-opening hood, headlights in the front fender, and a spacious interior.

If you’re looking to build your classic car collection, you should consider the 1947 Chevy pickup. With its easily accessible design, you can modify the engine and specs to get the most out of it.