Just Picked up a Cameo but I am not sure that it is one. Dose anyone know how to find out if it's a reall one or a clone?
Cameo vin's didn't have any special code but all 55 Cameos had 265 V8s so there should be a "V" to signify a V8. Here's a breakdown of 55 Chevy truck codes. http://www.oldride.com/library/1955_chevrolet_cameo.html
well if its a clone and you dont want a clone send it to me i wouldnt care as long as all the cameo parts and pieces are present
Not all Cameos were V8's, but they were all big window cabs with all of the Deluxe trim. Mine is a true Cameo that came with a 235 six & 3 speed. Really the only difference between a Deluxe cab stepside and a Cameo is the box, and the colors that were factory available. Look the box over closely. Most of the repro rear fenders have fender lips that do not roll under quite as far as the originals, (at least the repro ones that I've seen). The last time that I checked, many Cameo parts were still not reproduced.....For example, the tailgate retractors, and retractor covers. Also, I've never seen the reinforcement rods that bolt the bottom edge of the rear fenders to the inner wall of the bed sides, listed as being reproduced. Probably the toughest pieces to find are the trim pieces that follow the front edge of the rear fenders, and the taillights. No one makes the trim pieces. The taillights are available, but are either fiberglas or cast in aluminum, instead of the original pot metal. Course, it's been a few years since I looked for Cameo parts, so things may have changed recently. Also, since yours is a 55, if it has never had the paint stripped, there will be ivory and red paint underneath any repaint jobs. All 55 Cameos were Bombay Ivory and Commercial Red, with a red and ivory interior. The underside of the hood on mine even had the word ivory scrawlled on it, from the factory.
Look at the data plate on the driver door hinge pillar, if it's original and has the paint code for one of the Cameo trim and paint options, then it could be legit...if no one messed with it.... If you poke around this site you can find a neat data package for your year truck. http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html .
Did all the years of Cameos have the paint code on the data plate? My 55 doesn't have any paint code at all on the data plate.
I'm no expert but I'm not aware that the VIN contains paint color info. Here is a link to the VIN decoding info on Stovebolt.com. http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/VIN.htm I've only owned my Cameo for a few months but its been in the family for a long time. It came with a 6 and a Hydramatic.
No cowl tags, they're not like the cars. I guess the paint/trim codes first appeared on trucks in 56, on the hinge pillar GVW/engine data tag. The data tag does not say what engine it has, only what the rated HP is of the different engines available. The VIN does tell you if it had a V8, at least it does on the 57-up.
Some ***embly plants marked line setting info on the cowl with crayon or chalk ... look for scribbled codes, especially 3124.
I have a series 2 Cameo Basket case that I just bought is there a way to tell what motor it came with ? The Vin is H255O013963 I know this means H = 3100 2 = series 2 55 = 1955 O = Oakland Ca. 013963 = production number How Can I tell what motor or trans came in this Truck my understanding is 1955 series 1 Trucks were all V8 ? ( is that true?) but series 2 trucks came with a 6 or V8 as indicated on the door tag of my truck but it doesn't say which it came with any cameo spe******t have any input It would be greatly appreciated. I know you want a pic the motor in the pickup is not original to the truck It's 327 out of a 65 corvette or p***enger car. the registration on this truck expired in 1968 It's been off the road for some time
Quick way to tell is if the front motor mount brackets are riveted to the frame crossmember. 6 cylinder trucks did not have those brackets, V8 trucks did. When guys swap in a V8 they often bolt the brackets in.
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