Almost none of us alive today remember Chevrolet’s Advance-Design series of trucks as they were originally created by the American manufacturer, as workhorses of the post-War era. Yet almost all of us with the slightest passion for vehicles can recognize one in custom form, used for show purposes.
These trucks, which have been made by Chevy from 1947 to 1955, have become today almost just as cherished by the aftermarket and collector crowds as the muscle cars of one or two decades later.
As such, the market is drowning in custom Advance-Design builds, which don’t spend much time out in the open before someone decides to buy them. Mecum’s upcoming October auction in Chicago, Illinois, is no exception in this regard, hosting some incredible trucks of that series, like is the case with this here example.
A half-ton 3100 by trade, this 1948 truck has been seriously tampered with decades after it was born, to the point that is now a sight to remember. It may look from some angles as one of those rendered beauts we keept seeing, but it is as real as they get. In fact, we’re even told it’s the recipient of multiple awards at various shows it attended over the years.
There’s no info on the year when the truck’s build was completed, but we do know that since it first moved its Jet Black and Anniversary Red body out the unnamed shop’s doors, it only traveled for 235 miles (378 km), so it's practically brand new.
Photo: Mecum
The truck rocks a Curbside Hot Rod Parts custom frame, sitting on top of heavily customized air ride suspension (independent at the front), which, like many other parts on this build, comes heavily polished. The all steel body hides up front a 350ci V8 engine, running an automatic transmission, a 9-inch Currie rear end, and is rated at 385 hp. The engine breathes out a polished stainless exhaust system, while stopping power is ensured by means of Wilwood hardware.
Sitting close to the ground, and with its body wider than we remember it from the original truck, the 3100 has a 3-inch chopped top, underneath which a Burgundy interior put together by Ohio-based Portage Trim can be found. Access to the interior is achieved by means of remote-controlled doors, which once open also reveal things like Dakota Digital gauges and an Alpine stereo system with DVD player.
Propped on Billet Specialties wheels, the chopped and low 1948 Chevrolet 3100 is going under the hammer on Saturday, October 15. It’s listed as a star of the auction, and that means it has a reserve on it, but no mention of it’s value is made - nor do we have an estimate of how much it could go for.
Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies. Full profile
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