They never expected this. After extensive research regarding what business owners wanted in a new truck, Chevrolet's designers come up with the new Advanced Design Era truck - and it debuted in 1950. The now completely welded cab was eight inches wider and seven inches longer than before - and this offered their first three-man seat that was fully adjustable. The windows and doors got bigger and there was another new feature - a fresh-air heater/defroster system that brought fresh outside air into the cab and forced used air out through vents at the rear of the cab. Yep, it was modern. And when they came out in 1950 they came with a the 216.5 cubic-inch six that put out 92 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and 176 ft-lbs of torque at 1,500 rpm - not bad for the time. They made these trucks through 1955 and they remained on sale until March 25, 1955, when all-new V-8 pickups were announced. And then they were gone.

But the "hot rod" crowd still loves the Advanced Design Era truck - this is a 1953 3100 pickup, for sale on Sunset Boulevard, late afternoon, Tuesday, November 14, 2006. Chevrolet pickups were number one in sales during every year of the Advance Design Era, and this 1950 3100-series Chevy pickup is one of the most desirable models from that era. But a '53 will do.

This one has been done up in fine style.