Light Commercial Vehicles Association
Two LCVA Articles about
Advance-Design Trucks
Three sizes/styles of bodies: Thriftmaster (1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton), Loadmaster (larger than 1 ton), and COE Loadmaster. All the cabs were the same but the three styles differed from the cowl forward: hoods, fenders, grills, and bumpers.
Cab ventilation (and heating) through New Four-fold Ventilation: single-piece door side-windows, large cowl-top ventilator, foot (or hand) operated diver's side fresh-air ventilator, and a fresh air inlet on the curb (passenger) side of the cowl for the optional "fresh air" heater defroster.
216.5 cubic inch engine; low pressure inline-6 engine with 30 psi oil pressure gauge (the Stovebolt 6, the Cast-Iron Wonder, introduced in 1929).
235 cubic inch engine was available on larger trucks; this was also a low-pressure inline-6 engine with 30psi oil pressure gauge.
Cloth-braided wiring.
Grille bars and "back splash" bars were body color. In addition, the leading edge of each painted outer bar had a horizontal stripe matching the cab stripe. There was also a single stripe on the cab "belt molding".
Chrome grilles, only the outer bar was plated. The "back splash" bar was painted body color, the same as the painted grille.
Chrome bumpers, three sizes: 1/2 and 3/4 ton, 1 ton, and larger trucks.
Windlace around door opening is held in place with screw-on metal retainer.
Gas tank is mounted under the bed & fills through the hole in passenger bedside.
Bed contains 9 boards, making the bed approximately 2-3" wider than prior beds.
This is the last year that the three-speed transmission uses floor shift
Parking brake was activated by a lever next to the floor-shifter.
Windshield is 2-piece, non-movable type.
"5 Window" cab was available as an option on any cab or as part of the Deluxe Cab option (additional two rear-corner windows)
Headliner center bow is screwed to roof of cab.
One piece door glass - no vent windows in door.
Die-cast single-piece metal hood emblem.
Hood side emblem says CHEVROLET and either THRIFTMASTER or LOADMASTER, depending on the size of the truck.
Chevrolet name is stamped into the tailgate (painted the same color as the exterior color).
Shock absorbers are lever-action type.
Huck type brakes were used.
Gas tank is mounted under the bed & fills through the hole in passenger bed side.
Vacuum wiper is under the dash (in prior years, it was above the windshield).
Standard took kit included an envelope type tool bag of durable duck containing a set of three open-end wrenches, a spark plug wrench, a 6 round shank screw driver, a 6 pair of pliers, and a 10 oz ball peen hammer. All of these were rust protected by plating except for the hammer which was painted. A wheel wrench, also painted, was provided, along with a jack of suitable capacity for the size of truck.
Exterior Colors (Dupont Dulux synthetic enamel): (new colors in 1947) Cape Maroon, Mariner Blue, Windsor Blue, Forester Green (standard color), Seacrest Green, Savoy Cream, and Sun Beige; and, (1946 colors) Omaha Orange, Amour Yellow, Swift Red, Jet Black and White. Carryall Suburban standard exterior color continued was a two-tone of Fathom Green and Channel Green (upper and lower colors)
VID codes started with: EP on 1/2 ton, ER on 3/4 ton, ES on 1 ton, etc..
Resources
Jim Carter Antique Truck Parts
Light Commercial Vehicle Association - January/February, 1984