1948 Chevrolet 3100 in Lithia Springs, Georgia

Vehicle Description

Customs are at their best when the lines get a little blurry. Take this 1948 Chevrolet 3100 pickup for instance. At first glance, it's easy to see what it is. But when you look a little longer, it becomes something unique, from the shaved hood and body-color grille to the late-model bed seamlessly grafted onto the original chassis. It's not nearly as stock as it looks.

Where to start with something that's been this extensively tweaked, modified, and smoothed? Well, the front end has been expertly formed, keeping the original elements of the grille and hood, but cleaning them up a bit. You can still tell what it is, of course, but a lot of the chrome and trim, including the hood ornament and emblems, has been shaved. Perhaps the most significant modification is the late-model pickup bed, which has been extensively modified to not only fit on the early truck's chassis, but also to accommodate a set of early Chevy truck fenders to complete the look. It's a bit longer than stock (the fenders and running boards were stretched), a little lower (it's been channeled a few inches), but most of that is invisible until you have a stock one parked next to it. The turquoise metallic paint looks great on the vintage truck's curvy sheetmetal, although it's showing a age and use, which is certainly easy to understand at this price point. A custom rear roll pan, a smooth tailgate, and a hard shell tonneau cover make the bed functional as well as stylish.

A late-model split bench was reworked then wrapped in two-tone tweed seat covers that are durable as well as comfortable. A 1980s Chevy C10 donated its instrument panel to the build and the way it fits in the old truck makes you think it was born there and even the steering wheel is a GM piece. A factory speedometer and gauges fit in the original holes exactly, and with a GM tilt column, it's easy to get comfortable behind the wheel. An aftermarket A/C system keeps temperatures reasonable inside, and entertainment comes from an AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit that's been nicely integrated into the dash in the original location. Full cloth door panels help control noise and heat, and there's now carpeting on the floors for the same reason.

The coolest thing is that under the skin, this thing rides and drives like a late-model pickup. The smooth-running 350 cubic inch V8 makes nice torque and even nicer noises, and it's the kind of powerplant you want in your pickup. It's a smart choice for the old pickup, and the engine obviously fits without any issues, accessories and all. A big radiator keeps it cool, and a few chrome bits make it pleasing to look at. It's backed by a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission and a 10-bolt rear end, so you know you won't have any problems there. The lowered stance looks right but doesn't compromise the way it rides and handles, which is quite modern in execution, with a modern independent front suspension, disc brakes, and power steering. Long-tube headers dump into a custom dual exhaust system that sounds great without being overbearing and you'll note that rust is really not a problem here. Classic American Racing mags with staggered white-letter radials give it exactly the right stance.

Ready to cruise, this cool truck is pretty nice the way it sits and with some TLC could be something truly amazing. Call today!