Page Last Updated 05 June 2005
I have owned my '48 for 10 years. It is a 3100 5-window Deluxe that I took from a barely-running rebuilder to a fully restored Sunday driver and show truck. It came out better than I hoped. It is stock in appearance, but mechanically updated for driveability and safety. It has a rebuilt '54 235 engine bored .060 over, a mid-sixties 3-speed OD transmission, and '59 open drive rear with 3.90 gears. The suspension, steering, and brakes are fully rebuilt and a dual master cylinder installed. I like to show my truck but enjoy driving it even more. It gets a lot of second looks and thumbs up when I take it out.
Mike Klepp
Oakwood, Illinois
The pic on the left was taken in Nevada. The pic on the right was taken in front of a beautiful old railroad depot.
The truck is a 1949 Chevy 3100 that was built in Oakland, Ca. and has been in continual commercial service since then; it has the original Muncie SM420 tranny and Torque Tube with a 1957 235 engine in it with solid lifters and Rochest series 'B' carby, 12 volts via the DPO's installation of a Delcotron alternator. The tires are from Diamondback and are Dayton LT215R16. It is unrestored and has been apart more often than Madonna's knees. It's a good "20 footer" and will take me anywhere in comfort & style plus it still tows cars and hauls auto parts & scrap.
Nate
This 1954 Chevrolet 3100 is a rolling "work in progress" with 89k original miles. The engine and transmission leak but it is in otherwise good mechanical condition. Lots of little things would need to be done to get it to show condition, so for now I think I will drive and enjoy the truck as it is-it still gets lots of compliments. I have ordered interior and body parts from Carters and Chevy Duty-no complaints from either-but I generally check local auto part suppliers for mechanical items.
Chip Armstrong
Mechanicsville, VA
I didn't start out to do a frame-up, but sometimes the deeper you dig, the more rust you find; in fact, the frame on one side was rusted in half right behind the cab. It looked like somoene had seen it and halfway tried to strengthen it with some angle iron and damaged wasn't rusted and sold it. Ol' Jeff down at Bowtie Bits had a 3100 frame in real good shape for a fair price. This truck is a 1952 3100. You ain't kidding about the gloss black being a hard paint to get right, and these pics don't show how many imperfections there really are between the soda blast leftovers contaminating little areas (I will never recommend) after pressure washing it 3 times to get rid of the soda residue. I only used soda on the cab; all the rest I sandblasted, and it all came out great (for a first-timer!) It is gonna be my daily driver, not a show truck, but it already looks better than any truck I've ever had, and it is rust free. I feel like I am preserving a little part of history. I'm sure proud of it, and looking forward to my next one. It is sitting out here patiently waiting on me; it's a '51 3/4-ton flatbed. I sure do thank you, and I took photos of every step of the way if you ever need any, because I sure rely on your website. Thanks.
John Cowdin
Wichita, KS
I purchased this 1950 Chevy 3100 Deluxe truck from the son of the original owner in Dallas in August of 2003. I've been working on it off and on since then. It was in pretty fair shape when I bought it, as the old gentleman that owned it took nice care of it and even started a restoration project in 1991. My ultimate goal is to have a truck somewhere in between a trailer queen and an everyday driver. I'd like to take it to some shows, but I also want to get out and drive it. I am having the body work and paint done at a shop in Burkburnett, TX. I also had a 1954 235 built at Yesterday's Chevy Trucks in Waco. I've done most of the grunt work myself, I.E. cleaning, sanding and finishing the frame, etc. I pretty much have everything back from the painters except the cab and the doors. Once these are finished, I'll start to reassemble the entire truck. The picture I've included shows the rebuilt engine. Once the entire truck is back together, I'll send another pic.
Ken Cluley
Wichita Falls, TX
This is a 1948 3/4-Ton (3604). Inside is a 350 V8 with a 12-volt electrical system. I purchased this truck in North Platte, Nebraska in 2002. This truck is my year-round daily driver.
Robert "Koldei" Brown
Chicago, IL
This is Grandpa's 1941 Chevy 3/4-Ton farm truck from Hesston, KS. The interesting feature is the pto-driven grain blower mounted below the frame behind the driver's door.
Lowell Tieszen
Durham, NC
"Nellie" is a 1949 GMC FC101 (1/2 ton). It now sports a '56 235 with split manifold dual exhaust. "Modern" '72 Chevelle rear end and front disk brakes. OTherwise a pretty stock ride and fun weekend driver. California "born and raised", no rust, no need for wipers!
Dave Cragg
Palo Alto, CA
This is another picture of Nellie. See above.
This truck, named Red Chief, is a 1947 Chevy 1/2-Ton Deluxe 5-Window Cab.
Tom Caperton
Whiteville, NC
