Vehicle Description
Sale priced! All vehicle trades considered, including classics and performance.
Lately there has been a lot of buzz around old trucks. There are plenty out there, but I don't see many like this one. It is a restored 1946 Chevrolet CK 3100, representing the art deco or "Wurlitzer" design that sandwiched WWII. With its distinctive chrome grille and shapely body, it represented a unique truck design that deviated from automobiles for the first time. There was no looking back after this one.
This design was introduced in 1941 as the AK series, just before WWII. Of course, the war halted commercial production until the pickup returned in late 1945 as the interim CK series. This example was built in November 1945, shortly after the war. Note the raw welds on the a-pillars (due to a lack of grinding wheels after the war) along with the painted door handles and parking light covers (plating was not yet available for these parts).
This truck has a very solid frame along with a nice body that has been repainted in Chevrolet red. The magnificent front grille was rechromed while other trim pieces were polished or replaced. The bed was redone with an oak finish that offers a wonderful contrast to the red color. The old flat steel bumpers were replaced with chrome plated tubular steel pieces for a more refined look. The truck also retains its crank-out windshield and cowl vent, both of which work great.
Under the hood is a rebuilt 235 cubic inch straight-6 from a 1954 truck. This looks similar to the original engine but has conventional bearings (rather than babbit) along with a high pressure oiling system, both introduced in 1954. It also has an oil filter along with a solid lifter camshaft that offers such an endearing sound. The 3-speed manual transmission has a tall shifter with Hurst handle. The rear end appears original but has been rebuilt with 3.55 gears, which is not as easy to do with an original closed driveline. Steering and brakes are manual, and the electrical system has been converted to 12V.
The interior is about as basic as it gets. It has been reconditioned starting with the bench seat. The door panels and headliner were also redone, and a new rubber floor installed. The rest of the interior has been painted to match the body. All gauges work properly. The horn, wiper, and parking brake are functional as well. There is also a courtesy light under the dash and a modern steering wheel. Turn signals have been added as well. The truck also includes a stack of receipts from the last twenty years, along with a 1946 owners manual.
This Chevy is truly a trip to the past. Climb in, crank open the windshield, fire up the stovebolt, and listen to the clatter of the lifters. Try not to smile too much as you put it in gear and pull away, while everything around seems to become a bit more simple.
