A landmark in the history of the American automobile, the Chevrolet Cameo introduced the concept of the pickup truck as an everyday family car fit for suburban garages and more than just a piece of utility equipment.

The Cameo shed the workaday image of previous trucks by adopting a clean, sculpted exterior—among the most handsome of any classic pickup—and passenger-car amenities, making it the forefather of today’s ubiquitous pickups and sport utility vehicles. During early development, the focus was on engineering an integral cargo bed that blended seamlessly with the passenger cabin, much like on the later Chevrolet El Camino. But this approach was ultimately abandoned in favor of a traditional bed separate from the cabin, as the integral design compromised load capacity. Sleek though it would be, Chevrolet was also counting on the Cameo to carry forward its predecessors’ rugged capabilities.

Notably, the earliest examples to roll off the assembly line were all finished in Bombay Ivory. But more importantly, the Cameo introduced the “Fleetside” box, which concealed the wheel arches within the bed, thus lending to the truck’s sleek, sophisticated look. The outer bodywork for the cargo bed and the tailgate were fiberglass, while the inner shell was steel for durability. A wraparound windshield and plenty of chrome trim further elevated the pickup from utilitarian to respectable. While designed to appeal to a more sophisticated buyer, it was still a fully capable work truck. In fact, the Cameo handled better than any of its predecessors, thanks in part to optional power steering, an automatic transmission with overdrive, and four-wheel drum brakes. The introduction of the Cameo pickup was truly a watershed moment in the automotive landscape, one that brought the pickup out of the farm field and into the suburban supermarket parking lot.

This 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Cameo Pickup is one of just 5,520 examples built for the very first model year. Described as having received a complete frame-off restoration by the time of Ron Jury’s acquisition in 2018, it is finished in factory-correct Bombay Ivory and Gypsy Red over a red and beige interior. Under the hood, a 265-cubic-inch V-8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor sends power to the rear axle through a Saginaw three-speed transmission controlled by a column shifter.

Thanks to the high-quality and well-preserved restoration, the truck shows in wonderful condition. Bright chrome trim and wheel covers accent the glossy exterior, which features sumptuous details like a wood-slatted cargo-bed floor and period redline tires. The inviting interior’s vinyl bench seat remains fresh, while the bright red dashboard is bejeweled with chromed knobs and an AM radio.

The original “luxury” truck, this 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Cameo Pickup marks an important inflection point in the evolution of the pickup and thus holds great appeal to both history buffs and fans of mid-century Americana alike.