1949 Chevy/GMC Pickup Truck

Chevrolet Advance Design

General Motors’ first major redesign post-World War II, the Advance Design series was billed as a bigger, stronger, and sleeker design. First available on Saturday June 28, 1947, these trucks were sold with various minor changes over the years until March 25, 1955, when the Task Force Series trucks replaced the aging Advance Design model.

From 1947 until 1955, Chevrolet trucks were number one in sales in the United States.

While GMC used this front end, and to a slightly lesser extent the cab, on all of its trucks except for the Cab Overs, there are three main sizes of this truck: the half-, three-quarter-, and full ton capacities in short and long wheelbase.

1949 Chevy Pickup Differences

Early 1949 – Gasoline tank now mounted upright behind seat in cab; filler neck aft of passenger door handle.

New serial number codes: GP ½ ton, GR ¾ ton, & GS 1 ton.

Late 1949 – Hood side emblems no longer read “Thriftmaster” or “Loadmaster”, but are now numbers that designate cargo capacity: 3100 on ½ ton, 3600 on ¾ ton, 3800 on 1 ton.

Serial number codes remain the same as on early 1949.

1949 Chevy Pickup Photos