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 restored Chevrolet pickup right out of 1949.  Retaining most of its original styling but in dire need of body work/panel replacement.  An engine upgrade along with 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 cloisonné C H E V R O L E T and 3100 badge in chrome.  Curvaceous rounded fenders for the front and rear frame staggered 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 embossed red 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.