Classic “Advance Design” 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Half-Ton
This 1954 Chevrolet 3100, with the desirable five-window cab, comes from penultimate year of Advance Design production, and was part of a collection that is now being liquidated by the selling dealer. Little is known about the background and age of its apparent restoration, and confirmed repaint, but this 3100 is described as being cleanly presentable and in good driving condition.
In the pantheon of American light trucks, the Advance Design line from General Motors has always been a prime favorite of collectors because of the trucks’ timeless postwar appearance. They were produced from 1947 until the Task Force series replaced them partway through 1955. This 1954 Chevrolet 3100, with the desirable five-window cab, comes from penultimate year of Advance Design production, and was part of a collection that is now being liquidated by the selling dealer. Little is known about the background and age of its apparent restoration, and confirmed repaint, but this 3100 is described as being cleanly presentable and in good driving condition.
By 1954, the displacement of Chevrolet’s OHV straight-six for light truck use had grown to 235 cubic inches. With a compression ratio of 7.5:1, the engine received its fuel mixture via a single-barrel Rochester carburetor, and was rated by the manufacturer at 112 horsepower. The seller says this truck’s engine starts readily when the manual choke is engaged. The engine is mated to a standard three-speed manual transmission with column shift. The seller reports no issues with its operation, and is unaware of any powertrain leaks. The engine bay appears as stock and nearly spotless.
The seller confirms that this 3100 has been repainted and says flaws are noted in multiple locations. The imperfections and incidences of chipping are numerous enough that the seller described the finish as “average, at best.” Some spots of rust, which are said to be minor in nature, are noted where the paint has cracked near the bumper mounts, on the underside of the bumper and around the door hinges. The chromed front and rear bumpers look to be in very good condition, as does the grille, with its huge floating center bar. The cargo bed is free of dents and scuffs. Its wooden floor presents as patinaed, with no obvious indications of scrapes or gouges. The glass is reported to be in excellent condition, and all the exterior lighting is said to be functional. The underside appears generally clean; surface corrosion looks to be mainly limited to the running board supports and spring leaves.
The 3100’s bench seat and interior door panels are covered in a newer leatherette-type material that appears to be in excellent condition, with no visible rips or wear-related creasing. The cab floor is covered by a rubber mat that looks to be in good shape, and the headliner is described as being in good condition. The painted steel dashboard mounts factory gauges that present well and are believed to operate properly. No trim or small controls look to be missing. There is no heater, air conditioning or audio system.
