1957 Chevrolet 3100 Cameo

Description

This 1957 Chevrolet Cameo 3124 is not only a looker of the first degree, but it's also a proud member of a very pivotal class of vintage trucks. Coming along at a time when pickups were all about bare bones ruggedness and no-frills demeanors, the Cameo offered a styling sensibility that was previously reserved for passenger cars. Purchased new by NHRA Hall of Famer Lance Hunt, this lifelong Texas truck has since been comprehensively restored and treated to some choice upgrades, resulting in one of the coolest trucks we've ever featured here at Streetside Classics.

The well-ornamented exteriors of the 'Task Force Series' trucks provides the first clue that Chevy had more than just reliable and functional transportation in mind when the Cameo was introduced to succeed the 'Advanced Design' pickup line in 1955. Shortening the design gap between car and truck (a line of thinking that later paved the way for the El Camino), this 3124 offers an abundance of period-correct style for a '50s era truck that blends in well with just the right amount of ruggedness. Take a look up front, where the smile-like visage of the wideset headlights and intricate 1957 grille sit over a sturdy front bumper and set the iconic tone, aided further by the badges on the fenders and 'spears' on the hood. Step around to the side and you'll see that the doors themselves carry their own badging - a rare styling cue - and the sides of the bed are decked out with broad, detailed trim with beautiful chrome accents. The white-and-red color scheme this beauty wears harkens back to the '55 model (it was the only color combo you could get in the 1st year Cameo) offering a killer shine and deep luster with very few flaws and blemishes visible. Owing to its manufacturer's quest to equip it with as much car-like style as possible, there's also an impressive collection of chrome on display, and the brightwork and bumpers both fore and aft are in excellent condition. A large part of the Cameo's unique look was achieved by adding fiberglass panels to the Chevy's existing steel cargo-box, resulting in the incredibly stylish bed and tailgate you see before you. And inside that cool Art Deco bed is a finished wood floor that's nice enough to have a dance party on, protected by a custom hard tonneau cover that lifts via gas struts.

The beautifully restored red and white interior further shows that designers were trying to bring several automotive details over to the truck lineup. The patterned upholstery has a very 1950s look to it and shows minimal wear since the restoration was finished. Dark red, large loop carpets are in great shape and help insulate the cabin, and the headliner and the two-tone door panels soften things a bit. The instrument panel should look familiar to Chevy fans, with a V-shaped speedometer that is remarkably similar to the gauge panel found in the '57 Bel Air, beautifully integrated into the two-tone dash, just ahead of the leather-rimmed 3-spoke steering wheel that feels great in the driver's hands. Any options in a truck this pretty are just icing on the cake, but in this case comfort and entertainment are accounted for, with R134a A/C and a retro-style AM/FM radio, respectively. Detroit's Golden Era is definitely represented inside this comfortable cab, so much so that you'll have to be pried out of the seats when it's time to put this Cameo back in the garage.