Happy Fourth of July, everyone! And Happy 250th Birthday, America! Among other things, our country is known for its cars and trucks, if not showing what’s possible when a determined person channels his or her creative mind through skilled hands. Our Pick of the Day is a stunning example of both of those American characteristics. You can find this LS2-powered 1954 Chevrolet 3100 restomod listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Plymouth, Michigan.
The 1954 model year was significant for Chevrolet’s Advance-Design line of trucks. In addition to a restyled front end, it brought a one-piece windshield, more comfortable cabin, and new bodies that offered more load space, as well as new straight-six engines and Hydra-Matic transmission.
But that was more than 70 years ago. A lot has happened since then: America went to the moon, bias-ply tires gave way to radials, fuel injection replaced carburetors, the Soviet Union fell, and computers started running everything under the hood and inside the cabin. And unfortunately, many of these old-school Chevy pickups have rotted in fields and storage sheds over the last several decades.
It’s unclear what state of decay — if any — this 3100 reached previously, but it’s obvious that it’s now a pristine, stunning show truck. I myself was immediately drawn to its brilliant silver paint. It also has a head-turning stance, sitting low on its white wheels with baby moon hubcaps. Behind those is a set of power disc brakes. The bed was updated with fresh wood planks, metal strips, and a fuel door for the under-bed gas tank.
In many ways, the interior was overhauled for modern times, but whoever made the decisions about it didn’t go too far. Ribbed tan upholstery with dark brown striping covers the door panels, bucket seats, and even the headliner. An aftermarket steering wheel connected to power steering tops the chromed-out tilt column, which houses the shifter for the 4L60E four-speed automatic. Behind that is a set of modern gauges. Below the centrally mounted analog clock, the controls for the air conditioning system help keep the cabin as cool as the truck itself looks. Thankfully, one thing you won’t see is a massive touchscreen.
If this truck had a restored Thriftmaster 235ci I-6 under the hood, that would be fine, but it’s even better when equipped with a V-8 crate engine. This one goes by the name “LS2,” which all you C6 Corvette fans will recognize as a 6.0-liter powerplant. Add-ons include FiTech fuel injection, Spectre intake, and shiny power brake booster and dual-circuit master cylinder.
Another thing America is known for is hard work. If you’ve put in the time and sweat equity for the ability to spend $189,900 on a vehicle, treat yourself to this 1954 Chevrolet 3100.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
