1954 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup Restored with Corvette Inspiration

LT1 engine and suspension from a Corvette make this antique Chevrolet pickup the perfect cruiser.

The first full model year for the Chevrolet Corvette was 1954, following the initial year in 1953 in which just 300 units were built and sold. While looking through the vehicle listings for the upcoming Mecum auction in Las Vegas running from November 15 through 17, we came across this stunning 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Custom pickup.

Restored over the course of two years, this antique Chevy truck from the Advanced Design era has been beautifully refinished with inspiration from the Corvette. Mind you, the inspiration is taken from newer versions of the legendary American sports car, but the sporty design aspects make this one slick antique pickup while also improving the performance capabilities tenfold.

Two-Tone and Chrome

The outside of this 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Custom pickup features a two-tone paint job with dark silver covering the majority of the body while gloss black coats the wheel flares, the running boards and the bedside extenders. Those custom bedside extenders rear “Corvette 1954 Truck Division”, which isn’t a real thing, but we get what they going for with those logos. This antique truck is inspired by the Corvette, even though the only exterior change is the big, chrome wheels.

Beige Interior

On the inside, this 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Custom is completely unlike the exterior. Rather than contrasting dark silver-and-black on the outside, the interior has gobs of beige with a splash of chrome. The steering column is chromed, as are the inner door handles and the gauge rings, while the pedals are finished in brushed silver. Everything is wrapped in plush leather and the floor is lined with very premium-looking carpeting, but for the most part, this cabin is very minimally upgraded over original.

Corvette Performance

This 1954 Chevrolet truck is powered by an LT1 engine from a C4 Corvette, packing somewhere in the area of 300 horsepower and 345 lb-ft of torque. The power is sent to the rear wheels by means of a modern 4-speed automatic transmission, while 22-inch custom rollers out back and 20-inch wheels up front all coming wrapped in low profile performance tires.

After introducing Corvette power, the builder wanted to make sure that this 1954 Chevrolet Advanced Design pickup handled well, so this 3100 features the front and rear suspension systems from a Corvette. Aiding in the handling efforts is a late model power steering system and disc brakes at all four corners.

This truck is perfect for someone who wants a great-looking Chevrolet truck from the Advanced Design era with the classic look and modern performance. Best of all, it will be auctioned off in Las Vegas in a week, so it could be yours.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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