1950 Chevrolet 3100 5-Window Restomod - LS V8 | 4L60E | Wilwood
6-Piston Brakes | $250K Build
Highlights
1950 Chevrolet 3100 5-Window
Professionally built full custom restomod
Build stated to have exceeded $250,000
Previously sold at Mecum Auctions for $143,000; bill of sale
accompanies the truck
GM LS-series V8 engine
4L60E 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission
TCI Mustang II independent front suspension
Power rack-and-pinion steering
Ford 8.8-inch rear axle
3.73 rear gearing
Wilwood 6-piston front disc brakes
Cross-drilled brake rotors
Vintage Air air conditioning
American Autowire wiring harness
Tanks Inc. fuel tank
Raingear electric windshield wipers
Ididit tilt steering column
LeCarra wood-rim steering wheel
Dolphin instrumentation
Custom RetroSound stereo system
JBL speakers
Custom leather interior reportedly representing approximately
$30,000 of the build
PPG basecoat/clearcoat paint
Full-body clear protective wrap
New glass
Gloss-black 20-inch Chevrolet wheels
245/40R20 tires shown in photos
Custom wood-look bed floor with American eagle/flag artwork
Dual exhaust
Approximately two years invested in the build
This 1950 Chevrolet 3100 5-Window is far removed from a stock
Advance-Design pickup. Built as a comprehensive restomod, the truck
combines the unmistakable lines of Chevrolet's early postwar pickup
with modern V8 power, overdrive, independent front suspension,
power steering, upgraded brakes, air conditioning and a fully
customized interior.
According to the documentation accompanying the truck, the
professional build represented more than $250,000 and approximately
two years of work. The same documentation states that the truck
previously sold through Mecum Auctions for $143,000, with the
corresponding bill of sale included.
Engine & Drivetrain
Under the hood is a GM LS-series V8, paired with a 4L60E automatic
overdrive transmission. The combination provides the dependability
and drivability expected from a modern GM powertrain while keeping
the truck Chevrolet-powered.
Out back is a Ford 8.8-inch rear axle with 3.73 gearing. The
undercarriage photographs show a clean, thoughtfully assembled
drivetrain installation along with a dual exhaust system.
Suspension, Steering & Brakes
The original-style front suspension has been replaced with a TCI
Mustang II independent front suspension, incorporating power
rack-and-pinion steering. This is one of the major upgrades that
separates a properly engineered restomod from a cosmetically
updated vintage pickup.
Stopping power is equally substantial. The truck is fitted with
Wilwood six-piston disc brakes, visible behind the black wheels
with bright red calipers and cross-drilled rotors.
Exterior
The body is finished in a subtle sage/olive green that complements
the rounded lines of the 1950 Chevrolet exceptionally well.
According to the build information, the body was finished in PPG
basecoat/clearcoat paint and subsequently protected with a
full-body clear wrap.
The exterior retains the important classic styling cues,
including:
- Five-window cab
- Chrome horizontal-bar Chevrolet grille
- Chrome front bumper
- Hood center trim and Chevrolet emblem
- Chevrolet 3100 side badging
- Dual exterior mirrors
- Traditional running boards
- Chrome windshield and window trim
- Modernized headlights
The stance is considerably more contemporary, with the body sitting
low over gloss-black 20-inch Chevrolet wheels. The tire photographs
show 245/40R20 rubber.
Custom Bed
One of the most distinctive areas of the build is the bed. Rather
than a conventional painted or plain wood floor, it features a
custom wood-look design incorporating an American bald eagle and
flowing American flag artwork. Polished bed strips divide the
individual sections and give the rear of the truck a genuine
show-quality presentation.
Interior
The cabin received the same level of attention as the exterior. The
documentation describes the interior as a roughly $30,000 full
custom leather installation.
Brown and tan leather cover the sculpted seating, door panels and
much of the cabin, while a suede-style tan headliner and overhead
trim complete the upscale appearance. The door panels are fully
custom fabricated with integrated speakers, contrasting inserts and
polished trim.
Driver controls include an Ididit tilt steering column, LeCarra
wood-rim steering wheel, and white-face Dolphin gauges. The
column-mounted automatic shifter retains the classic appearance
while operating the modern 4L60E drivetrain.
Comfort and convenience equipment includes Vintage Air air
conditioning, Raingear electric wipers, and a modern electrical
system built around an American Autowire harness.
Audio & Electrical
The sound system is centered around a RetroSound head unit with JBL
speakers, integrated into the cabin without disrupting the vintage
dashboard design. The truck also uses a Tanks Inc. fuel tank,
further illustrating how extensively the supporting systems were
upgraded during the build.
Chassis & Undercarriage
The underside confirms this was more than a cosmetic restoration.
Visible components include the TCI front suspension architecture,
power rack-and-pinion steering, Ford rear axle, rear leaf springs,
upgraded shocks, dual exhaust and extensively refinished chassis
components. The floors and underside present cleanly and show the
scope of the restoration.
This 1950 Chevrolet 3100 5-Window combines classic Chevrolet
styling with the equipment expected in a high-dollar modern
restomod: LS V8 power, 4L60E overdrive, TCI independent suspension,
power rack-and-pinion steering, Wilwood six-piston brakes, Vintage
Air, custom leather, modern audio and a highly detailed custom bed.
It is a striking build intended to offer the presence of a show
truck without sacrificing the drivability of a much newer
vehicle.
ClassicCars.com has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, successfully making the Inc. 5000 list in both 2015,
2016, 2017 and 2018. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for
buying and selling classic and collector vehicles.
The Stevie Awards, the world's premier business awards recognized
ClassicCars.com's first-class Customer Support team with a Stevie Bronze Award in 2019, celebrating the team's skills as exemplary customer support specialists.
In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance.