Personally, I love Tri-Five Chevy trucks almost, if not more than, the '47-54 Advanced Design series. While I will never understand why this era of GM trucks still, to this day, has a hard time competing with that "other" truck-which was only produced for one year-when it comes to popularity as a whole (did anyone ever make a fuss about Chevy's 50th Anniversary of the '55 Second Series?), I do know they will remain a benchmark in classic truck history.
For Brian Ramsey, the reason for his interest in Chevrolet's Task Force series pickups, particularly the '55s, is a bit more personal. When Brian was a kid, he fondly recalls his uncle Coy and the '55 pickup, which he drove daily. unfortunately, a master cylinder failure prematurely ended the truck's life, but more importantly, his uncle's too. Loving both dearly, Brian set out to create a fitting tribute for uncle Coy.
Brian's '55 Cameo may be slightly nicer and less equipped to haul dry goods than his departed uncle's, but be that as it may, it's driven-and driven hard-pretty much on a daily basis, just like uncle Coy's! With its Total Cost Involved chassis (modified, assembled, and finished by Mike Freeman) outfitted with a Magnuson-blown LS1, a beefedup 4L60E trans, and a Currie 9-inch Posi rearend, Brian can-and does-do more than just putt around Mars Hill, North Carolina...he literally leaves his mark in the form of a blurred BFGoodrich g-Force footprint, possibly much to the dismay of the local authorities!
The Cameo is basically top-notch from every angle: flawless bodywork and mirror-like black exterior finish by Bobby Gordon (Travelers Rest, South Carolina), a gorgeous Dark African Wenge bed floor, and a '62 Vette-inspired, all-leather interior by Steve Holcombe (knoxville, Tennessee). Even a dyed-in-the-wool Blue oval fan has to admit, it doesn't get much better than this. And none of it would have been possible if it weren't for the added help from Brian's sons, Clint and Dustin, as well as his friend Lanny Robinson. Uncle Coy's definitely smiling down from above!