Vehicle Description
1955 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
Some changed style points of the 1955 went to the first wrap-around
windshield in trucks, (called "Sweep-Sight"), the egg-crate grille
styling shared with '55 Chevy passenger cars, running boards
concealed behind the cab doors, as well as a choice of small or
expansive wrap-around rear glass.
For consignment, a beautiful and not often seen restomod build
blending the timeless looks of a 1955 Chevrolet 3100 pickup with
70's Camaro front suspension and a C7 Corvette inspired interior,
all in step side form. During the build it had put in a 350ci V8
engine, and a 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The
consignor has performed many upgrading tasks during the build as
well, so read on for this wonderful example ripe for the picking
here at Classic Auto Mall.
Exterior
The first hint of something different in this year is the "sweep
sight" wrap around front glass but this truck was not optioned with
the larger and more expensive wrap around rear glass, leaving 2
very large B-pillars behind the driver and passenger. A side view
shows the swept front design, right down to the side glass and
upper framing of the door. This is also true for the front of the
truck. In front we have a single headlight with a large "visor"
overhang formed by the front fenders. These round topped quarters
are bordered by a hood that starts at their height, then rises up
gracefully to new heights with a center bulbous portion that starts
at the front and moves rearward. All badging has been shaved from
the hood creating a very clean look up front. A large opening egg
crate grille is being used and a lower front bumper, where we see
both in excellent condition. More trim shaving has been performed
on the laser straight semi pontoon sides with all the gaps being
well minded, and the 1970-72 Chevy truck mirror attachments with
added directional arrow flashers are all in nice shiny polished
condition. Sebring Silver, which is nothing short of an excellent
application, covers the entire body of the truck and on the back
the tailgate has been fully customized with 4 rows of louvers which
continue down to the custom rear roll pan. Moving rearward we find
the step in the step side moniker which butts up to the rear fender
that could be referred to as a pontoon fender as it does have the
round shape and sticks out from the rolled top steel bed sides. In
the bed are nicely dark Wood Song II stained oak boards with shiny
mounting strips. Inside is painted perfectly in the silver as is
the inside of the tailgate and the added wheel tubs. Oh, and lest I
forget, the 20-inch multi-spoke DIP wheels are wrapped in low
profile 255/30R20 rubber.
Interior
As we swing the doors on this light and airy cab, (due to the wrap
around glass in front), we see blown away with the C7 inspired
Adrenaline Red and black covered and modernized interior. Black and
Adrenaline Red leather vie for space with carpeting down low and
sweeping multidimensional outcroppings of the modified Corvette
panels that hold the power window switches and the electric door
actuators. Inside a pair of Corvette heated bucket seats are
drenched in like new Adrenaline Red leather and sit in black frames
with both seats being power actuated. The smooth bolsters
accentuate the tuck and roll inserts and use red stitching for a
little extra dress up. A sweeping red leather topped console races
between the seats and kicks up to meet the red padded dash. Within
this console is the C7 Corvette automatic shifter, seat heater
controls, and the Alpine AM/FM/XM stereo with Navigation with Focal
Access speakers and a Mosconi amplifier. Up front on the red padded
custom front dash with Dakota Digital gauges have been put in
during the build. These mimic the originals now with modern LCD
blue displays. The dash front itself is custom, as the entire face
from the steering column to the glovebox was cut out and a single
steel piece was installed. The entire dash front has been covered
in seat matching Adrenaline Red leather as has the dash top which
shows off with snappy red stitching. Very clean black carpet is
covering the floors and a red Alcantara headliner hangs proudly
above. Wrapping the back of the cab is....you guessed it,
Adrenaline Red vinyl and everything inside is near perfect.
Drivetrain
Under this fully restored hood, and within a fully restored nice
silver and black engine bay is now an orange/red GM painted block
350ci V8 circa 1978. Orange valve coverings and a nifty silver
batwing style air cleaner covering now tops the 4-barrel
carburetor. An aluminum radiator is seen, and on the back is a
200R4 4-speed automatic with overdrive. The rear axle is of the BOP
10-bolt variety and is equipped with 2.56 gears and Positraction.
All is near showroom for this engine bay with tucked and hidden
wiring and a filled and partially smoothed firewall.
Undercarriage
A solid black painted rust-free frame and suspension shows the
Raptor lined bed underneath at the back of the truck. Solid bed
hangers and fenders undersides are showing in more black and the
flooring is rust and mar free. A 70's Camaro subframe was grafted
into the front of the original 1955 truck frame so we now have the
added benefit of an independent coil spring front suspension
equipped with new Delco shocks with power disc brakes and in the
rear we see traditional leaf springs and power drums. Dual exhaust
weaves it way down from the engine and attached to a pair of Turbo
style mufflers before taking a hard turn and exiting with large
chrome rectangle tips in front of the rear wheels.
Drive-Ability
Starts right up, runs wonderfully smooth, and shifts like a dream.
No creaks or grumbles from that chassis or bed, and the view from
the panoramic front glass cab is nearly unobstructed. All functions
were working during the test drive. With all the amenities of a
modern car added to this interior you could almost forget you were
driving a 1955 model and easily mistake it for a 2022.
A full on frame off restoration done to a very high standard in
this meticulous restoration. The use of a beautiful color
combination and all being perfect with the interior, we have a
yield on a beautiful build and certainly a show award winner right
out of the door.
VIN DECODE
H255L01425
H-3100 Series
2-2nd Series
55-1955
L-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
01425-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
