The Blue Chip was GMC’s name for the light and medium trucks that General Motors introduced in 1955, the first major redesign of the range since 1947. At Chevrolet the same trucks were called the Task Force, and both were sold alongside the older design during the second half of the 1955 model year.
GMC Blue Chip at a glance
| Also known as | Chevrolet Task Force |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 25 March 1955, as the 1955 second series |
| Model years | 1955-1957 under the Task Force name, then renamed for 1958 |
| Bodies | 3100 short bed, 3200 long bed, 3600 medium duty at Chevrolet |
| Bed lengths | 6.5 ft, 7.5 ft, and a 7 ft mid-length bed for 1955 only |
| Grille, 1955-1956 | egg-crate design |
| Grille, 1957 | more open, with two hood spears |
| GMC engines | GMC straight-sixes, Pontiac V8s, Oldsmobile V8s in heavy-duty trucks |
| Standard gearbox | three-speed manual on the column |
| Optional | four-speed floor shift or Hydramatic automatic |
| Electrical system | 12 volts, except the GMC six in 1955 |
| New for the class | factory power steering, power brakes and V8 engines |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Chevrolet Task Force, which covers the same trucks GMC sold as the Blue Chip.
History of the GMC Blue Chip
A new body for 1955
GM redesigned its truck line for the second half of 1955 but sold both designs that year: the previous model became the 1955 first series and the new one the second series. Chevrolet and GMC named their new ranges independently, and the GMC name was Blue Chip. The new body brought the truck industry’s first wraparound windscreen, an optional wraparound rear window on Deluxe cab models, headlights integrated into the fenders and in-cab steps in place of running boards. A step between the cab and the rear fender made it easier to reach items in the pickup bed.
Running gear
The two makes were separated by their running gear and interiors. Chevrolet used Chevrolet engines, while GMC used GMC straight-sixes, Pontiac V8s and, in heavy-duty trucks, Oldsmobile V8s. For the first time in GM history trucks could be ordered with power steering, power brakes and V8 engines. A column-shifted three-speed manual was standard, with an optional floor-shift four-speed manual or a Hydramatic automatic, and the electrical system was upgraded from six to twelve volts. The GMC straight-six kept its six-volt system for 1955 only.
Year-by-year changes
The 1955 and 1956 trucks had the egg-crate grille. In 1955 the emblems sat below the lateral line of the front fender; for 1956 the fender emblem moved above the line, the hood emblem sat a little higher and the hood emblem was wider. The 1957 model was the only one with a more open grille, and its flatter hood carried two spears resembling those of the 1957 Bel Air, with oval fender emblems. Beds were 6.5 or 7.5 feet long, and 1955 was the only year for the mid-length seven-foot bed.
1958 and 1959
For 1958 the light-duty trucks were renamed Apache, the medium-duty trucks Viking and the heavy-duty trucks Spartan. That year brought the first factory-fitted air conditioning, a shorter full-width grille, four headlamps instead of two and parking lights moved into the grille. A new all-steel styleside bed replaced the Cameo and Suburban bodies; Chevrolet called it Fleetside and GMC called it Wideside, in 6.5 and 8 ft lengths. 1959 was the last year of the series, with a larger hood emblem, redesigned fender badging and the final chance to order the NAPCO Powr-Pak four-wheel-drive conversion from the factory. The Apache name carried over into the next generation until 1961.
Design and features
- Wraparound windscreen: the first in the American truck industry.
- 12-volt electrics: an upgrade from the previous six-volt system.
- Optional V8 and power assistance: V8 engines, power steering and power brakes were offered for the first time.
- Wideside bed: GMC’s name for the new all-steel styleside cargo box from 1958.
- Deluxe cab: optional wraparound rear window and a taller cab with built-in steps.
GMC Blue Chip versions
- Blue Chip pickup (1955-1957): the light-duty truck with the egg-crate or open grille.
- GMC Suburban Pickup: the GMC version of the Cameo Carrier, without the bedside trim.
- Palomino (1957): a show truck built for GMC with a Pontiac 347 cu in V8 from the Star Chief.
- Medium- and heavy-duty models: commercial and heavy trucks were also available in the new body.
- Apache, Viking and Spartan (1958-1959): the new names for light, medium and heavy trucks.
The Blue Chip was replaced by the GMC C/K series for 1960. The later GMC Sierra and GMC Suburban continue the names that grew out of this range. More trucks are in the GMC collection.
Sources
- Chevrolet Task Force, English Wikipedia: 1955-1959 design, engines, equipment, year changes
