1957 Chevy Task Force Pick Up Truck, Fame Off Restoration, 350 Crate Motor

1957 Chevrolet Other Pickups Description

This head-turning driver is super clean, rock solid, and ready for a new home.

A Breakthrough Truck

The Chevrolet Task Force was Chevrolet's successor to the Advance Design trucks. The Task Force Series ran from late 1955 (second series) through 1959. At GMC locations, it was called the Blue Chip Series. Many folks think it’s one of the best proportioned, best looking trucks of the era.

Chevy famously decided to drive seven pre-production Task Force trucks from Michigan to Fairbanks and back, a roundtrip of 10,000 miles. No mean feat given the roads and technology of the time.

And here’s your chance to own a direct descendent of one of those “Alcan proved” trucks.

Every truck has a story . . . here’s what I can tell you about this one.

I bought it three years ago from a guy down in Oregon who restored cars as a serious hobby. He had two sixtyfoot long buildings full of mouth-watering gear. He had done a frame-off restoration of this beauty about five years before I met him andbasically let it sit, taking it out for the occasional parade.
The restoration was done to a high standard with one notable miss which I'll get to. The five years of sitting meant I wound up putting a chunk of change into it to get it right.
I can't say for sure the mileage on the build. The guy I bought it from said he had 500 miles and I have put a around 1500 miles on it.
Exterior
Paint is Cascade Green with white accents (Toyota color code). Note, original trim, badges and mirrors were deleted during therestoration. The panels are straight, nobondo that I can find, and the panel fit is what youwould expect for a truck of this vintage.You'll note some small chips in a fewlocations which marks this truck as what it is, a head-turning driver. Nothing anyone will notice unless you point it to them.
The truck rides on a set of late modelrallye wheels at a standard ride height. Headlights are halogen. Windows have a nice light tint.
The bed is done in light oak with stainless trim. For some reason gawkers are especially impressed with this detail.
Interior
Interior is stock with a couple of notable exceptions. The first is the very nicely done bench seatupholstery withembroidered "Heartbeat". Love it or hate it . . . everyone who checks out the truck loves it. The second is the instrument binnacle. I put that in and I like it.You may not in which case you can reinstall the stock instrumentation which I have. The third is the steeringwheel and Ididit column. Note there is no heater or radio installed.
Underneath
The truck came to me with the frame painted, fresh drum brakes, fresh shocks, a 350 crate motor and a TH350 transmission.
Here's where the "sitting for five years" came in. Since owning it, I have done the following . . .

• New gas tank, fuel pump, fuel filter and Carter (Edlebrock) 650 carb to deal with the varnishing that hadoccurred.
• New MSD distributor,spark plugs, wires and looming
• New harmonic balancer
• New drive shaft
• New rear springs (with shims to properly cant the differential)

The part Isimply can't figure out or explain is the crummy metal work up under the passenger side fender. It looks to me like someone got tired fixing metal and decided to paint over it. There's no rust there. Just an ugly blemish on what is otherwise a super nice truck.
The answer to the question is . . . I have too many cars, projects, things to do. So rather than let this sit I'm selling it hoping it finds someone who appreciates this great little truck and wants it in their garage.
I have about $25,000 in it.This truck truly does turn heads wheneverI drive it and generates more smiles per mile thananything I've owned. I have set a very friendlyreserve. Comes with cover, original instrument panel, some randomtrim andspare parts.