- Seller: Andy A
- Location: Branford, Connecticut
- Mileage: 19,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 21JPL1665
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: Corvette TPI 350 V8
- Transmission: 700R4 Automatic
As cool as classic trucks are, driving a 77-year-old truck in modern traffic isn’t always the best idea. They tend to be rather slow, and modern drivers aren’t necessarily looking for the small tail lights found on many vintage vehicles. That shouldn’t be much of a concern with this 1948 Chevrolet 3100 short bed, though, as it has a more modern drivetrain, ice cold A/C, and it even has a third brake light so distracted drivers won’t run into you! This custom truck has all the features you want in a daily driver and is ready to hit the street. It’s being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction and is located in Branford, Connecticut.
This is one serious truck! Not only was the engine upgraded, but it also received a Chevy S-10 front end. This means you have an improved suspension, brakes, and power steering, all pluses if you plan to daily drive it or take it on the highway. The interior has also been improved, but we will touch on that shortly. And while the paint and spoiler (which houses the third brake light) make the exterior look custom, the body is unmodified. The seller states that it’s all steel and doesn’t show any signs of having patch panels or body filler.
While the original interior is fine, you can’t complain about having a collapsible steering column with tilt or bucket seats. The original steel dash was retained during the build but has been equipped with some aluminum components and additional gauges. It looks nicely done, although we would try to find something to cover the exposed wiring on the steering column. The center console houses a stereo and the controls for the air conditioning system. Having A/C is a huge plus if you plan on driving it much. The only area the seller notes as needing attention is the headliner.
A Chevrolet 350 V8 provides power with Tuned Port Injection, aluminum heads with roller rockers, headers, and a Flowmaster exhaust system. Power is routed through a 700R-4 automatic transmission and a 10-bolt Positraction rear end with highway gears. The engine is said to run well, and the truck goes down the road nicely. The seller has a folder full of receipts detailing the work that’s been done, as well as the original owner’s manual.
If you’ve been hunting for a classic truck that you can drive anywhere, this might be the truck for you! Someone put a huge amount of time into building this into a good driver, but now it needs someone to enjoy it. The seller has a new spare tire/wheel for it with the bracket to mount it. Also, they just had the rims repainted silver and installed a set of small moon caps on them, so some of the exterior photos are of it before that was done. So, will you be hitting the road in this short-bed Chevy?
Bid On This Auction
Robert/Renae’ bid $7,000.00 2025-05-14 08:56:00
Senap bid $6,750.00 2025-05-13 19:49:31
Johnny bid $6,500.00 2025-05-12 16:17:35
Steve bid $6,250.00 2025-05-12 15:34:14- Johnny bid $6,000.00 2025-05-12 13:13:24
- Steve bid $5,250.00 2025-05-11 11:08:48
- Johnny bid $5,000.00 2025-05-08 14:04:03
Mike & Sammie Shield bid $3,200.00 2025-05-08 13:26:01- Johnny bid $1,000.00 2025-05-08 11:04:18
Nice truck and one you can actually drive anywhere you want to go. Only thing l’d do to this beauty is put a reconditioned front bumper on it. One showed looks like it was painted with rattle can paint.
I’d bet those ’40s taillights are aftermarket LED units. We use LED units in our stock taillights on our race cars and there is no mistaking when I’m on the brakes.
It has newer doors or is not a ’48. None of the ’48s had vent windows. Also, as I’ve said before, a well maintained six will run 60mph all day long. I drove a stock ’51 Chevy truck coast to coast on the interstates and on many other multiple day trips, eg. Vermont to Madison, WI round trip, and never was hassled for driving too slow. But I did get lots of smiles!
I have a 52 3100 thats bone stock. Honestly its not something I would drive coast to coast but it cruises along very nicely and has no trouble getting up to speed. Its a fun piece of history to drive.
Again without bumpers. A simple tap in a parking lot that may leave a tiny mark on a bumper would do major body damage on this truck.
The seller has the bumpers and mounting hardware. Several of the photos show the truck with the bumpers installed.
Make that “bumper” as only the front one is on the truck.
Very sweet build! I certainly see where Chevy got the inspiration for the SSR. My 2005 SSR has the LS2 but the “Redline Red” paint on mine is very close to this. ( Torch Red in Corvettes) Beautiful truck!
Like my friend Randy who owns an auto parts store in 7-points, Texas would say; “COOL BEANS DUDE”. This is a nice truck, but I just don’t get the 350 thing, if I’m going to put a V8 in an old truck it’s going to be a big block.
God Bless America
Would show well with my SSR.