1951 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
Pickup trucks are the hot ticket. It seems like every Chevy pickup from the ’40s through ’80s is being swept up at a rapid pace. With a ton of aftermarket support, early Chevrolets are among the easiest to modify to accept different chassis, making them ride better than the original version. Every generation, from Boomers to Millenials, recognizes the versatility of a pickup.
This 1951 Chevy 3100 is a terrific example of what makes them so popular, starting with the chassis. This one is well executed and sports a front clip grafted from a later-model Camaro to provide power steering and coilover suspension upfront. No longer does a ’50s pickup have to handle like a dump truck!
The bodywork and virtually flawless new bare-metal repaint in red on this build are superb. Looking at the doors and hood, an astute enthusiast will notice they line up better than most did from the factory. Additionally, to show the level of bodywork detail. Someone expertly laid the paint on this truck, which is not always easy to say with all the old trucks’ angles and crevices.
The 235ci inline-six sends power to the rear wheels through a column-shifted three-speed manual transmission, both of which are said to have been rebuilt during the refurbishment. An aluminum radiator has been added, and the carburetor is topped by an oil-bath air cleaner.
Black-painted 16” steel wheels wear chrome trim rings and Chevrolet-branded hubcaps and are mounted with 215/85 Firestone Transforce HT tires. Braking is through drums at all four corners.
The cabin houses a bench seat that has been reupholstered in black vinyl and fabric, and matching carpets line the floors. Equipment includes a radio delete plate, a heater, electric windshield wipers, and opening vent windows. A three-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of a body-color metal dashboard housing an 80-mph speedometer and a combination gauge.
Exterior features include a wood-lined bed, bow-tie logo plates on the running boards, and chrome bumpers.
This fully sorted Chevy is a wonderful classic to drive, enjoy and haul a couple of your coolest friends in. It’s really no surprise that these trucks are amazingly popular with almost everyone who sees them, because they have such a great combination of style, presence and performance.
