Last updated on December 22, 2022
Today’s truck is a tribute Helms Bakery truck and is owned and built by Steve Daniel. It is a 1955 Chevrolet 3100 2 door panel truck and is finished in a non traditional colors a Creamy Yellow and a not traditional Metallic Burgundy. Helms trucks traditional colors were Wheat and a custom mixed Blue called Helmsman Blue. The rear panel area of the truck is filled with a wooden cabinet. A shelf across the top was stocked with loafs of bread, and under that were a stack of long drawers that held fresh baked bread, donuts, rolls and cookies. The rear doors hold paper bags, waxed paper and other supplies used to dispense and wrap the goodies. Don’t miss the sun shade above the rear doors. To signal the customers of arrival, the trucks had a distinctive horn or the driver had a Helms Bakery whistle that they blew. I looked up Helm’s Bakery whistle and found an original for sale ebay for $605.46!!!
The 3100 was a 1/2 ton truck. It is powered by a 235 cu in, 3.85 liter, in-line 6 cylinder engine with a single-barrel Rochester carburetor, helping to produce the 112 hp. Transferring that power through a 3 speed manual transmission and delivering that power to the rear wheels through 3.90 to 1 rear end gear ratio. The front suspension consisted of an I-beam system, and in the rear a semi-floating system using semi elliptical springs. Stopping power comes from 11 inch hydraulic drums on all four wheels.
The original MSRP was $1,630.00. I have never seen the 3 added chrome strips on the fenders of early Chevy trucks before. This is a great restoration and has history of Helm’s Bakery that follows it. Thanks for riding along. Frank
