1953 Chevrolet 3100 5 Window

Description

We see a lot of pretty cool pickups, but this 1953 Chevy 3100 might be the most elegant we've ever featured. And it's more than just pretty, because there's an LS1 powerplant underneath, a leather-lined interior, and a well-designed chassis that's built for the road.

This truck has already earned its share of kudos and shows just 63 miles on the build, with most of those probably coming while it was driving on and off the trailer. This show-worthy hauler started as a 5-window pickup and was stripped bare and fully rebuilt using old-fashioned hot-rodding tricks and exceptional craftsmanship. Most notable is, of course, the paint job, which offers a black-and-tan combination separated by a red pinstripe to make this blue-collar pickup look at home on Rodeo Drive. The door handles and some of the trim was shaved, but they kept the trademark grille and cool emblem on the nose, while the bed got a full makeover that includes a fresh wood floor, a custom tailgate, and faired-in taillights that look suitably old-fashioned. The overall workmanship is quite impressive, with a great gloss and smooth finish everywhere you look, and you'll be proud to show it off.

Gray leather buckets from a modern Camaro are a nice fit in the 3100 cab, and anchor an interior that is just as subtle and expertly done as the bodywork. New black carpets match the custom-made door panels, and while the seats are wearing factory leather, they're in fantastic condition. Upgrades include a tilt column, A/C discreetly stashed under the instrument panel, power windows, and remote door poppers, all of which bring this vintage pickup into the 21st century. The original dash was painted to match the body and it really brightens up the cab, particularly with bright chrome on the central grille and glove box lid. Custom gauges with neat old-school fonts really work well in the factory holes and with a late-model Chevrolet steering wheel, it keeps a very OEM feel inside.

For powering your rod, it's pretty hard to beat a late-model LS1 V8. The all-aluminum powerplant was liberated from a 2000 Camaro Z/28, and thanks to a cable-operated throttle body, the swap is pretty straightforward. Red Z06 coil covers dress up the otherwise all-black engine bay, and the potent V8 is a neat fit in the pickup's engine bay, so service access is still pretty good. The front subframe is also Camaro-based and brings power rack-and-pinion steering and power front disc brakes with it and a TCI engine and transmission harness was used to get the LS1 and 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission talking to each other properly. A custom exhaust system uses catalysts and glasspack-style mufflers for a mellow sound and exits just ahead of the rear wheels. A 10-bolt rear end with 3.23 gears inside means this truck is a superlative highway cruiser that'll just eat up miles of asphalt without wearing you out and thanks to the chassis upgrades, it rides rather well for a pickup. Big Torque Thrust style wheels are a great choice on a retro-rod like this and carry 245/45/17 Goodyear rubber that fills the fenders perfectly.

Beautifully built and ready to cruise, this truck is ready to start collecting trophies or hammering the highways, both of which it does equally well. Call today!