My Cameo

[ToonMan]

My Cameo has been put away for quite a while. I have been mostly working on my 56 wagon. last week I was in the Hospital for 4 days. While there, i had a lot of time to think. I realized I had no photos of the Cameo and Wagon together!!! So for fathers day, I got the Cameo out, Washed it, and got my photos.
Enjoy!!!

[Kim57]

A couple of nice vehicles.
Kim

[_Ogre]

nice pair, toonman

[Scottshotrods]

Cameo is Bad ass looking truck

Justin

[dubie]

damn fine Cameo. I hope everything's cool with your health too bud.

[ToonMan]

A little History on the Cameo

1982
After Selling my first truck, a Merc Flathead powered 50 Ford pickup I set out to find my dream truck. After a slight leaning towards buying a late 60's El Camino, I came back to wanting an old Chevy Truck. In October of '82, I fell into one. After driving my sister's friend home, I spotted a truck coming at me and thought it was a friend. As the truck drove by, I noticed it was a rare Cameo! I whipped my parents '62 Nova into a u turn and chased the Cameo to its home. I had no idea this U turn would change my life.

I talked with the '55's owner, who is now a great friend, for some time. Finally, I mentioned that he was looking for a 56, the man said "Really, I have one for sale, but it is a Cameo. Is that OK?" OK!? You Bet! I raced home and ran in the house to tell my Dad that I had found a Cameo for sale. This was something dear to his heart. My Dad, Pete, had found a Cameo box in a wrecking yard years before. (Imagine that!!) Pete wanted to put it on his '56, but my Mom wouldn't agree to it, stating that there is no more hauling space. Subsequently, he didn't get it. So hearing this news was as exciting to Dad as it was to me! The next day, we jumped in Dad's '62 Chevy Pickup and went to look at the Cameo. What we saw when we arrived was a giant model kit, with no instructions, the truck was totally disassembled!! After a closer look, I realized there were actually 2 trucks! A '55 and a '56, both Cameo's! I bought it all anyway and hauled the whole mess home in 7 truckloads!

I spent the next 5 years putting one truck together out of all of the parts. Some changes made to the Cameo included a lowered suspension, a 325 hp 350/ TH 350, Turquoise and Black paint scheme, & velvet interior.

I had the Cameo completed in time for the '87 Portland Roadster Show where the truck took home a 2nd place trophy. Later that year, the Cameo performed its greatest task, to drive my wife Angie and I away from our wedding.

Now 30 years later, I still have the truck. The engine is currently out and it is going through a few changes, but it is still here!!

[Kim57]

Nice story.
Kim

[ToonMan]

thanks Kim
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[OrrieG]

I love to hear about guys that have owned their trucks for 30+ years. I got mine in 1976 as third owner.

[ToonMan]

Nice!!!!!
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[Sillyoldman]

Nice Cameo T-Man. Not many of them around. My buddy has one.

[ToonMan]

Thanks!!
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[dicer]

Everybody can have a cameo. Carter truck has everything to make one.

[Denee007]

Wow! nice!
So, what was the idea of the Cameo? was it supposed to be a luxury truck? not so much a farm truck? Just curious~
dne'

[Daze57]

tooman

have had my 57 for over 20 years - with no plans to sell it - am 3rd owner -
i never get tired of it .

you cameo is really nice and i love the paint scheme

[ToonMan]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Wow! nice!
So, what was the idea of the Cameo? was it supposed to be a luxury truck? not so much a farm truck? Just curious~
dne'

yes Chevrolet was trying to make more of a fancy luxury style truck. the original idea was to make it all one piece like the El Camino, but that didn't work because the frame was too rigid so they ended up separating the box and the cab and making fiberglass fenders that fit around the corners of the cab giving the appearance of a one-piece truck. all the fiberglass cameo parts were made by the same company that made the fiberglass parts for the Corvette.

they were only made for 4 years 55 56 57 and 58. the 58's were made out of leftover 57 boxes so when they ran out of parts to make a cameo box the camera was no longer available as it was replaced by the Fleetside.
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[Denee007]

Thank you! dne'

Originally Posted by ToonMan

yes Chevrolet was trying to make more of a fancy luxury style truck. the original idea was to make it all one piece like the El Camino, but that didn't work because the frame was too rigid so they ended up separating the box and the cab and making fiberglass fenders that fit around the corners of the cab giving the appearance of a one-piece truck. all the fiberglass cameo parts were made by the same company that made the fiberglass parts for the Corvette.

they were only made for 4 years 55 56 57 and 58. the 58's were made out of leftover 57 boxes so when they ran out of parts to make a cameo box the camera was no longer available as it was replaced by the Fleetside.
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[ToonMan]

not a problem
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[ToonMan]

History of the Chevy Cameo Truck

By the year 1955, Chevrolet was well in the race of pickup truck designs. Their pickup models had beautiful sculpted fender and door panels. The hood that year was lower and flatter than previous models, and the stylish grille was shaped like an egg crate.

Chevrolet truck models for that year also featured a wraparound windshield, giving the driver a broad view all around. Truck fans loved these models because they were both practical and stylish.

Trend continues with the Cameo: A touch of luxury

The 1955 Chevrolet Cameo set a new level of glamour with the new 3124 Cameo Carrier pickup truck. The Cameo was designed to attract attention, but it was more than just beautiful: it was practical.

The Chevrolet Cameo Carrier pickup and its cousin, the GMC Suburban Carrier were built from 1955 to 1958. The total number of Cameo trucks produced was approximately 10,000 units, with 5,200 units produced for 1955.

Chevrolet set their sights to redesign the 1955 Chevrolet truck line beginning in the early 1950s. The idea was to create a truck that looked good, but also to make sure the public knew it was still a rugged work truck. All 1955 Cameos were Bombay Ivory (white) with a Commercial Red stripe. The unique styling came from flat fiberglass panels; this sleek look is still a pattern for todays pickups. This design was new to the truck era. Most trucks then had exposed rounded rear fenders, as you would see on step-side or flare-side trucks today. The Cameo had a sculpted fender and a front end that was similar to the Chevy cars built at that time.

The vision and the obstacles

Chuck Jordan is responsible for the smooth-sided truck design of the Cameo. He was fresh out of college when he came on board with General Motors in 1949. Jordan was fascinated with trucks and his creativity was poured into truck design. He was always looking for a way to leave a bold impact on the truck industry. Jordan designed vehicles he thought would be at the front of competition and have striking eye appeal. Yet he had to keep in mind that most trucks would still be used solely as utility vehicles. Though the truck wasn't successful, it magnified the importance of style in the truck industry, a concept still crucial to truck manufacturing and sales today.

The Cameo was a success for its style, but failed in sales and production. The truck just could not compete in an era where cars were at the top of the market. Consumers bought trucks for their utility and not for appearance. Another factor that hurt sales was the price tag on the Cameo. The Cameos base price was $2,150.00, when other trucks in the industry were priced at approximately $1,670.00. Most truck buyers weren't willing to pay the price difference.

The cab and front sheet metal of the 3124 Cameo Carrier model pickup was the same as other 1955 models. The Cameo trucks were manufactured with large rear fender sides that were mounted to a steel cargo box. This gave the impression that the cargo box was as wide as the cab. A spare tire compartment was hidden in the middle of the rear bumper. The Cameo also sported a fiberglass panel that covered the tailgate. The tailgate featured retractable cables and the inside mounted latches. It had the same mechanical specification and GVW (5,000 lbs.) as other half-ton trucks, maintaining the toughness, utility, and practicality of all Chevy trucks.

In 1956, the Cameo design remained mostly the same except for some minor changes in trim. The average base price was $2,150, and production numbers dropped to 1,452.

The 1957 Cameo was similar to the previous year as well but had a new grille sitting in an open mouth that was turned upward. Some of the trim was brighter as well. Around 2,244 models were produced that year, up from the previous year.

For 1958, all pickup models received an enlarged grille in the front with quad headlights. The Cameo, though not a big seller, did provide many great design ideas at Chevrolet. Early that year, the Cameo was replaced by the Fleetside. Sales picked up dramatically. The Fleetside models featured contoured side panels made of steel and a larger bed than the Cameo and other pickup models. The Chevy Cameo is rare and unique. Because there were so few produced very few remain today. Hot rodders and classic car collectors consider Cameo trucks to be a true treasure.


(From Rods & Wheels E-Zine)

Originally Posted by Denee007

Wow! nice!
So, what was the idea of the Cameo? was it supposed to be a luxury truck? not so much a farm truck? Just curious~
dne'

[Denee007]

Thank you Rob for that information! I really knew nothing about the design!

dne'

[ToonMan]

Not a problem. When I first bouth this truck in '82, I researched the history as much as I could. I was in High School and found this to be better Homework!!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!!!!

Originally Posted by Denee007

Thank you Rob for that information! I really knew nothing about the design!

dne'

[Coupeguy2001]

bought mine in '73 for $150 wrecked, and still have it.