Worn but not worn out, this never-restored pickup might be just the ticket for someone who wants a winter project that only your own under-estimation could keep off the road come spring. Already in “great” driving condition, according to the seller, this 1949 Chevrolet 3100 pickup in Hot Springs, South Dakota covered 20-50 miles a week this past summer with no issues. Minor rust and a trashed wooden bed mark the low points, but the seller includes a kit to rebuild the bed with the sale here on eBay. At least 15 bidders can picture themselves in command of this post-war work truck, with the top bid eclipsing $8000 so far.
Claimed original upholstery on the seat showcases the no-nonsense expectations of an era before we asked about heated seats and a Towing Menu in our trucks. Door frame paint suggests this color, possibly Grecian Gray, covered the body before the racy red.
Note how the running boards connect front and rear fenders in one piece, even though the separate bed and cab allow articulation over rugged terrain. Maybe our truck experts can comment on whether the running boards flex in that situation by design.
Buyers looking for a driver-quality truck will admire the aluminum radiator and other newer visible parts, together with a host of recently replaced safety items in the fuel and brake systems. Put that with the seller’s testament of regular driving over numerous months, and you get a more mature starting point than many old trucks we’ve featured. The non-original straight six-cylinder powerplant is “a few” years newer than the original, though it certainly looks at home. I recognize that brake reservoir oil filter housing from my Dad’s ’53 Buick Roadmaster. Is that an alternator? Yes indeed! A new (presumably 12 volt) wiring harness should guarantee trouble-free electronics for a long time. Rebuild the bed and you’re ready for what would probably be the truck’s 3047th trip to a lumber yard. What would you change on this driver-quality classic before Spring?
Looks like it’s located in Hot Springs,South Dakota.
WHY don’t you include the location of vehicles featured here?
Hello angliagt. I agree that the location is worth including in every piece, and in my version of the Internet (and my original draft) it says “… in Hot Springs, South Dakota.” Please explain where you are looking for the item’s location and I’ll propose a process change. Normally I put it in the first paragraph. A little confused, but willing to help.
The version I’m reading said exactly that-“Hot Springs, Arkansas”.
Another cool old truck, one that should’ve been offered for far less but for the matter that it’s what the market tells us is “normal”.
Just another point that I agree with Howard A and others but to no avail.
Regardless, I’d fix the bed, call it a day and DRIVE IT.
Welcome to another edition of “Crusty Ramblings”,,
Thanks, Nev, but who cares where it is? It’s already into the foolishness stage. I never thought I’d see the day, where the motor looked better than the outside. Used to be t’other way ’round. So, what do we have here? We have a 75 year old truck, with not many updates, some folks may not even be able to get running. The tip toe dance with the starter pedal on a hill,, the what Grandpa? Starter pedal, STARTER PEDAL, takes a knack many today don’t have a clue about, oh, don’t forget the choke, kind of funny, really, I’d love to see the new owners face on the initial test drive on something they just spent $10 grand for( with shipping).
Todd,
I stand corrected (this time),& am willing to admit it.
I’m still recovering form hand surgery,& the antibiotics are
causing me some bad problems.At least that’s the only excuse
I can come up with for now.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Keep any corrections coming. We are not perfect, but always interested in doing better. Cheers – Todd
Master cylinder and reservoir are under drivers floor, I think the writer is referring to the oil filter.
Thank you Harvey! My memory is not what it used to be. I tried to zoom in on that housing but I couldn’t read anything, so I went with my best (flawed) recollection. Much appreciated. I fixed it and left the mistake in strikethrough font. What do you think of the truck?
Nice 🚚 just as it is.
Same here.
More Crusty Ramblings:
Well, Harvey, yes and no. 1st, for me, paint the God dang thing. It is one of my biggest gripes, this crappy rusty look, as if to say, it fits the stereotypical image of an old truck, to many today. 2nd, and to sound redundant, what it’s used for greatly affects your state of mind. For a putt-putt to Walmart 2 miles away,, tranny a howlin’, windshield a frostin’, it’s okay, but any kind of highway travel, by the time you eventually get to where you wanted to go, you’ll be wanting to kick a dog. Trust me, going 55 in a vehicle designed for not much more, and RAM duallys on your rear, that HAVE to go 70, it’s an unpleasant ride. Without some sort of resto-mod, a certain future for this, I think, as is, it has limited appeal.
That’s why you plan ahead to go the back roads, take your time & enjoy the journey, brother. Always being in a hurry is never healthy.
Definitely for the road less traveled.Fun at 55 mph, bouncing down he road.
Todd… We did some fender repair on a Chevy truck of this era and I don’t remember the fenders being bolted to the running boards. It’s got a turned up area under the cab with bolts into brackets on the frame… I think. Been a long time ago.
Thanks bobhess. That would make sense. The frame might flex a bit, but not as much as the (rubber insulated) cab and bed. I remember seeing aftermarket running boards on an ’80s Supercab Ford. They were mounted to the rear wheel arch and horribly bent from what might have been something as simple as entering a steep driveway at an angle. Much appreciated!
Yup, there is clearance between running board and fenders. Running boards attached to frame.
Way past patina, needed paint years ago.
Agreed–this has “patina’–but maybe way too much
The snip of the truck in “Grecian Grey” is a nice, not often seen color on these.
A more reliable way to tell what color one of these trucks came as originally is the firewall however. The farmer that wanted his rig protected or a different color didn’t often care enough to go through the work of masking everything under the hood.
You will also notice that regardless of exterior color, all of these trucks were painted the same inside. There are variations according to year (and possibly assembly plant?) but all are a variation of pewter grey or bronze.
True My ’49 interior is a “bronz-ish pewter”
General question, could you anodize an aluminum radiator black to make it look more stock or would that diminish heat transfer?
One consistent comment about this era pickups that is absolutely the truth is that you will not be happy driving freeway speeds in these. Your truck won’t be happy either because it’s about at maximum top speed at 55-60. I know because I drove them for work forty years ago and they are definitely right lane only. That being said I still like these and they can be neat to drive around fairly close to home in nice weather. Vacuum wipers anyone? And I agree with Howard: what ever happened to paint? The patina craze is an excuse to call deterioration desirable IMHO. To my eye these old trucks look much better with decent paint and because there isn’t a lot of trim on these they offer a great opportunity to hone your prep and paint application skills.
Does everyone forget that you can easily replace the stock fuel pump w/ the accessory double action version? Install one & your vacuum wiper laziness is cured.
Oh Yeah!
Don’t look for highway speeds in these trucks–and you better be a little skinny to drive with that huge steering wheel and not much room to move the seat back! ha ha!