I will always appreciate a custom build where the owner has tackled to project as a complete package. The longer I look at this 1958 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup, the more small details I spot that make this vehicle something pretty special. After putting in the hard yards to get this classic to its current state, the owner has decided that it is time for someone else to enjoy the cool custom he has created. Located in Davison, Michigan, the owner has listed the Pickup for sale here on eBay. The bidding has reached $35,100, but this figure remains short of the reserve.
Rat rods are a type of build that attracts some enthusiasts more than others. I like them because they almost always involve creative thinking, and no two are ever alike. The owner of this one started with a Pickup that was essentially structurally sound and then worked his magic to create something truly eye-catching. The original paint is weathered, there is surface corrosion, and the panels wear a few minor dings and marks. He has treated the surface corrosion and applied a clearcoat to help retain the Chevy’s distinctive appearance. There seems to be only a few minor spots of penetrating rust that have been treated to halt further progress, and the underside looks beautifully clean. The bed features new timber and stainless joiner strips, but rather than utilizing highly polished timbers, the owner has chosen to fit wood with a weathered finish in keeping with the rest of the exterior’s appearance. The chrome and trim feature the same aged look, but all of the tinted glass is new. I’ve avoided mentioning the elephant in the room to this point, and that is how radically this Pickup has been slammed. That might appear impractical to some, but it is achieved by using a Ridetech air suspension system. At the push of a button, the ride height can be increased to make the Pickup a comfortable cruiser, but dropping it to the current level is guaranteed to turn heads at a show or a Cars & Coffee. The system is pretty sophisticated, and the operator can raise either end of the vehicle independently if desired. Rounding out the exterior, the 3100 rolls on a set of Detroit steel wheels, with 20″ on the front and 22″ on the back.
Lifting the hood reveals a drivetrain with enough power to satisfy most potential owners. What we find occupying this space is a 6.0-liter Vortec small-block V8 that is backed by a 4-speed 4L80-E automatic transmission. Power brakes help to bring the show to a stop safely and effectively. If this V8 is unmodified, it should be producing at least 300hp, although the figure could be a bit higher. The owner supplies this YouTube video of the V8 running, and it sounds tough and clean. The engine bay offers a contrast between the aged steel and the new drivetrain, but it manages to present nicely. Appearances aren’t deceptive in this case because the owner describes the Pickup as being fun to drive.
When we turn our attention to the interior, we discover another area where the owner has successfully retained the original aged appearance of some areas while integrating new features to offer a striking contrast. All of the painted surfaces have received a similar treatment to the exterior, with a coat of clear sealing the old paint and surface corrosion. This is contrasted by a new cover in black vinyl and houndstooth cloth on the seat. The door trims wear matching material, and the condition appears faultless. There is new carpet on the floor, and the wheel also looks fresh. The original gauges have made way for a retro-look Dakota digital dash, while a CD player should provide entertainment on the road. There are a couple of minor details for the buyer to address, but these will take more time than money to fix. It includes items like rewiring the speakers for the CD player because the quality of this work isn’t great. Otherwise, this 3100 looks like it is ready to hit the road for some fun and adventure.
I will guarantee that we will have readers who will look at this 1958 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup, and they’ll like what they see. Creating a custom build like this can be a labor of love. It takes time, patience, and a healthy bank balance to achieve a decent result, but that is what the owner has created with this one. If you like this one, it might be worth a closer look. The owner doesn’t indicate what the reserve is, but he says it has been set lower than the build cost. That has to make it a tempting proposition to the right person. Could that be you?
IMO, this thing looks hideous. As far as the current bid goes, I’m not even going to comment on that! SMH!
Just me , I hate it, same as vehicles jacked too tall. Either way, I think it ruins the vehicle.
Interior is too fresh. Should have thrown some Indian blankets on there.
Sort’a Cheech & Chong.
(Dated and not so relevant)
“Rat rods … almost always involve creative thinking”
And this would be the exception.
Low rider!
On the outside, this truck looks more ‘rat” than “rod”.
Air ride can be adjusted to any height you want, and rides a lot better than the original suspension. The outside…looks more like junk than anything else.
And another one bites the dust.
Cool Custom???? Kind of misleading. He must have some buddies bidding it up. 35k and not met reserve???
His money, his truck. With that being said, he ruined it. One poster said the air ride rode better, maybe, but what most folks nowadays fail to realize, vehicles from back then, especially trucks, weren’t designed so much for comfort like todays, but for hard work. Some of the upgrades in this are good. Like the power bakes. Decent ’58 Chevy trucks are hard to come by. Performance was not a priority on these old trucks. IMHO, it should have been left alone and restored.
IMHO he should of never slammed it but it is his truck and it appears there others with the same taste if the bidding is the real deal. The lines make it appear to be bent in the middle, may just be the cab mounts or bed mounts. Definitely does not work for me.
On the contrary, I love it. I think most haters are the ones that hate it because this type of rig pulls into a show and everyone ignores their bland mustangs and camaros !
Someday, the idea of sitting and dragging vehicles, especially older trucks, on the ground will be viewed in the same way as walking around with one’s pants pulled down, ridiculous and laughable.
The truck is an eye sore.
Take a $2000.00 truck, add $15000.00 in bags, drivetrain, wheels, tires and interior and let the dunces fight over it. I saw one at the Nats one year, 29 A sedan that I looked at for a solid hour and kept finding more and more very creative ideas. The car was totally safe and the body was rustfree and had just the right patina. One of two in the past ten years I thought I’d let my daughter drive without worrying.
The writer thinks this is a “Cool Custom”? Really? Looks like it was sitting on blocks and someone knocked the blocks out from under it. A bed that’s only a few inches deep? How idiotic.
What a waste of what probably was a nice restorable pickup truck.
Hey Adam,
Nice feature…
A refreshing change from the cookie-cutter duplicates seen at car events. I agree with your mention of the less obvious details that appear when you examine closer. “Continue to innovate, not duplicate”