Help from the experts

A friend where I work picked up a 1951 Chevy pickup. It has a automatic shifter on the column that looks original. My question is, could you order an automatic in a 51 pickup back in the day? I have never seen one.

 

GM used hydromatics in some trucks.

 

never heard of a Chevrolet truck of that vintage with an automatic from the factory.

 

Do you know what the shift pattern is.
As I remember the pattern for the Hydromatic was PND21R.
The pattern for a pre 58 cast iron power glide is PNDLR.
Hope this helps.

 

I will see him tomorrow and see what the pattern is.

 

I have seen them in GMC but not a chevy and it seem like R was park.

 

I talked to my friend at work today. the shift pattern is that of a Powerglide. PNDLR.
The current trans is a TH 350 with a 10 bolt rear circa 1966.

 

1954 was the first year a auto was offered in a chevy/gmc pick up. only year for closed drive line in a pick up and in 1955 first series they went to open .

 

here is a 1958 hydramatic colum shifter.what i seen and heard is that gmc had hydramatic 1949 never seen one hooked up to a chevy engine i mean 4-speed hydramatic

 

Here is a pic of the shifter. The floor where clutch pedal would be is blocked off with what looks like a factory item. I have asked my friend to send me a pic of this area.

 

Powerglide -Hydramatic pattern different I'm pretty sure a powerglide was available in a 51 pickup.

 

Good possibility that a previous owner gutted a '55 1st series for the trans, column, shifter and such for his truck. Stuff like that happened pretty frequently as a person say lost mobility in a leg, but didn't want to get rid of a faithfull truck.

 

I want to thank everyone for your input. This was a hard one to figure out.
Need Louvers? I think you may be on to something. It may have been a war vet.
Here is a pic of the floor.