1953 Chevy Truck Specs
by Dan Boone
The 1953 Chevrolet trucks were one of the first line of pickups designed for more than just labor uses. Introduced as a work truck with features similar to a car's, it provided pickups with a new image. Changes in convenience, appearance and engine performance helped create a different perception about owning and driving trucks.
Engine
Advanced Design was the term used to describe the 90-horsepower, 216.5-cubic-inch, Thriftmaster, overhead-valve (OHV), six-cylinder engine in the 1953 Chevy truck. This was the final year for the 216-cubic-inch, Babbit bearing type engine. A three-speed transmission came standard, and a four-speed transmission was available in the one-ton pickup that year.
Appearance
The 1953 Chevrolet trucks offered a change in appearance from previous work trucks. Push button door handles replaced turning handles, and a wheel was mounted by the driver-side door. The hood emblems were redesigned, the door post identification was blue and silver, and the CHEVROLET emblem was no longer displayed prominently. The 1953 model year marked the final year wood blocks rested under the truck's bed.
Convenience
Comfort amenities were added. Adjustable seats slid to and from the dashboard for more leg room and to allow the driver to be closer to the gas pedal. Door locks were available for the first time, and a larger steering wheel influenced maneuverability. Controls, such as a foot lever air vent, became easier to manipulate. The windows also changed, and the driver had an increased range of sight.
References
Writer Bio
Dan Boone has been writing since 1999. His work has appeared on CaribbeanChannel.com and he wrote for the "Virgin Voice" magazine and its website, Virgin Voices. Boone has a Bachelor of Arts in composition and arranging from Berklee College of Music in Boston. He also holds a certificate in digital-sound engineering from the Trebas Institute in Montreal.
