Chevrolet » Series 3000 / 4000 / 6000 '54

New nomenclature included the year designation 54 following the prefix letter, the addition of a new and rather unique grille to the otherwise unchanged sheetmetal, and some additional engine options, all based on the standard 6-cylinder block. New one-piece curved windshield gives increased visibility. The trucks also got new, more convenient instrument panel. New parking lights are positioned to indicate the full width of the truck. Buyers of trucks up through the 1.5-ton Series 4500 had a choice of the Thriftmaster or the Loadmaster engines. The Thriftmaster developed 112 horsepower at 3700 RPM, and the Loadmaster, used as an option on the Series 4100, 4400 and 4500, developed the same characteristics. The other option was the Jobmaster engine, which had 261 cubic inches and produced 135 horsepower at 4000 RPM. The '54 model year trucks received bigger bodies - new pickup bodies have deeper sides, and new stake bodies are wider and longer. And they're set lower to the ground for faster, easier loading and unloading. Bigger, more durable clutches, stronger frames on all models and heavier axle shafts on 2-ton trucks. The proved automatic Hydra-Matic transmission was offered not only on 1/2 and 3/4-ton trucks, but on 1-ton models, too.