Excellent Patina! 1950 Chevrolet 3100 Truck
Upon first seeing this 1950 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup, my first thought was I’m guessing there’s probably going to be some sort of a resto-mod in its future. But the more I look, there’s just something really inspiring about a nearly 75-year-old vehicle that is said to still be operating with an estimated 98% of its original drivetrain, plus it takes awhile for a finish to establish a patina as cool and laid back as this one is wearing. Regardless of the next owner’s intentions, it’s either not bad just like it is, or a good candidate to take to the next level, so it’s a win-win situation no matter which direction things go. The truck is residing in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, and can be seen here on eBay, where bidding has gotten to $8,100 already with the reserve not yet reached.
Known as the Chevy Advance Design, these trucks first went on sale in 1947 and replaced the aging AK model. The 3100 was considered a light-to-medium duty worker and featured a 216 cubic-inch inline 6 cylinder engine for most of its life, although for its final two years buyers got to choose from either a 235 or 261 CI displacement for 1954 and 1955, both also of the I6 design. The owner of this pickup says it’s running and driving the way it did 73 years ago, with 98 percent of the factory drivetrain, wiring, and components still remaining. A few items have been replaced over the years, including the carburetor, fuel lines, and brakes noted as examples.
The body isn’t perfect, but judging from the photos it actually looks pretty good overall, with some rust in the rear quarters and an eraser-size hole in the lower cab on the driver’s side. There’s also some corrosion near the front of the bed panel and the wood is showing some wear, but the latter is claimed to be the original piece and it would kind of make me sad to change it out! The seller believes the original color was red, and also thinks there’s been one or two resprays.
Not a whole lot is specifically addressed regarding the interior, but we do get some photos from inside and overall things are appearing decent in there. At one time, the heater leaked and there is said to be a fiberglass patch on the floor below it, but other than that, the rest of the floor area is stated to be like new. We don’t get to see the truck up on a lift, but there are a few pictures showing different parts of the underside, including this one, and from what we do get to view it appears to be reasonably solid down below. I’d be tempted to just make this my weekend and work truck as-is and not make any serious mods, at least not immediately. What would you do with this ’50 Chevy Pickup?
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Comments
Aside half the pictures in the ad being upside down looks to be solid. Blue over spray on the front bumper should tell you the color change wasn’t a professional job and looks like rattle can attacked most of it. Either way, could easily be made into a very nice truck.
$10,600 and still have not met the reserve. Apparently made of gold. Just about 6 years ago bought one in much better shape for $2,500. Unfortunately those days are gone for good.
My first was a ’52, in 1975. 130 bucks. Later I had a ’53, a ’48 panel, and a totally rotted out ’50 Window Delivery. By the mid-80’s I was done with them. You can’t even drive vehicles like that around San Jose anymore. I tell you what though I wouldn’t swap those memories for 10 grand, thanks for the reminder!
These are nice trucks BUT, they’re meant to be somewhat restored and enjoyed as a driver. I am really sick of the P-word; I’ve heard it so many times and I always think the same thing: If you can’t afford to fix it up so it looks decent, don’t buy it. My late friend did up a ’49. Super budget; paint from the hardware store; budget driveline refresh; it looks great, drives great and is a lot of fun. And his total investment, even with inflation, is a lot less than the asking price of this one…
Patina. This guy’s selling it. Is it OK to sell one that has “Patina”? Or does it need to be “somewhat restored” so as not to offend the eye? This one’s Patina has been destroyed by someone with a rattlecan, smh. Patina.
This is the truck that Grandfathers always seemed
to drive,”back in the day”.
Patina – a car owned by someone too lazy to refinish it’s paint.
It’s only new once. 😎✌️
Patina: old Indian word for ‘Lazy Bodyman.’
Not a big ‘patina’ guy but in SoCal I sold a 55 chev truck that was back yard art for 30 years for $5500, customer was asking $3500! 20 plus buyers showed up 2 hours before the advertised sale time, many with trailers! Go figure?$$$?
Got a 5 window from my father-in -law early 70’, wide 14 inch wheels, a lumber rack, used it for years pounding nails. The 14s geared it down to help carry the loads. Wish I still had it!
If you have ever had one of these, you cry that you ever sold it…
Anything other than stock is an abomination.
Mine was a ’52 GMC with a 248, a granny 4 speed, 4.56 rear end with floating axles, 17″ split rims… I miss it and no modern truck can measure up.
A truck with “Patina” is preferable to some halfwitted “restoration” effort that fills in all the uglies with chickenwire and bondo, then slathers on some cheap enamel. Patina is honest, “somewhat restored” is a liars rip-off. I’ll take the patina over some clodhoppers restoration any day, at least I can see what I’m getting into.