According to the General Motors Heritage Archive, the Model 3112 is described in documents as a “Model 3112 Windshield Cowl Chassis” that was set up to have custom bodywork fitted by the coachbuilder of the purchaser’s choice. A running chassis with fenders, windshield, hood and grille were the main components illustrated in company paperwork.

This particular Model 3112 represents a rare example that has bodywork from J.T. Cantrell & Co. of Huntington Station, New York – according to their factory releases they were recognized as “The best in Station Wagons for 33 years.” At the time of this original build; Cantrell was nearing the end-of-the-line, as was the practice of wood-structured body building. According to information in the Standard Catalog of American Light-Duty Trucks (Third Edition) this represents the First Series of that years truck offerings introduced in the fall of 1954. By having the early build, it has a grille and fenders reminisce of the 1954 model. The Second Series had the all-new sheetmetal with slab sides and hooded headlights and was introduced on March 25, 1955, and would pave the way for the trend-setting Cameo Carrier.

According to documents, the Cantrell Station Wagon Body for the new Chevrolet 1/2-ton windshield-cowl chassis featured a body frame made of ash with the panels being made from marine-grade plywood. Every piece was immersed in toxic wood primer as a precaution against dry rot, fungus and insect infestation. All exposed joints were joined with waterproof glue. The complete body was finished in a natural wood finish with a baked on high-quality spar varnish.

Cantrell used safety glass throughout, with the usual crank operation on the two front doors and horizontal sliding glass on the two rear doors and rear side windows.

The rear lift door was specified as full body width with a continuous, leakproof hinge. The seats provide room for eight passengers with the front seat having three adjustable positions. The middle and rear seat were interchangeable and the seats could be quickly removed for maximum passenger capacity. No tools were required for these functions. The finished body weighed in at approximately 840 pounds.

The Cantrell Station Wagon Body was to be ordered through your local Chevrolet dealer at the time the chassis order is placed. If you specified Cantrell, this vehicle is what you would receive when your order was completed.

This Carryall comes with a copy of its original invoice from Gifford Chevrolet, Inc. in South Orange, New Jersey. The wagon was sold to Charles Krivanel, Sr. in Union, New Jersey and was ordered to be finished in C-264 Pure White. This presents a wonderful opportunity to acquire a documented and rare “woodie” that was originally restored in the mid-1980s, and is a former AACA Senior National First Prize winner from 1988. This was backed by an AACA Grand National First Prize winner in 1990. The vehicle was frame-off restored in 2012, with the emphasis on the wood and paint due to the overall good condition still exhibited from the earlier refurbishment. It comes with receipts documenting the process.

Please click the blue "Condition Report" box above for additional details regarding this specific vehicle.