Vehicle Description
Trucks as nice as this 1954 Chevrolet 3100 3-Window aren't going to
be this affordable for much longer, so take a good look, compare
this one to the others on the market, and watch as an old farm
truck turns into a smart investment. Neatly restored without
comprising any originality, this Advance Design Chevy has a lot
going for it, and in this price range, won't last long.
It costs just as much to restore a truck as it does a car, but very
few get the full treatment like this lovely 3100 simply because the
values don't justify it. It's obvious this one was done for love,
because it's quite well done without the usual "upgrades" that take
away from the vintage feel. The bright Patriot Blue paint is just
right, shiny but not flashy, practical and forever stylish, and
just right for the conservative early '50s. Repainted in 2011, it
was done to a great driver standard and is still holding up very
well today, even with a few signs of use here and there. The
Advance Design trucks are some of the best-looking of all old
pickups and this one gets everything right, from the paint-matched
front grille to the beautifully restored chrome bumpers fore and
aft to the big, white CHEVROLET lettering on the tailgate. And
speaking of the tailgate, drop it down and you'll find a wood bed
painted black that has a bit of patina that makes this Chevy
particularly appealing, along with a vintage toolbox painted to
match. Other details include painted running boards, tight weather
seals, and factory-style emblems for just the right period
look.
The interior is basic, no doubt about that, but that's also a big
part of an old pickup truck's charm. The original bench seat is
wrapped in a fresh gray vinyl seat cover that adds a few pleats for
interest. Matching gray door inserts break up the otherwise
all-steel panels that were painted to match the exterior, and
carpet was installed to provide a level comfort as a noise and heat
barrier. The original gauges were swapped in favor of modern
vintage-style digital units that are quite nicely presented with
bright numbers and clear lenses and the dash and steering column
are painted to match the interior. There's no radio, because such
things were still optional in 1954 (and the speakers in the doors
for an aftermarket unit that was uninstalled long ago), although an
aftermarket unit could easily be discreetly installed into the
glove box. Three-on-the-tree shifting feels light and easy to
manage, with a manageable clutch and relatively short gear pattern
to follow. The big steering wheel offers plenty of leverage on the
unassisted steering, so it even feels reasonably nimble in traffic
or, say, the parking lot at the local home center.
Chevy's smooth and utterly reliable "Blue Flame" Thriftmaster six
engine displaces 235 cubic inches and with 140 horses, it's
powerful enough to make it fun to drive without spoiling the
vintage feel. It's quite nicely detailed with turquoise paint on
the engine itself, a bright chrome valve cover, a correct downdraft
Rochester carburetor, and a 12-volt electrical system that makes
the modern ignition system possible. It starts easily with a great
trucky grumble from the single exhaust pipe, and you'll probably
find that it goes about its business with a minimum of fuss. The
chassis got a good cleaning, too, with original equipment
throughout, from the rigid front axle to the 3-speed manual
gearbox, to the 4-wheel drum brakes that are perfectly adequate
given the truck's modest performance. It's really quite solid under
there with no surprises awaiting a new owner and with fresh
Goodyear Wrangler radials on chrome-caped painted steel wheels, it
definitely has an old school look.
You absolutely will not see trucks this nice being this affordable
for very much longer. A great opportunity for a great truck. Call
now!
