1957 Chevrolet Other Pickups

3200 Pickup Pickup truck

8 - Cyl.

Manual

3B57J115208

Clear

Gasoline

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE 1957 Chevy 3200 Stepside Long Bed ½ Ton Truck (Someone’s Camper Special) I wish I knew more about this truck as the more I research it the more unusual it might be. The long bed step side truck was purchased in lien sale and the original owner has long passed away. I have all the California sales and non-operation paperwork. I do not have the original pink slip which was lost in storage but getting another is not a problem since it was officially Non-Operational since 12/21/02 with the California DMV and all the necessary lien sale paperwork and history is in my possession. It still has the original black and yellow California license plates front and back and the frame on the front plate is from a Sand Diego Chevrolet dealership named Courtesy Chevrolet that has been in San Diego for a long time. The shell is quite old and was also built in San Diego County (Kaiser Kamper, National City). It may have come that way from the dealership but it is hard to confirm this. If I was in a position to be able to restore this vehicle, I would restore everything just as it is. This truck has amazing character and everywhere I go people want to talk about its presentation and the way it is set up. It is like a moment stopped in time and could have been used on the Andy Griffith Show. Besides the vintage shell, there are gun racks in the rear window, boat rack, fishing pole holders in the shell, and twin gas tanks (the original one behind the seat and another 20-25 gallons gallon gas tank is hidden in the bed under the shell with an external gas filler neck extension.) The bed was covered in diamond plate steel probably when the shell was installed. The bed wood planks and rails are still installed and appear to have been protected all this time by the diamond plate. What I do know that is not original are the tail lights, the vintage Steward Warner vacuum and temp gauges (both running), the early Sun tachometer & transmitter sending unit (not operating; probably a bad connection). The unknowns include the BorgWarner T-10 three speed manual transmission that was factory installed with the three on the tree. The castings on the transmission are T89B-1C (WG DIV.) and T89B-148 Q3 (WG DIV.) The vin 3B57J115208 indicates (3B-3200 series, 1957,J=Janesville WI assembly plant and that the truck was number 115,208 in a total production year of 351,739 recorded builds. The engine block stamping is F0205D and the casting number on the block ends in 48 (difficult to read using a mirror and flashlight) which indicates 1957 283 cu inch block. I researched these stamping numbers and that this engine block appears to be a genuine 1956 265CI V-8 as the D Prefix is associated with a 3400-3500-3700 series 265 Trademaster V-8. I believe that this was an early 1957 truck which utilized the 1956 engine (this happen from time to time) or this was a special order truck that was a ½ ton ordered with the three on the tree. The odometer currently is 58,608 but I can’t tell if that is 158,00 or 58,000 original miles. The engine has a lot of go, purrs like a kitten and runs so steady and snappy that it was either rebuilt or it really does have 58,000 original miles. Carter 4 barrel carb sits on top and the air filter enclosure may be original as well. The engine is running perfect on vacuum and 50 lbs of oil pressure. It runs like a kitten and doesn’t shake at all. I have video that I can send of it running. It has a push button starter that works in conjunction with the key ignition (not sure if this is a retrofit). There is also a secret switch. The paint on this truck is not original and the tag says 769 color and std trim. The body is very straight and may not have any bondo or fillers. It has been repainted before as the fire engine red on the tail gate does not match the orange red that still has the masking marks in a few locations. The rust spots are typical of this year and model of truck (The front bed panel, the hood, the door and fender lower front surfaces have some rust but are repairable). An aftermarket front bed panel is offered for less than $100 at http://www.classicparts.com/1954-59-Front-Bed-Panel/productinfo/09-010/ The hard top has some rust but it is still solid metal and just needs clean up. The driver’s side gutter needs some repair. The floor boards are solid and just need a good sandblasting. The grill, front bumper, early dock bumper and front and side badges are in amazing condition. The chassis is solid and covered in grease. The rear end is quiet and complete but I don’t know the gearing. The front windshield and rear window glass has no cracks with some discoloration on the bottom. All the windows are intact and operate as they should. The original tail gate, spare wheel, hub caps, AM radio, steering wheel and working horns, turn signal, generator (showing charge while running), the original design radiator is really clean inside and original fan and shroud keeps the engine running at a constant 150 degrees. The original AM radio, heater controls, control panel are all there. I have the original keys as well. The battery box is solid and includes the pull down hooks….the original top bracket is missing. The clutch is amazingly smooth and firm and she shifts quite easy although the reverse on the tree could use shimming as I need to raise the rod manually to put in reverse. The hub caps, rims and spare tire are all original. The tires are dry and the heater core is weeping so it must be towed to it new home. It can be driven short distances for a trial drive. The drips underneath the vehicle in some photos is water from washing; not oil or coolant. The truck needs a good home and owner who wants to restore her to “Field and Stream” past. I have lots of photos so if you want to see more please send me your e-mail. I can also be reached at my telephone number 619-743-8780. Happy Bidding! Al TERMS OF SALE: Sorry no buy it now price. I’m requiring payment in cash, bank check or money orders to avoid paypal’s outrageous transfer fees. If you must pay using paypal please be prepared to pay their transfer fees in addition to the winning bid price (consider it as if taking a loan and the bank is charging you for the loan). Payment must be received within 5 calendar days of the winning bid. Seller needs to pay all transfer, registration and transportation and shipping fees. I’m not giving estimates to ship her around the world. The truck is located at zip code is 91945, Lemon Grove, California but I live in La Mesa 91941. This baby needs a good home and an owner who wants to restore her to “Field and Stream” past. I have lots of photos so if you want to see more please send me your e-mail. I can also be reached at my telephone number or text 619-743-8780. Happy Bidding! Al On Aug-06-11 at 20:13:57 PDT, seller added the following information: The hub caps have been confirmed to be from the 64-66 GMC 1/2 ton truck. Just an FYI.