1949 Chevrolet 3100

Description

One of the best-looking trucks of all time also makes for one of the best rods. This 1949 Chevrolet 3100 didn't need any extensive body mods to look this good, it was built-in at the factory. Combined with a smooth-running 350 cubic inch V8 and a luxurious leather interior, it's a vintage hauler that does everything right.

The two tone combination was a familiar sight back in the early post-war days, and the tan and brown metallic finish on this truck definitely recalls a bygone era. The rounded fenders, hood, and cab contrast smartly with the angular bed to make a truck that's both stylish and functional, even though its working days are probably over. Finish quality, thanks to a frame-off build a few years ago, is good given the fact that it's been driven 2772 miles since then, and it fits together well enough to impress onlookers. There's nothing radical or unusual about the color combination or how its applied, but that's exactly what you want from a fun cruiser like this, and pretty much everyone agrees that these are great-looking trucks. Like most restored pickups, the beautiful wood bed has been fully restored, and there's a side-mounted spare tire that looks great and carries a hard-shell cover with the image of the truck emblazoned on its face.

The leather bucket seats were borrowed from a Nissan Quest minivan, and it's remarkable how at-home they look in the 60-year-old pickup. The driver's side is power-actuated and the OEM-grade materials wear like iron and still look great. Custom two-tone door panels were stitched together to cover the formerly all-steel inner doors and the dash was painted to match the light tan metallic portions of the body. Custom carpets add a level of luxury and sound control that this truck's original owner could only dream of and the wood-rimmed steering wheel certainly helps in that regard. Custom Stewart-Warner instruments were clearly built with these trucks in mind and fit perfectly in the original round pods, and a modern Sony AM/FM/CD/iPod stereo has been cleverly integrated into the dash with speakers behind the factory grille in the center of the panel. There's A/C under the dash (which needs a shot of R134a refrigerant) and a tilt wheel to complete the modern transformation.

A 350 cubic inch crate motor fits between the fenders like it was born there and they clearly went to great lengths to give the engine compartment a factory feel. Satin black inner panels frame the Chevy V8, which wears a few chrome dress-up items for looks and an Edelbrock carburetor for power. Note how neatly all the accessories are grouped, the professional-looking HVAC lines, and the modern power master cylinder for the disc brake conversion-all very skillfully done. Headers feed a custom dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers for a wonderful V8 rumble from the vintage Chevy. The rest of the driveline is all late-model GM stuff, from the automatic transmission to the 10-bolt rear end hanging on leaf springs, so it rides and handles like a modern vehicle. Chrome Rallys with custom center caps give a custom look and wear 235/70/15 Uniroyal radials at all four corners.

Fun, reliable, and handsome, this nicely built pickup offers all the great things about a modern hot rod without the cost and wait of building it yourself. Call today!