1951 Chevy 3100 – Shayne O.

The Restoration of Big Red

I began my search for a Chevrolet 3100 truck in 2016. I wanted the 5 window model which proved to be quite difficult to find. A daily driver was my immediate goal and I began to search daily web sites like Hemmings. I eventually located one in Utah that appeared to be worth pursuing. I engaged an antique auto inspection service that went to the Utah site and inspected the truck putting it up on a lift with significant drive time as well. They submitted a 60 page inspection report with many pictures and indicated that above all the truck was virtually rust free. The 235 C.I inline 6 had excellent oil pressure and although the odometer was broken the engine has proven to be quite strong and required no rebuild.

I purchased the truck and had it shipped to North Carolina where the frame off restoration began. Lucky for me the blasting and painting business was virtually within walking distance from my garage. I delivered it completely stripped of everything including window, gauges, wires etc. This firm “Carolina Auto Body” disassembled the box and removed the cab from the frame. The frame was blasted and painted separately from the Cab and Box. I got back a beautifully painted truck with nothing on it and began the total restoration. The front ribs went off to Missouri for plating. The bumpers were not salvageable and LMS provided both along with rain guards. All the glass was in great shape and I used the original for all five windows. New springs, shocks, tail gate were supplied by LMC. I made my own wood bed and routed the grooves for the fitting of the stainless steel ribs. Replaced the speedometer gauge. The monstrosity radio was removed and was virtually powder inside so there was nothing to save. I am in the process of putting a new (AM/FM) radio in that looks identical to the original as it presents through the dashboard. I reupholstered the seats and believe it or not the original headliner was good enough to re-install.

The toughest part of the whole restoration was the front grill ribs as the grill ribs were mounted using aircraft rivets onto a lattice that required each rivet to be drilled out to get the ribs off.. That alone took over one week just to free them for plating. Total restoration took over one year.[lmc_story_gallery]