1955 Chevrolet 5700 – Auction Car of the Week

At Car & Classic we pride ourselves on the sheer breadth of vehicles we offer as well as the myriad niches that we cater for that pepper this wonderful world of classic vehicles that we all love so much. Of course we have the BMWs and the MGs and the classic Fords but we also showcase the unique, the individual. It’s what makes us the world’s largest classic & specialist vehicle marketplace and that “specialist” part is important to us. Not everyone likes the same things. If they did the world would be a very boring place. A place, for instance, without such wonderful machinery as this 1955 Chevrolet 5700.

Now there are various ways of transporting vehicles to and fro, from a simple tow bar to trailers and low-loaders, and that’s fine if you merely need to ferry a car from one place to another. But if you really want to arrive in style, if you want a true sense of occasion, then this Chevy transporter is definitely the truck for you. Imagine pulling up to a show in this beast with another classic car perched proudly on the back. Well it’s simply retro heaven.

You’ve probably already guessed but this is no ordinary ’55 Chevy. Far from it. This is a bespoke, one-of-a-kind truck that has been lovingly restored by legendary UK campervan and custom truck builders Jack’s Shack. And boy have they gone to town on this one. Based on an original Chevrolet COE (Cab Over Engine) and chassis the bones were imported into the UK in 2017 and then treated to a complete, bare metal nut and bolt rebuild from 2019 to 2021. Now fully UK registered no washer has been left unturned and the results speak for themselves. Just look at it!

It’s a visually stunning machine, not just because of its sheer size (it is 30 feet long after all), but because of the wonderfully vibrant, professionally applied burnt orange paint job. Make no mistake though, this is no fixed bed show pony. Oh no. While it would no doubt wow at any show it was featured at (and it already has the awards to back up this claim) the wood-finished, remote-controlled custom tipping bed is fully functional, complete with hidden ramps and built-in lockers. This is a working transporter. It just happens to be in absolutely pristine condition too. And those custom-built exhaust stacks… Wow.

Befitting of such a behemoth the truck is fitted with the legendary 5.9-litre Cummins engine, complete with turbocharger and intercooler. Hugely powerful and providing more than enough grunt to comfortably shift not only the truck but whatever else you decide to stick on the back of it too with ease. With modern running gear, DAF 45 axels, a ZF 5-speed gearbox and an air clutch and air-ride suspension this Chevrolet 5700 is as effortless to drive as any new vehicle, despite being larger than Durham. Completing the package is a full set of brand new air-over-hydraulic brakes ensuring this beast stops just as well as it goes.

The attention to detail and quality of workmanship extends to the interior too and the cabin of the 5700 has been lavishly adorned in custom black vinyl with bespoke embroidery and contrasting orange piping. Completely modernised the quality of the workmanship is evident whichever part of the gorgeous interior your eyes happen to fall upon. From the chrome detailing to the wood-rimmed steering wheel and custom 8-ball gear knob it’s just a wonderful place to be and in keeping with the overall resto-mod, hot rod aesthetic.

Whether transporting your pride and joy to a show or simply going solo, this custom, one-off 1955 Chevrolet 5700 is quite the vision and is sure to make an impression wherever it (rather conspicuously) rears its head. With a recent full, professional restoration under its belt by one of the big hitters in the hot-rodding world, it’s not only a statement piece but a fully functional and practical way to cart your classics around and we can think of no better way to do just that.