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, MIBaltimore, MDJanesville, WIAtlanta, GA (Lakewood)Kansas City, MO (Leeds)Norwood, OHOakland, CASt. Louis, MONorth Tarrytown, NYVan Nuys, CAOshawa, Ontario (Canada)
- Sold in
- USCanadaExport
- Codes
- 3100 / 3200 / 3600 / 3800 seriesCameo Carrier (1955-1958)Apache (1958-59 light trucks)
- Body styles
- PickupCameo Carrier / Suburban PickupFleetside (1958+)
- Bed lengths
- 3104 half-ton box: 78.12 in long x 50 in wide inside (114 in WB)
- Drivetrains
- RWD4WD (NAPCO Powr-Pak conversion, last offered 1959)
- Transmissions
- 3-speed manual4-speed manual2-speed Powerglide automatic4-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
- Displacement
- 3.9 L (235 cu in)
- Config
- I6
- Displacement
- 4.3 L (261 cu in)
- Config
- I6
- Displacement
- 4.3 L (265 cu in)
- Config
- V8
- Years
- 1955+
- Notes
- Chevrolet's small-block V8 debuted in trucks
- Displacement
- 4.6 L (283 cu in)
- Config
- V8
- Displacement
- 5.3 L (322 cu in)
- Config
- V8
- Notes
- medium duty
- Displacement
- 5.7 L (348 cu in)
- Config
- V8
- Notes
- medium duty
Highlights
- 01
- Industry's first wrap-around windshield (optional wrap-around rear window on Deluxe cab)
- 02
- Optional V8 (265 cu in) from 1955
- 03
- Cameo Carrier – fiberglass-sided "styleside" pickup
- 04
- 1958 renamed "Apache"; 4 headlights; new all-steel styleside (Fleetside) bed
- 05
- 1958: first factory-equipped air conditioning in a Chevy truck
Photos
Chevy Task Force Series 1955-1959
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.