Chevy · 1955-1959
Task Force Series
The Task Force series (1955-1959) brought Chevrolet trucks the first wrap-around windshield, an optional small-block V8 and the car-like Cameo Carrier. In 1958 the line was renamed Apache and adopted the all-steel Fleetside bed. It is a full-size heritage truck rather than a compact.
- Years
- 1955-1959
- Drivetrain
- RWD · 4WD (NAPCO Powr-Pak conversion, last offered 1959)
- Engines
- 235 Thriftmaster · 261 Jobmaster · 265 Taskmaster
- Sold in
- US · Canada · Export
Spec sheet
- Production
- 1955–1959
- Assembly
- Flint, MI
- Baltimore, MD
- Janesville, WI
- Atlanta, GA (Lakewood)
- Kansas City, MO (Leeds)
- Norwood, OH
- Oakland, CA
- St. Louis, MO
- North Tarrytown, NY
- Van Nuys, CA
- Oshawa, Ontario (Canada)
- Sold in
- US
- Canada
- Export
- Codes
- 3100 / 3200 / 3600 / 3800 series
- Cameo Carrier (1955-1958)
- Apache (1958-59 light trucks)
- Body styles
- Pickup
- Cameo Carrier / Suburban Pickup
- Fleetside (1958+)
- Bed lengths
- 3104 half-ton box: 78.12 in long x 50 in wide inside (114 in WB)
- Drivetrains
- RWD
- 4WD (NAPCO Powr-Pak conversion, last offered 1959)
- Transmissions
- 3-speed manual
- 4-speed manual
- 2-speed Powerglide automatic
- 4-speed Hydra-Matic
- Trims
- Cameo Carrier (1955-58)
- Deluxe cab
- Wheelbase
- 114 / 123 / 172 in
- Length
- 185.67 in
- Width
- 76 in
- Curb weight
- 3,350 lb (3104 half-ton pickup, 1955 Second Series production weight)
- Payload
- 1,575 lb body and payload (3104 half-ton pickup at 5,000 lb maximum GVW, 1955 Second Series)
Engines
| Engine | Disp. | Config | Years | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 235 Thriftmaster | 3.9 L (235 cu in) | I6 | ||
| 261 Jobmaster | 4.3 L (261 cu in) | I6 | ||
| 265 Taskmaster | 4.3 L (265 cu in) | V8 | 1955+ | Chevrolet's small-block V8 debuted in trucks |
| 283 Taskmaster | 4.6 L (283 cu in) | V8 | ||
| 322 Loadmaster | 5.3 L (322 cu in) | V8 | medium duty | |
| 348 Loadmaster | 5.7 L (348 cu in) | V8 | medium duty |
Related
Overview
The Task Force replaced the Advance-Design in March 1955 with an all-new, taller cab, wrap-around windshield, headlights integrated into the fenders and in-cab steps in place of running boards. Chevrolet's new 265 cu in Taskmaster V8 became an option alongside the Thriftmaster and Jobmaster sixes.
The mid-1955 Cameo Carrier previewed what pickups would become: fiberglass rear fenders that continued the cab lines, two-tone paint, whitewalls, chrome and optional V8, automatic and power steering. It paved the way for the Fleetside, which became a regular all-steel option in 1958.
For 1958 all light-duty trucks were named Apache, with a four-headlight front end, flatter hood and first-ever factory air conditioning. 1959 was the final year, with minimal changes; the NAPCO 4WD conversion could last be factory ordered that year. The C/K series followed for 1960.
Note: The Task Force was a full-size truck line (Wikipedia); it is listed here as part of Chevrolet's light-truck lineage.
Trims, Bodies and Drivetrains
Trims
- Cameo Carrier (1955-58)
- Deluxe cab
Cab and bed
- Body styles: Pickup, Cameo Carrier / Suburban Pickup, Fleetside (1958+)
- Beds: 3104 half-ton box: 78.12 in long x 50 in wide inside (114 in WB)
Drivetrain and transmissions
- Drivetrains: RWD, 4WD (NAPCO Powr-Pak conversion, last offered 1959)
- 3-speed manual
- 4-speed manual
- 2-speed Powerglide automatic
- 4-speed Hydra-Matic
Highlights
- Industry's first wrap-around windshield (optional wrap-around rear window on Deluxe cab)
- Optional V8 (265 cu in) from 1955
- Cameo Carrier – fiberglass-sided "styleside" pickup
- 1958 renamed "Apache"; 4 headlights; new all-steel styleside (Fleetside) bed
- 1958: first factory-equipped air conditioning in a Chevy truck