Frame Off Restored 3100 Pickup

If you're in the market for something fun that's guaranteed to hold its appeal for a very long time, it's hard to go wrong with a fully restored truck. America's workhorses are finally commanding the respect they deserve. And with great pieces like this clean Chevrolet 3100 offering factory fresh appeal for weekend warrior money, it's not hard to see why. A perfect blend of classic virtues and everyday drivability that'll always be attractive to collectors, this handsome red pickup is a top notch exercise in old school charm and vintage swagger. If you're looking for a rare trifecta of 'low maintenance', 'fun to own' and 'great investment potential', this '49 Chevy is your best bet!

As the beneficiary of a recent high quality frame-off restoration, this sweet Chevrolet half ton is a fully sorted crowd gatherer which wraps classic 40s design around proven GM mechanicals. During its rejuvenation, the truck's expressive body panels were stripped, massaged into a super straight canvas, and bathed in a vivid coat of bright red urethane. When that smooth red basecoat dried, a protective clearcoat shell was carefully applied and meticulously buffed to an impressive shine. And today, the truck sits as a slick utilitarian showpiece which is guaranteed to grab attention from the drive in to the local cruise night!

One of the many great things about the Advance Design trucks is their simple but functional detailing. Not decorated to the hilt like most 40s and 50s cars, theses blue collar runabouts illustrate how good design looks fresh even 60 years after it was first introduced. At the front of the truck a domed hood hangs a detailed Chevrolet crest above chrome-trimmed headlights, small square parking lights, a simple chrome bumper and a white, chrome-trimmed grille. At the top of the truck a classic, divided windshield and like-new greenhouse glass align behind vertical stainless trim and bright stainless wipers. At the sides of the truck, simple “CHEVROLET 3100” scripts, streamlined door hardware, small cabin vents and a chrome fuel filler ride above glossy black running boards. And at the back of the truck, an embossed Chevrolet tailgate hides a restored wood bed behind carefully sleeved chains, Stopray Stimsonite tail lights, and a second chrome bumper.

Equipped with a 216 cubic inch era-correct Thriftmaster six cylinder, this tough 3100 was built for a long life of hauling. Naturally the truck isn't race car quick right out of the box, but with good driving techniques and a little bit of coaxing, it can certainly be a lot of fun! Carefully lift the long hood and you'll find a familiar army green block that's branded with a date-correct 839770 casting number and detailed with a roster of correct components. At the top of that tried and true workhorse, a rebuilt Rochester single throat downdraft carburetor bridges the gap between a vintage AC oil bath air cleaner and new stainless fuel lines. At the base of that carburetor, a cast gray intake manifold bolts between a traditional stamped steel valve cover and a fully restored exhaust manifold. Opposite those manifolds, a new coil jolts a fresh set of High Temperature plug wires via a familiar points distributor. At the front of those wires, a glossy radiator circulates water past a correct fan through pliable hoses and modern screw clamps. At the base of that radiator, a freshly rebuilt generator keeps the 6V charge strong and the hot fires lit. And behind that generator, an AC canister-style oil filter provides bright detail and clean lubrication. Nicely finished, the sturdy mill looks great inside its big engine bay, which was originally designed to make service easy. And the truck's soft satin black fenders and body-matched firewall combine with an old school horn, silver hood hardware and a familiar yellow “Thriftmaster” decal to dispense of the typical flooded out appearance that's all too prevalent under the hoods of over-restored show queens.

Crawling underneath this old school bowtie reveals a clean frame and straight floorpans that have been coated in a nice layer of chassis black paint. Power is put to the ground through a traditional 3-speed transmission that's tied to a driver friendly rear end. Correct leaf springs and drum brakes occupy all for corners of this chassis mixing rugged road prowess with firm and solid stops. A single-pipe exhaust system, which is wired to a large muffler, runs the whole length of the truck and terminates in a subtle turndown that hangs just below the rear bumper. And everything rolls on a set of familiar steel wheels that turn G78-15 Coker Classic wide whitewalls around red paint, chrome trim rings and smooth chrome hubcaps. Overall, the underside of this 3100 is simple but purposeful. And that's really the beauty of General Motor's Advance Design pickup trucks; they're easy, clean builds that still possess the unmatched charm and beauty of golden era Detroit steel.

Slide inside this Chevy's fully restored interior and step back into the simplistic and purposeful culture of the late 1940s. The vibrant red from the truck's body is snuffed out in favor of textured gray paint that spreads from the dash to the doors, roof and wonderfully nostalgic factory steering wheel. A wide and supportive vinyl bench combines with a small black headliner and small black door panels to add a bit of luxury to an otherwise utilitarian design. Speaking of utility, the rubber mat on the floor promises to be easy to live with and even easier to clean up. And, of course, nothing from this pickup's era could escape the popularity of chrome; so you'll find bright chrome gauges above the original, column-mounted shifter, traditional chrome décor that spans the entire dash and prerequisite chrome door and window handles. Well done, appearing factory correct and absent all the technological doodads that seem to proliferate today's showroom-fresh metal, this interior is definitely the kind of place to spend a nice Friday afternoon enjoying what matters most: the journey.

If you're looking for a unique classic that mixes a professional restoration with unmatched style and unparalleled fun, this Chevrolet truck deserves your full attention. It plays to nostalgia and Americana that everyone can appreciate, it's spectacular from every angle and it's a highly drivable piece that actually FEELS like vintage hardware. Whether you're racking up trophies at shows or just spending a Saturday night on the town, it's guaranteed to be the center of attention wherever you go!