1958 Chevrolet Cameo Carrier
It has been written, on more than one occasion, that well before the Lightnings or the SS454s, General Motors developed the very first “sport truck” (though at the time they were dubbed “luxury trucks”) when they unveiled the Cameo Carrier in 1958 to coincide with the launch of the all-new Task Force series.
Boasting V-8 power, automatic transmission, two-tone paint, and deluxe interior, the 1955 Chevrolet Cameo narrowed the distance between car and truck. Although not a big seller, it set the stage for other stylish trucks, such as the Ford Styleside, the Dodge Sweptside, and Chevy’s own Fleetside pickup.
For 1958, Chevrolet light-duty trucks in the Task Force line became known as Apaches, and just 1,405 examples of the Cameo model variant were produced for 1958, which was discontinued mid-year. The Cameo model had fiberglass rear fenders, two-tone paint, well-appointed interior, and passenger-car styling. The front-end was revised with a shorter, wider grille, and quad headlights.
Most notably, however, along with that just-right hot rod stance, it’s the Chevy Cameo’s particular colors (atop the immaculate bodywork) by Squeeg’s Kustoms that really give the truck its personality. Simply listed as “custom-mixed green and cream,” the PPG two-tone metallic main body color shimmers like no other, with the accent color adding the perfect neutral complement.
Independent Rear Suspension, accent color matched Wheelsmith 17- and 18-inch Billet Smoothie wheels conceal the Vette four wheel disc brake conversion yet fill the wheel wells perfectly and the Bridgestone 235/45 and 265/60 Potenza radials they wear.
The grillework, in keeping with contemporary tastes, was complex and “busy,” incorporating parking lights. The hood was reshaped to make it level with the cowl, and set off by new series-designation plates.
No matter what angle or perspective you admire the Waites’ 1958 Chevy from, it’s got that unmistakable Cameo allure to it—with that unmistakable hot rod touch, of course!
