Hydra-Matic Transmission: 1956 Chevrolet 3800 Series
Chevrolet’s trucks were all-new for 1955, dubbed the Task-Force Series. Built through 1959, they replaced the Advanced Design Series and featured things like a wraparound windshield, a first for the truck industry. Built on the Stake portion of the GM A-body platform, the seller’s truck is said to be complete with a Hydra-Matic transmission and includes a lot of new and rebuilt parts. It may not take a lot to put the ole girl back into service. A barn find from Crystal Lake, Illinois, this Chevy is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $10,999.
The 3800 trucks had a one-ton nominal rating capacity, so these vehicles were made to carry heavier loads. They came with a 12-volt electrical system and could be had with a V8 engine, although the seller’s truck has either the Thriftmaster inline-6 (235 cubic inches) or the Jobmaster (also a “6” at 261 cubic inches), paired with a 3 or 4-speed automatic (Hydra-Matic). Power steering and power brakes became available for the first time on GM trucks, although it does not appear this truck has either of them.
This vehicle looks to be remarkably rust-free, especially if it has spent a lot of time outdoors. The floorboards in the passenger cabin look brand-new and the wooden boards in the bed have been replaced. The bench seat has been reupholstered so it should provide for a comfortable ride. We’re told a lot of new parts come with the truck, some installed and some still in boxes.
The wiring may be the hold-up in getting this truck on the road again. It has been removed and labeled, but the seller says it’s too crusty to put back in. So perhaps a new wiring harness will need to be sourced by the buyer. The paint doesn’t look bad and should suffice at least for the near term. The mileage is said to be just 23,000, but perhaps the odometer has turned over or the truck just never saw a lot of use from new.
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Comments
Though I knew this gen of GMC trucks could be ordered with the Hydramatic I never had any idea Chevs could – are we talking the same 4spd Hydramatic that came in same year Olds/Cad/Pontiac? They would need to have come up with some clever solution to mate the BOP bellhousing to the 235/261 as those are indeed Chev engines.
Too bad it’s a bit on the ‘light’ side as I could easily imagine this one to make sweet car hauler material
I always knew that the heavier Chevy trucks could have a Hydramatic transmission instead of that Powerglide but this is the first time I’ve seen one. A good transmission that weighs almost as much as the engine. And, I might add, that will take just about everything that six cylinder engine has just to keep it turning. Always keep a drip tray underneath. Hydramatics are notorious for the ATF to seep out of the torque converter and back into the sump where the level eventually reaches the breather and runs out onto the floor. Daily use or at least starting them up every three weeks tends to keep the fluid where it belongs…
Actually, I remember quite a few mid to late 50’s GM trucks that had the Hydramatic. The 2 speed Powerglide was mostly for cars, as the 4 speed Hydramatic was more suited to truck duty. I remember always being surprised, looking in an older GM truck, even mid size, and not seeing a clutch pedal. Not sure how they stacked up agin the old 4 speed manual boxes, but they must have worked.
Geo; I have much respect for your extensive knowledge and I always appreciate your polite way of posting on BF however I must arrest you here on the torque converter detail – the Hydramatic doesn’t really have any torque converter as we know them today, it’s based on the old concept of a fluid coupling. While the torque converter will multiply the torque produced by the engine the fluid coupling will only transfer torque – almost like a fluid clutch. I don’t doubt Hydramatics can tend to leak though…
Since I knew zip about Hydramatics in Chev trucks I had to expand my horizon – and ended up finding an outmost interesting article on the Twin-Hydramatic intended for heavy trucks. Essentially the internals of two Hydramatics in one case backed by a 3spd reduction gear box to produce in total 21(13 useful) gears. As if the original Hydramatic wasn’t complex enough…
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/automotive-histories/transmission-history-gms-8-speed-hydra-matic-and-21-speed-twin-hydra-matic-for-big-trucks-complex-dead-end/
Yes, local_sheriff, you are absolutely right. Some of us get so used to calling them torque converters that they all get the same name, even when they are a fluid coupling. Thanks for pointing that one out…
The going prices for Tri-Five GM trucks blows my mind! Not many years ago these flat beds were dirt cheap… not now by a long shot. (That’s why I drive a Studebaker truck) This one looks pretty solid, so good luck to the seller.
My daddy had a ’62 C50 w/ the 261 straight six and the 4 speed manual. It was a good hauler.
This truck makes me want it, but truth is I have no use for it and no place to keep it.
I’m a sucker for these old trucks, but my days for this type of thing have come and gone. Best wishes for everyone.
It’s a great find, I think we can rule out it being 23K, but doesn’t matter, a lot of the hard work is done. A shame someone can’t finish it. Might be a bit out of place on today’s roads. I’m sure it could muster “double nickel” if need be.
The small town our lake cottage was in, Hustisford, Wis. population 718,,,SALUTE,,, The volunteer fire dept. had a white in color, fire engine just like this. The whole time I was growing up, that was my 2nd home, and we always walked past the fire station, and that ’56 Chevy fire engine sat in a stall all those years. One day, it was outside, and I got to see it close up. It had like 3,000 miles, and was like brand new. I always wondered what happened to that truck.