1953 Chevrolet 3800 Humpback

One of Six Made - 22,334 Actual Miles - All Ownership History - 216.5ci/92hp Inline 6 Cylinder - Fully Restored - Featured in Vintage Truck Magazine, August 2020 - Super Rare and Super Cool

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this vehicle on a website other than our main website, it's possible that only some of our many photographs of this car are presented due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the photographs, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

Chevrolet's Advance Design Trucks offered a new curvy design and a wide range of options from the familiar 3100 Series to Cab Over Trucks and School Buses. This truck was obviously built for the purpose of hauling, although the actual history of this vintage Chevrolet has a few small spots that are unclear. The “Humpback” as it sits today is a very nice vehicle that holds a lot of history. Being only one of six known to have been built with the “Humpback” modification, this is a rare vehicle which is something that vintage truck, vintage Chevrolet, and automotive history buffs will find extremely interesting.

The photos don't really show this vehicle's massive size. We all know the size of an early-50's Chevrolet 3100 pickup, but this 3800 is much bigger. Add the “Humpback” conversion to the usual 3800 offering and the height of the truck is dramatically higher. A look at the wheelbase, and the cargo area helps give the size away. One thing that is unclear is whether or not the “Humpback” conversion was completed at GM's Baltimore, Maryland assembly plant when the truck was built. Our client was able to trace back a considerable amount of history about the truck, what it was used for, and past owners. In 1953 Keithan Bakery and Confectionary, a supplier of baked goods, penny candies, cigarettes, and cigars was the first owner of this unique “Humpback”. The next two owners between the years of 1960 to 1970 were Sunbury Hose Company, and Sunbury Steam Fire Engine Company. The next 3 owners were a route salesman, a gentleman who traded the truck for a Porsche 924, and a Porsche enthusiast who thought he may use the “Humpback” as a pit truck for his racing team.

Back to the truck itself, it is finished in Juniper Green and Bombay Ivory which is a 1955 GM color. The color combination looks great and the body condition is very good. Our client believes that the truck has been painted 3 times, and he notes that the rear fenders were replaced at some point. The standard 3800 truck's sign panel area sits slightly higher on the truck thanks to the molding for the Humpback conversion. Other notable features of the exterior are Juniper Green painted bumpers and grille, a sun visor over the windshield, running boards, outward opening rear doors, and small rear windows.

The dashboard should look familiar to those who have taken a good look at the smaller and more mainstream 3100 pickups. The dashboard has been painted the same Juniper Green as seen on the exterior and features a pair of gauges which are centered in front of the driver. Brown seats at the front of the vehicle have been reupholstered, along with the door panels which match the seats. The cargo area is pretty spartan and features the original wood floor which was refinished with a number of coats of Linseed oil. The metal skid strips were refinished in Juniper Green. The difference in the factory height of the truck compared to Humpback conversion can easily be seen in our photos.

A “Thriftmaster” Inline-6 engine mated to a 4 speed manual powers this big vehicle. The engine bay is tidy as well as the underside. A small amount of overspray on the frame is visible on the otherwise very clean underbody. Solid floor panels, frame, running board supports, and a full size spare tire are other highlights of the underside.

This big truck is a piece of history, and a rare one at that. A Chevrolet Advance Design truck with a rare “Humpback” conversion that is fully restored and is in fully restored condition is not something that you see everyday. Those who have an interest in vintage trucks, vintage Chevrolets, and even automotive history buffs will find this Humpback extremely interesting. There's a mystery of whether or not the Humpback was built at the Chevrolet plant, but if you play your cards right, the only mystery you will have to find an answer to is whether or not this classic truck will fit in your garage. Be sure to check out all the photos and video on our main website: Garage Kept Motors. Call if interested or e-mail with any questions. Thank you for looking.



VIN Decode:
L - Series: 3800
53 - Year: 1953
B - Assembly Plant: Baltimore, Maryland
003752 - Production Number