A little background may be in order when a 1955 Chevy Cameo pickup truck is the main feature in a story.
The Cameo was a limited-edition Chevrolet pickup truck with a unique back end that mimicked the famous 1955 Chevy car model.
Jim Sutherland
The Cameo used fiberglass rear fenders to add the right curves to the truck and provide a car-like vibe for its upscale buyers. The Corvette had already given GM an example of creative styling via the use of fiberglass, consequently the 1955 Cameo was an extension of that game plan.
The Chevy car style cues extended to the taillights and bumper on the ’55 Cameo, cementing its place on a list of very desirable limited edition domestic vehicles built during the 1950s.
Bob Spragg is a big fan of the Chevy Cameo because of its iconic blend of car and truck style. So much so that he bought one 20 years ago and began a resto mod project on the truck.
Bob told MyStarCollectorCar the process involved a lengthy search for appropriate parts and about five years in total working on the actual project. The result is an award-winning resto mod that is a proven road warrior because Bob has logged about 8000 miles in his custom pickup since the project’s completion.
The truck’s original powertrain was replaced with a RAMJET 350 small block coupled to a 700 R4 automatic transmission and a Ford 9-inch rear end. It’s a sturdy combination that has powered the ’55 Cameo resto mod down the road for the past 10 years since the project’s completion.
Bob is a licensed mechanic who leans heavily toward a clean look, so he relocated every component on the Cameo’s firewall to eliminate the clutter and hid the AC lines behind the reworked inner fenders. Additionally, Bob removed the Cameo’s vent windows to smooth out the door lines and get less wind noise in the bargain.
He also disguised the transplant engine’s fuel injection behind an imitation Rochester housing to replicate the look of Chevy’s early fuel injection system from the 1950s.
Bob paid considerable attention to the go-fast component of his build but he did not forget its brake system and installed four-wheel discs on the Cameo so he could whoa it up in a hurry because he intended to drive it.
He also wanted a pleasant ride for his road adventures, so Bob added a plush bench seat, along with power steering and brakes to his creature comfort list for the truck. As mentioned earlier, Bob’s truck also has air conditioning to make road adventures even more passenger-friendly along the way.
Cameo fans will already know the trucks left the factory with two-tone paint schemes, but Bob decided to give his truck an all-black paint scheme. Every car guy knows that black does not hide imperfections, but Bob has flawless paint on his ’55 Cameo.
Chevy replacement parts are typically easier to find; however, Bob had a difficult time finding the correct hardware for the Cameo’s tailgate because “nobody makes it” in his words. Fortunately, patience and talent won the day, so now the pieces look brand-new.
These days Bob can enjoy his time with his 1955 Chevy Cameo pickup because all his hard work has meant many happy miles and plenty of trophies since its debut as a very cool resto mod.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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