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So it turns out that trucks make pretty cool rods, as this 1955 Chevy 3100 so ably demonstrates. All the usual tricks work here, and what you get when you're done is a stylish, fun, and surprisingly practical hauler that will attract attention wherever it goes. First of all, the two-tone copper over white paint is an eyeball magnet, offering a traditional look with a few tweaks to give it a custom look. It's still got plenty of authenticity, don't worry about losing the truck's personality, but the shaved hood ornament and custom pinstriping on the already clean lines of the all-new 3100 really work well. The bodywork, which was already dramatic right out of the box, looks great wearing that soft white paint, which is a little creamy, not a hard, bright white, just as it might have been back in the day. A lot of the original trim is intact, and the grille, bumpers, and hooded headlights are in pretty good shape, highlighting what's arguably the first high-fashion pickup truck; you can see the ties to the passenger car line everywhere you look and that's purely intentional. The bed is still functional, too, with wood planks that are in just the right condition that you won't worry about throwing some tools back there and getting a job done somewhere. After all, isn't that why you own a pickup truck? The interior has been given a full makeover as well, and the working-class accommodations have been replaced by first-class white and copper vinyl. The late-model bench seat looks like a natural fit in the 3100's cab and has been covered with a period-looking pleated upholstery with copper piping, so it all works well together. A custom center console offers a pair of cup holders and holds the Lokar shifter for the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission underneath. Black carpets are the right choice in a truck and keep it from being too soft, and the matching door panels have been as nicely finished as the seat. The stock gauges are still monitoring the engine, along with a white-faced temperature gauge built into the center stack. There is no radio, but it's ready for the entertainment system of your choice, and sometimes starting from scratch is easier than fixing someone else's mess. Finishing it off is a late-model tilt steering column with a rather weathered steering wheel that doesn't quite look right, so that's another place where you could add some value and style without spending much cash. Just as in 1955, there's a small block Chevy 350 V8 under the hood delivering the power. It's functional and pretty stock, save for the Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and intake manifold, so there's smooth power available and it never gets fussy. Some smart upgrades make it reliable and comfortable, including an alternator, power steering, and a modern dual reservoir power brake master cylinder. A big radiator up front keeps things cool. An independent front suspension gives the 3100 improved ride and handling without hurting its ability to work as a truck and it channels power back to a 10-bolt rear end with highway-friendly gears inside. Long-tube headers and a dual exhaust system dumps out just ahead of the rear wheels and sounds fantastic. Color-matched truck Rally wheels are a nice touch and they're wrapped in big 265/70/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials that really fill the fenders nicely. A very cool truck with a lot of performance and charisma for not a lot of cash. Call now!
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