Bidding for this 1954 Chevrolet 3100 short-bed pickup ends tomorrow night, and it’s listed at no reserve. While not currently running, the seller seems to have a good sense of what the truck has and what its need will be, but admits he inherited it from his father and doesn’t know much more about it. The body looks weathered but sound, and a few modifications point to some modest hotrodding attempts in the past. Find it here on eBay with bids over $4K.
The truck does appear largely complete, per the seller’s description. The deep-dish steel wheels with center hubcaps are a tough look, and work well with the wide fenders front and rear. Paint is effectively non-existent but the multiple shades of green, primer, and surface rust are part of a look that’s hard to fake. A new windshield will need to be sourced by the next owner to pass inspection in most states.
The seller, despite not knowing much about the truck, seems confident there’s potential: “Not currently running but the engine should be rebuildable. 235 cu. in. inline 6 cylinder.” Of course, these engines are equal-parts simple and bullet-proof, so it shouldn’t be too hard to bring back to life. The seller notes that his father paired this motor to “…a Muncie M22 close ratio transmission with Hurst Comp+ shifter.”
So, dad liked to build his trucks with a little bit of performance in mind – we can get on board with that. The bed is covered in surface rust but appears dry and free of major holes. The seller notes the front suspension was previously replaced with independent suspension from an Oldsmobile to make it possible to accept larger motors down the line. Seems like there’s lots of potential here, with some desirable modifications already performed. How would you build it?
Ridden hard and put away wet – what more could a boy want!
Power steering seems out of place for this truck.
Usual Steel bed plate added over wood floor.
The body is not to rusted for its age .
Those engines will lock up from setting and the heads are known to have cracks in some needing replacement.
My 54 project is about done now and the bulletproof engine needed new pistons as number four seized tightas a jug after sitting a decade 😮
Easy rebuild but remember the start of these requires perfectly aligning the number one piston as the distributor moves maybe 1/4 inch . It’s your in alignment or no start.
Stovebolt forum is a big help on details on the cast iron engines too 👍👀
FYI ..I am betting the six lug wheels are gone with conversions but look good
IT appears to have power steering, pretty rare for that early of pickup.
I have a 55 1st series, as well as a 55 2nd series, have bought sold parted, etc several old Chevy trucks and never even knew power steering was available! It must be the leak prone “slave system” that later models used, that piggy backs on the non power steering system…
Perhaps power steering was added when the Olds front suspension was installed? Having driven a ’53 during my formative years on the family farm, I know that I wouldn’t want to try and steer the thing with the “possible to accept larger motors down the line” thought.
That does imply some sort of forethought or long-term plan.
EBay comments indicate olds power steering modified
“NO RESERVE! 1954 Chevy 3100 Short Bed Pickup, Upgraded Deluxe Custom Cab (VIN: H54K07256). It’s a complete truck as far as I know. Not currently running but the engine should be rebuildable. 235 cu. in. inline 6 cylinder, Muncie m22 close ratio transmission with Hurst Comp+ shifter. The rear end is from a 1957 Chevy truck with 373 gears, and the front suspension was replaced with independent suspension from an Oldsmobile Station wagon so this truck can handle any large GM engine (the Olds Station wagon had a 455 in it). Power steering and looks to be in pretty good shape and would make a great restoration project. I inherited this truck from my father so I’ve tried to be as complete as possible – check out the photos for anything I might have left out. Hasn’t been registered since the 70’s, I have an old title from then and some of the old registration certificates and will provide bill of sale. ”
By the time you haul this slug back to civilization–naw; leave it where it is?
I guess it must have been about 1958 when my dad bought his 54 Chevy 1/2 Tom pickup. It was the short wheelbase standard cab model 235 wth 4 speed granny gear box. Pale yellow with brown interior. It didn’t come with turn signals, so he put some after market mouse ear looking ones on it mounted on top the front fenders and utilizing the stock rear lights. It was the first year with flat bed rails. It had 16” wheels and had good ground clearance. Those were good times for an 11 year old country boy.