Truckin'#458 - 1954 Chevrolet "All Star Show" truck

[Otto Puzzell]

For one point: Identify this vehicle, and what distinguishes it from others of its type.

Only a correct, complete and specific answer will earn a point; tag-on's to other guesses will not. So, be specific and complete!
 

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[Otto Puzzell]

Up

[fyreline]

Using information gathered from George H. Dammanns's excellent 75 Years of Chevrolet book: this is a 1954 Chevrolet Model 5103 COE (cab over engine) tractor used to haul Chevy's traveling "All Star Show" around the country. It featured a special two-tone paint job, chrome bumpers, custom wheel discs, and large custom rear fender pods containing the fuel tanks and automatic sanders in front of each rear wheel for additional traction in areas of the country where the show encountered snow and ice. Also whitewall tires, a spotlight and a radio. On the rear is a highly unusual item for a truck tractor; a rear bumper, probably chromed as well, and a horizontally- mounted spare. This was a Deluxe-model truck to begin with which featured rear quarter windows, and there is some question as to whether that cab (which was an option on conventional trucks and pickups) was actually available on COE models, or if this was the only one. The All Star Show travelled around the country setting up displays which featured all the newest Chevrolet products. Surely one of the fanciest truck tractors around at that time . . . Sort of a precursor to the fantastic over-the-road truck tractors we see today with all their chrome embellishments.

[Otto Puzzell]

Very complete.

The chrome spear on the side of the sanding pods is believed to be from a Corvette.

[Wendax]

George H. Dammanns's excellent 75 Years of Chevrolet book

A great book indeed. I just got it ebay together with two other Chevrolet books for incredible 8 euros, p&p included. 

[fyreline]

The chrome spear on the side of the sanding pods is believed to be from a Corvette.

Yes, it sure looks like it. Thanks for the All-Star Show flyer, too. I couldn't find much more than a couple of small newspaper items mentioning the show, but that flyer gives a much more complete picture of what it really was.