Life tends to throw us curveballs, scuppering our best-laid plans. Such is the case with the seller and this 1948 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup. They had grand visions for this classic, but changed circumstances mean that they must send it to a new home. It is essentially complete and original, making it a prime candidate for a faithful restoration. However, it could also serve as the foundation for a restomod or rat rod build, depending on the buyer’s taste. This cool old Chevy is listed here on eBay in La Vernia, Texas. You could trailer it home after handing the seller $4,800.
Chevrolet released its Advance Design commercial range in 1947 as its first new post-war offering. It remained in production with evolutionary changes before being replaced by the Task Force series in 1955. This Pickup is a 1948 3100 that was ordered by its first owner in dazzling Orange. It appears to have undergone a color change during its working life, but the original paint is re-emerging on many surfaces. The seller is candid about the vehicle’s condition, admitting there are rust issues that require attention. These have affected many typical areas, including the rear fenders, lower cab corners, and the floors. The list may sound daunting, but it is worth noting that the popularity of these classics means that replacement steel is readily available and quite affordable. Therefore, returning the body to a rust-free state shouldn’t pose many challenges. I think that both sides of the windshield are cracked, and while the trim is intact, many pieces will require a trip to the platers.
Powering this Pickup is Chevrolet’s iconic 216.5ci “Thriftmaster” six that produced 90hp and 174 ft/lbs of torque when the vehicle was shiny and new. The seller includes some significant documentation in the deal, with the original Dealer Invoice confirming that the first owner combined the six with a four-speed manual transmission. This old beast would have offered competent performance by the standards of the day, and the bulletproof mechanical components mean that many current survivors retain their original drivetrain components. The seller confirms that although this Pickup doesn’t run or drive, the engine turns freely. That raises the possibility that revival may not be difficult, but only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth.
This Pickup’s interior is as tired as its exterior, but there is still plenty of positive news. The radio blanking plate and wheel-center horn button are both intact. This is a small victory, because both items often disappear with age. It requires a retrim, fresh paint, and a restoration or replacement of the wheel and gauges, but there appear to be no missing parts. One of the greatest attractions of these classics as restoration candidates is that interiors are typically easy to dismantle and reassemble, making restoration an enormously satisfying DIY project.
This 1948 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup has generated significant interest since hitting the market, with the listing receiving over 400 views in the past day alone. Twenty-eight people have added it to their Watch List, and it will be fascinating to discover whether this eventually leads to a successful sale. That poses the question of what you would do if you found this beauty in your workshop. Purists would undoubtedly opt for a faithful restoration, and it is a prime candidate for that approach. However, following the custom path is a viable option that lets the buyer cast off the shackles to create the classic of their dreams. It will be interesting to discover whether any of our Barn Finds readers are so tempted that they pursue this Pickup further. What do you think?
This is a very important listing, because it oddly shows a rusty Wisconsin truck,,,,IN TEXAS???!! Used to be t’other way ’round. Here’s the real 411 on this truck. What this tells me, is there just plumb aren’t anymore in Texas. They had to go 1267 miles to Green Bean, Wis., fought the mosquitoes( the state bird)and dragged this truck out of the weeds, the owner, if any, happy to see it go, blissfully unaware of its fate, schelped it back, and WHAMMO,,,$5grand. I’ll let that sink in a sec, I can’t make out the name on the door, generally this color is for municipal, ( they cleverly tore the original cost column off the BOS) and here we are. This truck is thoroughly cashed, and to think so many people are looking, so clearly interest, but scared off by the rust, again, cab mounts, big job, and that THIS is truly the bottom of the barrel. Price aside, I could understand someone finding a less rustier truck to sell, but this tells me, the hobby is worse off than even I thought.
One thing about these, I don’t think you’re going to run out of them anytime soon. The Harley Earl influenced styling will have an appeal to many for years to come.
Lots of these out west. As a border brat, I saw lots of the Canadian variants, the main difference being the model number: 1300 versus the 3100. Don’t worry about a thing; GMC has a gong show all its own.
I wouldn’t turn one down but I have to admit that my space is limited so I’ll have to draw the line. Might even have to thin down the herd and stick to die-cast. I do have one of those…
Got a ’49 sitting in the shed in better shape than this that $4800 would put back on the street if I can make the time. Thanks, but no thanks.
When these old trucks had run their course (20 years) I’d drive them home for a hundred bucks, now I see total junk with a $1500 ask.
This is one of my favorite era trucks from GM. Geomechs hit the nail on the head when he said, “The Harley Earl influenced styling will have an appeal to many for years to come.” I’ve liked these and wanted one of these since I was a little boy. Heck, I remember in high school our principal restored a ’54 with his son, Black fenders deep red body, it was gorgeous. He’d drive it to school and I’d lust after it. I still want one. Looking at this one, I wish my circumstances were different. If I had the time and the funds and a proper place ( barn with a concrete floor) I’d love to be elbow deep in oil and grease making an old truck like this run again. Maybe one day.
But looking at this one, I hope that someone out there saves it, and restores it. It would be neat to see the original orange again. Love the name on the door too.
My guess is that says “Dodge & Davis Department Store“ on the door. That’s an old store in Sparta WI. But hard to tell.
Love these trucks. I have a one owner 1950 Chevy with same drivetrain from Pagosa Springs Colorado. I restored it to original, painted it swift red from that era. Someone needs to grab this and get it running, you will have a lot of fun with it.
I just noticed the gas fill is set up like suburban. My 1950 had the fill in the cab, I moved it to the same position as this one. I never liked the design of having all that gas behind the seat.