page 6, 1950
taken from the Light Commercial Vehicle Association (LCVA) - Mar/Apr 1984

The 1950 model year ushered in the fourth year of the new Chevrolet truck line.  No appearance changes were made except for Suburban Carryall paint colors which were now the same as for the other trucks.  The two tone paint schemes which had been the standard for Suburbans was now dropped except for fleet use.  All 1949 paint colors were carried over.

The Loadmaster line was given a new higher output engine and the Thriftmaster engine was given a new carburetor.

The Carryall Suburban was now available with panel body type rear doors in addition to the tail gate-lift gate type.  This new type rear door was easier to open when he driver had an armful of packages and if the Suburban was fitted with special bus equipment, passengers could exit through the rear door.

The Loadmaster engine for 1950 was the same size, but it’s output was increased to 105 hp from 93 hp due to a new carburetor and increased breathing capacity.  Preciously Chevrolet used one manifold to fit both engines, now a larger manifold was developed specifically for the larger engine to increase it’s breathing capacity.  Also, larger intake and exhaust valves and larger intake and exhaust passages were provided.  Combustion Design Engineer call this volumetric efficiency.

The Forward control chassis models were equipped with the new Loadmaster engine.  This increases their low-speed performance, flexibility and pulling power.  Their top speed was limited by holding their maximum power to 92 hp by restricting the intake system.

The major change in the Thriftmaster engine was the addition of an all new carburetor.  Other engine improvements included relocating the oil gallery, improving the cylinder case casting structure, and the size and seal angle of the exhaust valves was increased.

The horsepower output for the Thriftmaster engine for 1950 showed a increase over the 1949 model (in the table to the right).  This was actually the result of changes made over a period of years since the last certified production engine performance tests given in 1941.  Some of the minor changes since 1941 were valve timing modifications in 1948, a small increase in compression ratio in 1949, and larger exhaust valves in 1950.

The only chassis change on the Thriftmaster series was the addition of direct double type shock absorbers as the standard offering for the 3000 series.  These were the same shocks as used on the new Sedan Delivery for 1949.  These shocks operated on the double principle, they would damp out both compression and rebound motions of the springs.

Several improvements were made to the body for 1950, but only two of them are of great importance to us.  First, the seat was improved by making it wider, thus decreasing the space between it and the cab doors giving better support at the ends and the seat was made more durable by adding turns to the coil springs and by increasing the gauge of the spring wire.

Secondly, the floor boards of panel and canopy express models were changed to plywood construction.  In the new construction a single panel of wood and five skid strips replaced thirteen floor boards and twelve skid strips.  The new floor was positively sealed against dust leakage and the plywood made the floor 25 to 30% stronger than the former construction.

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