1955 Chevrolet 3100

Description

If you look through the Streetside Classics inventory, you'll see a few trucks like this 1955 Chevrolet 3100, but those for sale are only a fraction of the dozens we've had come through our doors. The simple fact is, these trucks just don't last long on the showroom floor, and the zooming prices and our inability to keep them in stock despite that fact suggests that they are very desirable collectables. They're also pretty darned good trucks.

Tuxedo Black really dresses up the working-class 3100, and I'm guessing that very few of these trucks looked this good when they were new. But who's complaining? This pickup looks fantastic! You wouldn't think the paint could have been applied in 2008 because it sure looks great on the curvy old truck's sheetmetal, all of which is steel and in excellent shape. Gaps are very good and you're going to invest a lot of time looking for flaws on this one, because it's really well done. The bed is probably over-restored with those lovely wooden planks and polished rub strips, but everyone falls in love with the warmth that real wood offers. A wrap-around windshield was a big innovation for a pickup truck back then, and most of the chrome, including the bumpers and grille, are new so they are in excellent condition. This truck just glitters from any angle.

The tan interior is a very pleasant surprise when you open the door. Replicating a popular period look, it's handsome yet functional without looking stripped down. A black dashboard, simple steel door panels, and painted window frames, plus the matching tan armrest in the center of the seat give this basic pickup truck a comfortable feel from behind the wheel. The billet instrument panel itself is full of round gauges that look great and show off big, easy-to-read numbers that monitor the smooth-running small block V8 up front. Under-dash A/C was added and it's remarkably effective, and with a big 3-spoke steering wheel and a tilt column, you'll look for excuses to take this one cruising. You'll note that there's also a modern AM/FM/cassette stereo in the center of the dash, and the way it's designed, it looks like it was born there.

This Chevy contains a robust 1963 283 cubic inch V8 and it transforms this truck from working-class mule to genuine muscle truck. It's beautifully detailed and shows minimal use even after 12,407 miles, with bright Chevy Orange paint, proper valve covers, and an OEM air cleaner assembly up top. The carburetor is also a 1963 Rochester 4-barrel, so there's a bit of horsepower added there, and there's a giant 4-core radiator up front. The TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and Pontiac 10-bolt rear end with 2.43 gears on a Posi mean that it's a great highway cruiser. The frame has been reinforced and boxed and fitted with a 1980 Camaro front clip, which also includes power steering and power front disc brakes for a thoroughly modern experience. A custom Flowmaster dual exhaust system sounds great without getting annoying and flashy American Racing aluminum wheels carry fat tires that really fill the old fenders properly.

They aren't all this nice, but these Chevy pickups never last long here in the showroom. Don't miss this one, call today!