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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125 |
As cabs seem to be identical on '55 & '56 half tonners, I rely on fender side-trim & the hood ornament (on hood nose) to identify & differentiate. To the best of my knowledge:
- cab fender side trim was mounted below the crease on '55 pickups and above the crease on '56 models
- hood ornament was "fatter" on '55 pickups and longer and skinnier on '56 pickups
Is the foregoing correct? As so many have been rodded, those trim pieces are often no longer in place. Any other tricks to identify & differentiate a '55 from a '56?
CDP
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Willwood Engineering
Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. - 4700 Calle Bolero - Camarillo, CA 93012 - (805) 388-1188
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,469 Likes: 48
ChatMaster - 3,000
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ChatMaster - 3,000
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,469 Likes: 48 |
You're already ahead of me. I could never tell the difference. Same with '58/'59.
Mike
ml.russell1936@gmail.com
Many miles of happy motoring
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125 |
For '58/59 I also reference hood ornament (on hood nose):
- '58 has horizontal wings fanning out from Chevy bow tie, while
- '59 hood ornament is fatter/more compact
But again, if trim has been nosed & shaved, I can't tell the difference either
Last edited by CDP; 08/23/21 06:41 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125 |
Related question: How does one distinguish a 3100 pickup of 1954 from a so-called "first series" of 1955 (other than looking under the vehicle where one can see that the '54 has a torque tube while the first series '55 is open drive shaft)
Any other distinguishing give-aways?
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Joined: Jan 2002
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ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
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There are such things as some items were painted different colors but after 65+ years these items are not dependable.
Gene Schneider
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 177
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 177 |
As Gene mentioned, if they have not been changed over the years, the hood side emblems are different, the accent color on the grille bars...I am at a loss right now for other items.
Or the most obvious would be the serial number plate on the driver's door post being 55 or 54 depending on which year.
Last edited by Greg_H; 12/16/21 10:44 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125 |
Are gauge clusters on 1955/56/57/58 & 59 pickups identical?
CDP
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 125 |
Please allow me to re-word the question.
If one is at a swap meet and a number of V-shaped Chev dashes (gauge housings) are on a table, is there any reason that one chosen at random would not fit a '58 Chev pickup?
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 30,701 Likes: 141
ChatMaster - 25,000
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ChatMaster - 25,000
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All parts are the same except the 1955 late seconed trucks and all 1956-1959 trucks had pin type connectores on the back of the gas gauge.... Does not say what type of connector was on the back of the early 2nd design models.
There will be an ink stamped date on the back of the speedometer.
Gene Schneider
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