Passion is essential to creativity. If you’re not into what you’re doing, why would anyone else be interested? That enthusiasm has to start with the you. Otherwise, you might as well “create” coldly and clinically by committee. If other people happen to love what you make, even better. The man who commissioned the build of our Pick of the Day, a customized 1955 Chevrolet Cameo listed for sale by an Illinois dealership on ClassicCars.com, clearly had a vision and the determination to manifest it physically. And, once he did, his unique truck received what you could consider the ultimate seal of approval.
In 1955, Chevrolet switched from its “Advance Design” line of trucks to the “Task Force” series. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the new pickups was the forward lean to the headlights, A-pillars, cabs, and bodies, which gave the rigs what Chevy called the “‘load-pulling’ look.” That was also the year Chevrolet introduced Model 3124, otherwise known as the Cameo Carrier (or just plain ol’ Cameo). The half-ton truck had a 114-inch wheelbase, “deluxe exterior, appointments and trim,” various reinforced plastic body components and, of course, style. One thing it didn’t have? An extended cab.
A previous owner of this first-year Cameo changed that—and a lot of other things. He had the original underpinnings replaced with the frame from a 1986 Suburban. That added more than a foot of length, leaving space for a custom extended cab. The resulting bespoke body was then finished in Bombay Ivory and Cardinal Red, and equipped with extended bright trim above and below the side glass that leads to the big rear window. Some one-off jobs can look a bit awkward and goofy, but this is not one of them. The change was made subtly and tastefully.
Behind that unique cab is a bed with an oak plank floor and an integrated gooseneck hitch with concealed wiring. Also hidden is the equipment for the navigation system, which fits behind the bed panels that obscure the wheel wells.
Inside that special cab is a 1999 Dodge bench seat that was recovered in red and white upholstery. Other more modern amenities include power windows and brakes, RainGear windshield wiper system, Flaming River tilt steering column, VDO gauges, and Vintage Air climate control system.
Just like the cab, the engine got up-sized. The original one was replaced with a fuel-injected 454ci V8, and the three-speed gearbox was tossed in favor of a Turbo 400 and Gear Vendors under/overdrive unit.
Altogether, those upgrades make this Cameo into a more capable tow rig. It’s an impressive build. In fact, it was so impressive that it received a thumbs-up from Chuck Jordan, the former VP of Design for General Motors and the man who penned the original Cameo’s lines.
If you approve of this one-off 1955 Chevrolet Cameo and want to use it to tow your restored vintage Camaro to the next event, it’ll cost you $99,500.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com