1946 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
The Chevrolet 3100 Pickup truck was a light duty truck sold under the Chevrolet brand, with production beginning in 1941 until 1947. It used the GM A platform, shared with the Chevrolet Deluxe. The Chevrolet 3100 Pickup was also branded and sold at GMC locations, with the primary visual difference being the Chevrolet had vertical bars in the grille, while the GMC had horizontal bars. The 1941-45 GMC models were sold as C-Series and became the E-Series for the 1946 and 1947 model years (CC-Series / EC-Series for the conventional cab models and CF-Series / EF-Series for the COE ones).
With marine green cab, hood and bed sides and contrasting black fenders, running boards and large headlights, fronted by a fascinating nickel plated chrome horizontal and vertical bar integrated grille, this truck drips with 1940’s design. Chrome and trim are all beautiful and nearly better than new from the factory. Wheels are adorned with Chevrolet logo moon style polished chrome hubcaps, and black sidewall tires. A newly installed wonderfully stained oak wood bed is noted and none of it has a mark on it. A shiny chrome rear bumper, also nickel plated, provides the backdrop for the rear of this hauler. Hanging proudly above is an embossed Chevrolet tailgate and to either side we see small taillights sitting on top of black stalks.
Body matching marine green metal sprays the metal door panels, and dash. Surrounded by highly polished chrome, a white background rectangular form houses the simple green numbered gauge cluster in front of the huge black steering wheel. A few coffee colored bakelite knobs are seen within the dash. Providing room for 3 is an upgraded tuck and roll brown vinyl seat. A black cardboard headliner, and sprayed green panels make up the interior roof and rear wall of the cab. Utilitarian rubber in black covers the floors.
Opening either side of the center hinged hood, we can see a perfectly restored in green 216ci inline 6-cylinder popper with a 1-barrel carburetor lurking under an oil bath air cleaner. A 3-speed manual transmission is attached to the rear of the I6 and a rear axle weighing in with a 3.54 ratio carries this Interim Series down the road.
A vintage beautifully designed pickup, in close to Concours condition, near perfect paint, an overall great restoration, has literally made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. “With a cluck cluck here and a moo moo there” I’ll see you at the country club! It is now ready for “pickup” at the Classic Auto Mall.
