Disclosure: This site may receive compensation when you click on some links and make purchases.

Great Project: 1946 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup

For the person looking for a solid classic pickup restoration project, this 1946 Chevrolet might be just the ticket. It is solid and fairly straight, and some of the restoration work has already been done. Located in Post Falls, Idaho, it is listed for sale here on eBay. With bidding currently sitting at $7,811, the reserve has now been met. This Pickup is set to go to a new home, and it could easily be yours.

Rust? Nope, not a problem. This old Pickup is as solid as a rock, and the panels also look remarkably straight. The frame has already been sanded and painted, so that’s one job that can be ticked off the list. Judging by what can be seen around the door frames, it looks like the Pickup started its life finished in Brewster Green, which would have been an attractive color. Unusually for a project pickup of this vintage, the timber is still in the bed, and it looks to be nice and solid. The vehicle doesn’t appear to be missing anything, and even the glass is all in good condition. The owner also states that the doors and tailgate close cleanly, which means that everything on the vehicle lines up nicely.

When you look at some of the design features of this Pickup such as the grille and the dash, there are certainly some strong indications of art deco in the design. The interior is basically original, although I think that the cover on the seat may be a replacement item. I can also see a heater under the dash, but thankfully, that amazing looking dash has remained unmolested. The interior would look striking once fully restored, although there really is no reason why it couldn’t be used as it is.

Under the hood of the Chevy is a 216ci straight-six engine, and a 3-speed manual transmission. It’s here that the news is all pretty good. This old girl not only runs and drives but apparently, it does both really well. The engine runs cleanly and doesn’t blow smoke, while the transmission shifts smoothly. The Pickup tracks straight and true, so it sounds like you could just about drive the Chevy exactly as it is, which is a real bonus.

Somewhere out there I can hear people suggesting that this Pickup is the perfect foundation for a custom or rat rod project, and I can fully understand that. To my way of thinking, this is one of the nicest, cleanest unrestored examples that I’ve seen for a while, and I can picture it in my mind’s eye, glinting in the sunlight in its original Brewster Green. There are so many options available with this one, and whatever path the next owner chooses to follow with it, the end result promises to be something special.

Comments

  1. Avatar bobhess Member

    That grill alone is worth the money. Like the Ford… paint it and drive it.

    Like 4
    • Avatar TimM

      I think this would totally buff out to have a really sweet ride!!! The truck is in incredible condition body wise!!!! That grill is awesome too!! What a gem!!

      Like 2
  2. Avatar LucyBanks

    Those old splash oil engines are great but differs from oil pumps of today .
    Luv the grille 👀👍

    Like 1
  3. Avatar Robert White

    $9100.00 bid so far for this rusted & in need of full restoration half tonne Chev.
    Frankly, rust and a flathead ain’t worth it.

    I would spend $9100.00 on weed before I spent it on surface rust.

    Bob

    Like 2
    • Avatar Terry J

      It’s not a flathead Robert.

      Like 6
      • Avatar Mountainwoodie

        Looks like Robert got ahead of himself with the weed there……:)

        Like 12
    • Avatar Richard

      i Don’t recall Any Chevrolet that was produced with a Flat Head!!!!

      Like 5
    • Avatar Richard

      You must be high on that crap to even post a statement like that!!! That is a Nice Project truck! Somewhat over priced, but a nice truck.
      I remember when you could have bought a New Cadillac for HALF that price!!!

      Like 3
    • Avatar Danny

      Robert White,I see what you did. You made a simple mistake, It says Barn finds, not Barbie doll finds. You’re on the wrong page!

      Like 0
  4. Avatar Terry J

    I think it’s a 4 speed tranny.The 3 speeds had column shifters by then plus you’ll notice the”lever” under the knob and the rod running down to the tranny. That is the reverse lock out that was used on those old 4 speed crashboxes for years. Cool Truck, Terry J

    Like 6
    • Avatar Marty Parker

      Column shift didn’t appear in these trucks until ’47 with the new body style.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Benjy58

    Hard to find a truck this nice. I hope the buyer leaves this gem alone.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Danny

      Not sure what I’m going to do with it but it should be in my driveway in the morning.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Sweeet truck. Nice shape. the 216 would be ok if you went easy on it as its a babbit pounder. Replacement 235 and let er rip. I’m thinking its worth 10 large. paint and drive. Goood luck too the new owner!! I’m sure double clutching a crash box is a lost art, but to me oh so enjoyable!!

    Cheers

    Like 5
    • Avatar Mike

      Double clutching might be a lost art to many, but, not to me. As both an old farm kid, as well as an owner operator truck driver (I REFUSE to give up my 13 speed lol!) I can double clutch with the best of em! I actually learned to drive in an old twin stick Mack.

      Like 3
      • Avatar Terry J

        Ha ha! Same here.Drove old 30’s & 40’s trucks growing up on Eastern Oregon farms . Double clutching is an art that requires talent & years of practice. The test for me was a surplus ’42 US Navy K-7 Korn Binder with a square cut geared 5 speed and an odd gear shift pattern. If you missed a shift,which was easy to do, that tranny would hurt your arm clear to your elbow. :-) Terry J

        Like 1
      • Avatar TimM

        I learned to drive rigs on an old B-61 model Mack that was a yard truck for a pool water delivery company!! At first I hated it!! Now I look back at it and I wish I could get behind the wheel of it again!! So I know where your coming from Mike!! It was only a single rear axle but it had some real power!! When I drove anything after that a 13 speed or an 18 speed it seemed easy!! I’m still friends with those guys and the Mack sits in there yard with weed all around it and I smile every time I see it!!!

        Like 3
  7. Avatar ruxvette

    Wow, now THIS is a survivor. Scrub it with scotch cleanser and a sponge and it is good to go. DO NOT clear the patina. great little truck for the Saturday hardware trips.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Dave

    Scrub the body clean and satin clear coat the patina. Ditch the chassis and put a 90’s caprice chassis/drivetrain under there.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Johnmloghry

    I like this one better than the Ford. There’s been so many good ones lately it’s really hard to make up my mind which one I like best. Back about 70-71 I owned a 41 it was blue and the guy I got it from put a 392 hemi in it. But I would leave this one as stock as possible.
    God bless America

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Bob McK

    Paint her and make her beautiful again. I would love to save this one.

    Like 3
  11. Avatar Jed Smith

    My old man had one of these when I was very young it was a fawn colour with a canvas canopy. I remember him taking the family to the Melbourne show in it 55 years ago. He also had another one 31/2 tonne they extended the chassis by bolting a piece of plate steel along it and extended it by 10 feet, so they could carry the plaster sheets that he used to manufacture. A mate of mine has had the truck for 11 years and is looking for another chassis for it. Blew up the motoe years ago and put a 265 in it. We used to cart hay and have a great time with that old beast

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Scott

    Robert White, put down the bong dude !!! Where do these DimWitts come from ? Oh I know, So Cal. This truck is an absolute Gem and it is worth far more than the bid price. Bob Hess said it right, the grill alone is worth the price. Whoever ends up as the trucks new owner will have a real prize and I wish them all the best of luck. Flathead ? Really Robert ???

    Like 2
    • Avatar Robert White

      My dialup 56k modem forgot to upload the engine compartment photo, and I assumed incorrectly that the truck had a flathead in it. When I saw the photo of the engine compartment I immediately realized the engine was an inline and not a flathead.

      my bad!

      pfffft

      Bob

      Like 1
      • Avatar Terry J

        Close but no cigar Robert. The majority of flatheads were inline engines. :-) Terry J

        Like 2
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      Easy, Scott.some folks don’t know as much as you :)

      Like 1
    • Avatar Danny

      Thanks, Scott, The truck driver should be delivering it in the morning. I’m happy with the price. It may seem a little high to some but in 10 years from now, that same truck will bring twice that much.

      Like 1
  13. HoA Rube Goldberg Member

    Got a burned out headlight. I think I saw a 6 volt sealed beam on ebay for like $400 bucks,,each.

    Like 1
    • Avatar SC/RAMBLER

      Hey Rube good to hear from you again. I have a great deal of respect for anyone who can drive a B model Mack or double clutch any non syncromesh tranny. This truck should be fully restored its earned it

      Like 1
  14. Avatar ctmphrs

    Restoring this truck would be a terrible thing to do to it. You take away all of it’s well earned history.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Scott

    Hey Danny,
    You got yourself a gem. I’m sure by now the truck has been delivered. I truly do wish you the very best of luck with your latest project and please give us an update from time to time. I look forward to seeing the truck once you have finished it.

    Like 1

Leave a Reply to Scott Cancel reply

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Get new comment updates via email. Or subscribe without commenting.