1959 Chevrolet 3100

Description

Mixing old and new isn't a recent phenomenon, but rarely have we seen them blended so seamlessly as on this 1959 Chevrolet pickup. Aside from the chrome wheels, it looks pretty much like your uncle's farm truck, but underneath it's a later chassis with a big block and a bunch of modern amenities.

Bright red is always the right choice on a vintage pickup, but this one isn't faded and dusty like those you remember from your childhood. Instead, it's been given the once-over to bring it up to modern standards, and the results are certainly eye-catching. The bodywork is straight and clean with good gaps all around and a pleasing forward-looking design that gives the truck a sense of motion. The red paint is a few years old now and may be showing its age, but even from ten feet away it shines up beautifully and looks very appealing. A lot of the chrome trim was shaved, modern mirrors were affixed to the doors, while the original grille was painted to match the body just to clean things up a bit. Chrome bumpers fore and aft add a little contrast, as does the nicely finished oak bed which looks very fresh and has probably never been used for any actual work.

It's inside that you start to see the blending of old and new. There's still a wide bench seat that gives three-abreast seating and the 1959 dashboard sweeps from end to end. It's highlighted by the original instrument panel, which is now filled with a modern gauge cluster that's been cleverly designed to fit in the original chevron-shaped housing. Pretty cool! On the other hand, the steering column and wheel are clearly late-model pieces and this truck has also been fitted with an A/C system that uses simple eyeball vents in the dash to keep a low profile. The radio's original slot has been commandeered by the A/C controls and a center vent, but you can easily add your own entertainment if you're creative, but I suspect that you'll discover that this truck is plenty of fun without the need for music, too. The black vinyl seat cover is in good shape and it wears heavy-duty rubber mats to protect the floors.

The hardware underneath is what makes this truck special. The frame is from a 1972 Chevy C10, and it brings with it two decades of R&D, so it rides, stops, and handles better than any 1950s pickup you've ever driven. The engine is a 402 cubic inch big block that makes effortless torque and flings the vintage pickup around like a muscle car. It's got a classic Chevy look with bright corporate orange paint and those wide valve covers. Detailing is quite good, with the engine standing out against an all-black engine bay that intentionally stays in the background. Power steering and power disc brakes, as well as a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission make this truck as easy to drive as your modern hauler. Dual exhaust has a burly big block sound and the heavy-duty rear end doesn't seem to mind all the power churning through it. Flashy chrome wheels make it stand out and ride inside 235/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

An ideal combination of old and new, this is a great-driving old truck that simply works the way you'd want it to and remains eminently easy to service. Call today!