BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED A.D. 3100, 216 I6, 3-ON-THE-TREE, 12-VOLT UPGRADE, R134 AC

This beautifully restored 1951 Chevrolet 3100 pickup truck represents the best of the Advance Design, and judging by the market, these trucks are becoming increasingly popular. There was a time when any farm had one of these rusting away behind a barn or still working out in the fields, but today, they are highly sought collector's items. Hailing from a dry climate, this very solid pickup features a very correct restoration with some smart upgrades that make it a fine piece that you can show and drive with confidence.Refinished in what I would certainly call Fathom Green, this truck looks highly authentic sitting on the blackwall tires with painted steel wheels and hubcaps. The Advance Design trucks debuted in 1948, the first post-war trucks to hit the market, and they were a huge success. The bodywork on this one has been well executed with good panel fit and alignment, and signs that a considerable amount of time was spent getting everything straight before the paint was sprayed. The finish is appropriate and looks great on this vintage hauler. The bed has been refinished with fresh oak planks and stainless steel strips and looks absolutely gorgeous. Up front, there's a painted grille, which was standard equipment on the 3100, and the chrome bumpers were options that were available from the dealer. A single tail lamp was also standard equipment, but this one sports a proper pair for highway safety in today's driving environment.Utilitarian is the best way to describe the interior of the 3100. As I said, these were tools, not daily drivers, so while they are comfortable, they're also spartan, which is part of their charm. The brown bench seat sports a recent seat cover, the door panels are simple vinyl inserts, and the headliner is just basic fabric stretched over the steel body skin. The dash, however, is very similar to those in Chevy cars of the period, and there's a complete array of gauges keeping an eye on the Stovebolt under the hood. Painted a contrasting tan, the interior panels brighten the inside of the truck, and the chrome brightwork on the dash and glove box door really helps it feel more upscale. And yes, that's correct, this one sports a well-integrated Vintage Air A/C system and turn signals, making it a truck you can happily use every day.If you do choose to use it daily, however, you'll have to content yourself with a leisurely pace. The 216 cubic inch inline-six under the hood is as tough and reliable as an anvil, but these trucks were never built for speed. The engine itself has been rebuilt, and bathed in the correct shade of gray with a minimum of ornamentation. The single barrel carburetor is topped by a compact oil bath air cleaner, and exhaust is handled by a single tailpipe that gives the truck its distinctive sound. Upgrades include the aforementioned A/C system as well as an alternator and an electric fan to keep it cool. The transmission is a 3-speed manual that shifts with your fingertips. It rides on the original suspension, although it has been upgraded with tubular shocks front and rear to help smooth out the ride. As I mentioned earlier, the wheels are steel and wear modern 235/75/15 blackwall radials that still look very authentic.You almost want to paint a logo on the doors and head into town to do some business when you own a truck like this. With a host of smart upgrades, it's far less crude than it was sixty years ago, something you'll appreciate every time you climb behind the wheel. Two years from now, this price will probably seem like a bargain. Call now!