Before the mid-’50s, Chevrolet’s pickups (as well as everybody else’s offerings) were lumpy and utilitarian. They were merely appliances. And then came the new Bow Tie offerings for 1955, which were styling knockouts, especially the beautiful Cameo, slab-side models. As a result, although the pickups of the mid-’50s and early ’60s were still working vehicles, people began driving them to town and to church on Sunday as well. Thanks to their handsome new looks, pickup trucks became acceptable as daily transportation. And that’s a trend that still exists today.

Big back windows, two-tone paint schemes, stainless trim, as well as deluxe interiors were available for those who wanted them, as were outstanding innovative 265 cubic-inch V-8 engines and automatic transmissions. But underneath the new bodywork was essentially the same simple workhorse Chevrolet pickup for which the company had become famous. Yes, the closed driveline was dumped for a more modern open driveshaft system, and the 216 six-cylinder engine with its splash lubrication and cast-iron pistons was jettisoned for the more modern 235 inline-6 with full pressure lubrication and aluminum pistons. But the chassis remained nearly identical.

Today, classic (’55-’60) Chevy trucks are still plentiful because of their nearly invincible ruggedness and simplicity and the fact that replacement parts are still cheap for them. In fact, nearly everything is available for them for a lot less than what parts for new trucks would set you back. As an example, a new fuel pump for a classic Chevy truck goes for just $45. Try finding one for your modern truck for that price. And a professionally overhauled small-block V-8 can be had for as little as $500. Also, you can rebuild your truck’s entire steering system for under $200. In fact, I would guess that you could restore a tired classic Chevy truck for less than you could buy a contemporary pickup!

And if you did, you would have a vehicle that would continue to increase in value rather than be worth less and less as the years go by. After all, the ’50s-era second series Chevy trucks have already stood the test of time. And they are still fairly common and inexpensive to buy unless you just have to own a rare Cameo with all the accessories, or want a fully tricked-out show truck all ready to go.

Of course, there are those who will tell you that the old trucks don’t go as fast as modern ones, and they would be right, but that is easily remedied. In fact, just about any engine you can imagine will fit under the hood of a classic Bow Tie pickup with room to spare. And transmissions—both automatic and standard, four, five or even six speeds—are also available. We’ll tell you how to install my favorite, the Mopar New Process A833 four-speed with overdrive.

"Yeah but they don’t stop very well either," you say? That’s easily remedied too, with a bolt-on power disc brake kit that can be installed in an afternoon. Upgrading ride and handling is no big deal either. In fact, nothing on classic-era Chevy trucks is very difficult to do. All of the upgrades and restoration work outlined in this book can be done at home with fairly basic tools, and we will show you how to make a tired old basic work truck into a vehicle that you will be proud to drive and enjoy.

You too can have a new classic Chevy truck that will last a lifetime, look great and be worth more ten years from now than what you put into it originally. Read on and we will show you how.