Coming second to the pickup party after Ford, at least of the big three American pickup makers, Chevy proved that it was a force to be reckoned with. By the time WWII involved the U.S., the Chevy pickup outsold Ford. The seller has this 1952 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup posted here on craigslist in Bay Village, Ohio, just west of Cleveland on Lake Erie. The seller is asking $21,500, here is the original listing, and thanks to Mitchell G. for the tip!
The new-for-1947 Chevrolet Advance Design pickups – made from 1947 through 1955 – came in several versions, including the half-ton 3100 seen here. There was also a 3600 (3/4-ton) and a 3800 (one-ton), along with stake bed models, chassis-cab models, panel trucks, and a Suburban. The seller says this truck is a survivor and is wearing Forest Green paint. I don’t know if that means the paint is original or if this was originally a Forest Green truck from the factory.
A stepside box, or bed, was the only one available in this era for pickups, other than a chassis cab or a stake bed if a person wanted an open hauling area behind the cab. The next-generation Task Force trucks would offer a “Styleside” bed for the Cameo and Apache with flat bedsides and a much more modern look. I can’t help but think this truck has been repainted, but I could very well be wrong. This is a three-window truck as opposed to a five-window with an extra, smaller rear window on each side of the back window. I think it gives it an even more vintage look.
The bed has “hardwood flooring”, but the interior would have had rubber flooring. This photo is why I thought the truck may have been painted dark green at some point, because of the Saraha Beige (?) interior color. Did they come that way, with the door sills painted the interior color other than the hinges? That seems pretty unusual to me. This is the only interior photo, but it looks good inside.
But then again, the firewall seems to be matched to the body color. One of you will know, and it doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, I was just wondering about the green hinges and beige door sills. The engine is Chevy’s 216.5-cu.in. valve-in-head inline-six with 92 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It sends power to the 4:11 rear end and the rear wheels through a three-speed synchromesh manual with a column shifter, and it’s said to run and drive. Hagerty is at $18,900 for a #4 fair-condition example so this one may be at Pawn Stars pricing level – priced higher than normal because most people lowball sellers. I mean, I know that none of you would ever do that… (or me) How much would you pay for this good-looking Chevy 3100?
I believe all of the interiors were painted that color. My dad has a 1950 model and it’s that same interior color, blue on the outside, factory blue paint under the hood.
I want to say the door hinges on Dad’s truck are the same color as the interior rather than the body, but I don’t remember 100% for certain.
As best I can remember all of the original GMC and Chevy trucks were that same interior color at that time. I believe that followed thru the next two generations of trucks as well. We had a couple of 1966 GMC’s that were the same color.
As for as price goes if I were in the market for this truck $12,000 to $15,000 depending how bad I wanted it. I’m not that in love with that model to spend even that right now. Most likely someone will though. The market is crazy these days.
Back then truck’s were made to work not like today. They also didn’t have the paint colors they do today
nice original truck. Get it before someone screws it up!
How does a truck survive in this condition without a rear bumper? Cars and trucks are built with bumpers for very good reasons. To me, they look naked without out them. The interior color looks right, but I can’t remember if my old ‘50 had red door jambs or the beige that matched the dash and door cards. Either way, I like this Chevy, but prefer a 4 speed over column shifters.
It’s possible a rear bumper was an option back then as most trucks were either used on the farm or a work site.
Pickups did’nt have to have rear bumpers till late 60’s.My dad bought a new 65 F-100 no rear bumper, hung a piece of angle iron on worked fine.
A 411 even at 92 horse should, scoot well Too bad is a standard tranny, 1952 was no doubt the worst year of my life , READ mt latest book Death Row and you’ll see why…..
Top draw!