If you’ve ever had any reason to doubt the ongoing popularity of classic pickups, then you need to take a look at this 1955 Chevrolet 3100. It has been listed for sale in a No Reserve auction, and bidding has been extremely spirited up to this point. It is easy to understand why, because below that shiny paint you can see plenty of evidence of the life that it has led. It has recently served as a promotional vehicle for the owner’s business, but he has decided that the time has come to part with it. The 3100 is located in Waukon, Iowa, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. There have already been 48 bids submitted on the vehicle, and this has pushed to price along to $8,400 in this No Reserve auction.
The Pickup is finished in Juniper Green, and while the paint that graces the vehicle appears to be relatively new, it also appears that no effort has been made to disguise the life that this classic has led up until now. There are plenty of dings and dents to be seen, and these range in size and severity from the pretty mild, right through to ones that are quite substantial. The most obvious of these is on the hood, but the point is that these are all repairable if the next owner wants to return the Chevy to a pristine state. The timber in the bed is said to be original, but it is starting to rot and will require replacement at some point in the near future. It probably comes as no surprise to learn that there is some rust present, but it actually isn’t that bad. The rear cab corners look good, but the floor and the front cab corners have both been impacted by this. Due to the fact that these are common issues, replacement parts are extremely easy to source and are very affordable. New floors and front cab corners can quite easily be found for around $200 for the lot, so if the next owner is handy with a welder and grinder, then this actually represents a cheap repair job. The external trim and bumpers are all present, as is all of the glass. The glass in both doors is cracked, but since it isn’t falling apart, replacing these pieces is not something that would need to happen immediately.
Powering the 3100 is the 235ci Thriftmaster 6-cylinder engine, which is backed by a 3-speed manual transmission. This engine produces a healthy 112hp, but it is the impressive 200ft/lbs of torque that is delivered at a mere 2,000 rpm that makes this a vehicle that will carry its designated ½ ton load with ease. And I do believe that it would be more than capable of doing that now because the Chevy is in very good mechanical health. The owner says that the engine starts right up and that it drives and stops really well. It retains its original 6-volt electrical system, and while the tires look good, the owner admits that they should be replaced as they are starting to get pretty old. The owner supplies this YouTube video. It shows a walkaround, as well as footage of the 3100 running and driving. I don’t see any obvious issues or problems, with it appearing to roll along quite nicely.
The condition of the Chevy’s interior is well within keeping with the rest of the vehicle and is better than quite a few classic pickups that we have seen here at Barn Finds in recent times. It isn’t perfect, but it is quite serviceable. The seat cover is starting to show some tearing on the driver’s side. The door trims are also looking dilapidated, and new upholstery right across the board would help the interior to really shine. It would be very tempting to attend to the upholstery needs, fit a new rubber mat on the floor, and then leave the rest of the interior untouched. However, if the next owner wanted to restore the interior to its original state, then doing so would be easy. The good news is that everything appears to be present, so that will leave the buyer with plenty of options when choosing which path to follow. The owner states that the only thing inside the 3100 that doesn’t currently operate is the fuel gauge, with everything else fully functional. Given how basic these old girls tend to be, getting that single gauge working again might not be an issue. Even if the gauge eventually requires replacement, they are easily available for around $80. Therefore, they aren’t a big investment.
Whether I like this 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup is probably irrelevant, although I must admit that I do. It would seem that I am not alone in that feeling, because the bidding to this point provides a graphic demonstration of just how desirable this vehicle actually is. It looks like the sort of classic where you could slide behind the wheel and drive around all day with a smile glued to your face. That makes me wonder whether any of our readers will be interested in possibly joining the bidding war on this old beauty.
Nice! I only hope an original truck like this, stays like this, and the new owner doesn’t mind wandering steering, iffy brakes, chattering clutch and worn column shift, screaming motor @ 55, all attributes of a truck like this, not to mention, the tip-toe dance getting it started. I think the ’55 was the nicest(?) AD with the “Task Force” trucks right around the corner that came out mid ’55, so this is kind of a rare truck but it’s nice to see one like this again. And not to sound like a broken record( that dates me) it has a snowballs chance in Hades of remaining like this.
But it does happen, Howard, so have hope-a friend of mine here nearby is a retired DOT engineer; he found a clean one sitting in a ranchers yard and bought for next to nothing. Rebuilt and refurbished to original, painted Biscayne Blue with black fenders, he tootles into town all the time (55MPH speed limit on that stretch). Every time he drives it he has (friendly) honks, enthusiastic waves (always with all 5 fingers), and thumbs up as he rolls along in the #2 lane..
Good times. We can only hope, Howard, and pass along the enthusiasm/knowledge of folks like you and the rest here on BF.
Stay healthy, my friend.
Thanks, pal, so far so good, I see a lot of trendy restaurants setting up umbrellas at their tables outside, and a general increase in activity, although most all festivals and gatherings are cancelled. Economically, gonna be the kiss of death for us, but this is BF’s, and we’re here to escape that. You know, I always wondered if truck buyers in ’55, like this person, had buyers remorse when the “all new” Task Force models came out mid year. I’m sure the slick salesperson wanted to get rid of the AD’s, and made no mention of the new trucks a’coming.
It is what it is– a great daily driver that you could actually use. Oh sure, I’d take
out the more serious dents, fix the glass
that needs it, recover the seat, and lay down a new floor mat, and that would be
about it. This is the way I used to see these trucks as a teenager. They were
everywhere and still plentiful and still
cheap to boot. Nice to see a truck like
this today. It takes me back to a whole
‘nother time and a whole world away.
This would be a great daily if you lived in a small town, a few miles from work and the year was 1955. However, being that reality is completely opposite, it would be entertaining mat best trying to hang with modern traffic.
Beautiful truck. It would be up to the new owner to take it to whatever level he wanted. Luckily the 235 has insert bearings so that’s not an issue. sliding in a 283 with the 3 speed, or leave the six and put a 5 speed behind it. Lots of options. This time o’ year I’d be cruising! good luck and stay safe!
Cheers
GPC
The ‘54/early ‘55 Advanced Design trucks were definitely the crowning achievement in that series. Everything that needed attention got it, including the one-piece windshield. It would have been quite interesting to reset all the assembly lines in mid-year to accommodate the Task Force series. Torque tube stops here and open drive shaft continues on. 6V stops and 12V carries on. I’ve heard a lot of comments on using the foot-starter and manipulating the accelerator pedal at the same time. There was actually nothing to it; you either got the ball of your foot on the starter and worked the gas pedal with your heel or you pivoted your foot from side to side.
Or if it was in need for a tune up you hoped it wouldn’t flood the carburetor trying to start it with the pedal start
Oh yes, you could flood them. Sometimes starting the engine became a major task in itself. LOL…
My dad used the heel-toe technique on the ‘47 and ‘48 Chevy Loadmaster trap wagons on the wheat farm. He’d choke it to start, and then pull out the throttle knob so it would run on high idle. That made the electric pump on the 500-gallon diesel tank run faster so it didn’t take so long to fill the tanks on the D5 Cats.
And Mr. Smarty Pants here was already to let you all know that’s not a ’55 Chevy pickup, learn something new everyday. I’d always thought ’54 was the last year. BTW, darn nice truck right there :)
No doubt this will be gone fast, I think the 1st series 55 is the best one to have. You have one piece W.S. a real cool dash and if you keep the 6 a strong bottom end. I am always glad that you guys never disappoint ,to explain how rare these old trucks are and it what an absolute aboniationis to modifey them. Why would anyone want a, Nice Suspension, Acceptable steering, Decent H.P. and to be able to keep up with traffic and stop with disc brakes and drive with A/C and Music, on long cross country trips. I am just finishing my 5th, 53 to 55 F-100, then I will try to find and get in a twelve step program ,so I will be able to come to terms with all my bad behavior and be at peace while driving a ratty old P-U around, and punishing myself for all the past atrocities, I performed on these old trucks making them fun to drive everyday, goinganywhere I wanted to go.
LOVE <3 it!
I'd drive it just as it is! :-)
Dad had a 54 that looked just like this one, except it was a very pale yellow. My brother (died in 71 from injuries sustained in Vietnam) rolled the p/u over a cliff at the local land fill in 64. It was 235/4 speed granny. I used to rev it up pop the clutch in granny burning rubber until I broke a u-joint and dad made me repair it. Closed driveline on those meant a lot of work.
God bless America
The first series 55 was the last of the Advance design cab and a handsome one at that with the venerable 235ci 6cyl this has so much potential to make into a great highway hauler if I wasn’t so far away I’d be on this one like a rash and the side mounted spare is always a nice touch
Nice truck!! I wouldn’t change a thing!!!
Painting it was a complete waste of time. I would prefer it without the poorly executed paint job. Did he remove the rust before etching and sealing? Of course not, none of that.