Vehicle Description
1949 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
There's just something about old school pickups that's universally
appealing. To us, they're clean, straightforward work vehicles
which have morphed into wildly popular classics. And it seems many
enthusiasts agree, as trucks like this original Chevy are some of
our hottest sellers...because they are trucks! From a time when men
were men and pickups were worked hard.
For consignment and your enjoyment, a mechanically
restoredChevrolet pickup right out of 1949. Retaining most of its
original styling but in dire need of body work/panel replacement.
An engine upgrade alongwith a 12 volt conversion has been taken
care of and helps make this hauler a snappy performer. Formerly
owned by our consignor's nephew and passed to our consignor, when 3
years post marriage the nephew and his bride were ready to shop for
a house. With a new radiator, water pump, thermostat, fuel tank and
sender as well as a front disc brake conversion, you can rest
assured the mechanicals are top notch. An Advanced Design from
Chevrolet, was billed as stronger, larger and sleeker, and the
first redesign since WW2. This truck is a short wheelbase 1/2 ton
3100.
Exterior
This trucks exterior has been bathed in an amateur red respray with
a dose of inclusions and some orange peel. The gaps are slightly
below average and heavily invasive surface rust is showing on the
rear of the cab, the cowling, bed sides, and fenders. Leading the
way is a gently curved front grille, in 5 horizontal bar form, and
a body matching red bumper below. A rounded hood has flanking front
rounded over fenders with a single round headlight on each corner.
On the front of the hood is the original cloisonne C H E V R O L E
T and 3100 badge in chrome. Curvaceous rounded fenders for the
front and rear framestaggered width modern radials that wrap
15-inch American Racing Chrome Nugget wheels. On the sides are the
doors, with the passenger side being heavily rusted at the bottom
and needing a full replacement. A running board is below and
connects the rounded fenders also giving access to the bed via the
steel sides that are rounded over on their tops. Fronting the
rounded over cab, is a split windscreen and in back a large
elongated oval rear glass looking on to the bed. The bed is lined
with a sheet of plywood over top of a few wood planks. Bringing us
to the back of the truck is another red curved chrome bumper with a
single round tail light on either side, just under the
tailgate.
Interior
A swing of the doors reveals panels retain their original
utilitarian look, but finished very nicely in a black melamine
panel screwed to the doors inside. Below some embossedred steel to
complete the lowers of the doors. Nice handles and actuators are
within this field. Inside, a like new full bench stretches between
these door panels and presents in smooth black vinyl. This bench
floats atop the black painted steel floor. The dash is all original
looking semi-restored with its full metal jacket painted red and
has two large circular gauges, one a speedo the other a cluster of
fuel, water temp, battery volts and oil pressure gauges. A few
chromed knobs pepper this dash front and in the center is a
wonderful horizontal ribbed chromed radio speaker covering although
there is no radio to fire the speaker up. This horizontal ribbing
continues to cover the passenger glove box and shines brightly in
red. Below the dash is a factory heater box but we note the heater
core has been bypassed. Fronting the dash is an original steering
wheel which has a purely 1940's design and slightly patinaed. The
headliner is black melamine panels, as is the single sun visor.
Drivetrain
A lift of the bulbous red hood, and we are greeted with visual
mechanical bliss all wrapped up inside a patina riddled engine bay.
Yes folks, we have a light blue painted block direct from GM that
specs out as 235ci inline 6 cylinder format and is topped with a
1-barrel carburetor with no air cleaner covering. We note a new
radiator, water pump, and consignor stated thermostat installed. On
the back is a 3 speed manual transmission unknown to be original or
not. The rear axle is a 4.11 variety. A true worker bee here.
Undercarriage
All metal surfaces remain solid and intact, these include the
frame, flooring and body supports. Some road dirt, patina and
surface rust is washing over most of the underside but again,
things are solid with the exception of the repaired cab corners and
front splash apron. A newer stock style single exhaust is on as is
a new fuel tank with a new sending unit, (although these are
located behind the bench seat). A few of the bed boards are visible
underneath holding up the plywood insert and this truck rides on
leaf springs all around. I also noticed an upgrade to front disc
brakes and in the back the factory rear drums have been
retained.
Drive-Ability
The engine came to life immediately, and on the test track it ran
wonderfully. No spurts or sputters, just pure power and smooth
shifting and running. It definitely can run to speed on the
highway. Braking is excellent and all functions are working save
for the earlier mentioned bypassed heater core.
In much need of a serious cosmetic restoration on the body, but
once done you will have a classic great running truck with a smooth
engine, great suspension and solid underpinnings, and a nice
interior, albeit looking the utilitarian but nicely done part. Put
your business logo on the doors and start impressing potential
clients.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
