The Advance Design era put Chevrolet trucks on the map as both workhorses and icons. From 1947 through the early 1950s, they became fixtures on farms, construction sites, and backroads across America. They were built to last and styled with a simplicity that still turns heads today. This 1951 Chevrolet 3100 captures that timeless look to perfection, but under the skin it's a completely reimagined machine. Completed in 2024 after a professional, multi-year restoration by Tony's Muscle Cars of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, it blends vintage craftsmanship with the drivability of a modern performance truck.
Finished in a classic mint green and cream two-tone with a hand-painted red beltline stripe, the truck's bodywork keeps every defining line of the original design intact. The desirable 5-window cab adds curved corner glass that improves visibility and gives the truck its signature wraparound profile, making it one of the more collectible configurations in the Advance Design lineup. The rounded fenders, divided windshield, and signature five-bar chrome grille instantly read "1950s Chevrolet," but the execution here is show-quality throughout. Polished bumpers and trim shine like new, and the proportions sit just right over painted 15-inch steel wheels and wide whitewall BF Goodrich Radial T/As. The bed features an aluminum floor finished to resemble fine-grain wood, blending tradition with clever modern craftsmanship. Every panel fits cleanly, every surface is dialed-in, and the result is a presentation that looks factory fresh while clearly built to a higher standard.
Lift the hood and nostalgia gives way to technology. The smooth firewall and inner fenders frame a 6.0L iron-block LS V8 with GM electronic fuel injection and a modern accessory drive. The engine breathes through a polished intake and dual exhaust, delivering reliable power and a relaxed idle. A 4L60E automatic transmission backs it up, sending torque to a 10-bolt rear axle with 3.42 gears. The updated S10 chassis introduces coil-spring front suspension and leaf springs in the rear, complemented by power steering and four-wheel power disc brakes for confident control. It rides and stops like a modern truck, not a museum piece.
Inside, the transformation continues with custom tan upholstery, matching door panels, and clean carpeting throughout. The painted dash houses a full suite of Dolphin gauges behind a billet steering wheel, while a Dual 6.2-inch touchscreen stereo provides Bluetooth connectivity, music streaming, voice assist, and smartphone integration. It's a discreet modern upgrade that adds real convenience without disturbing the truck's period charm. Vintage Air climate control keeps the cabin comfortable year-round with modern air conditioning, blending seamlessly into the factory-style layout. It's a cabin that feels true to the period but functions like a modern daily driver.
For anyone who loves the honesty of a 1950s Chevrolet but isn't interested in points judging or parade speeds, this 3100 is the ideal middle ground. It looks every bit the part of a postwar classic, yet its LS power, overdrive transmission, and fully modern chassis make it a truck that can handle highways, commutes, and car shows with equal confidence. It proves that progress and heritage can share the same garage.
Key Highlights
Professional, ground-up build by Tony's Muscle Cars
5-Window cab
Mint green and white with hand-painted pin stripe
6.0L iron-block LS V8
4L60E automatic transmission
10-bolt rear axle with 3.42 gearing
S10 chassis
Power steering
Four-wheel power disc brakes
BF Goodrich Radial T/A whitewall tires
Custom tan interior
Dolphin gauges
Modern air conditioning
6.2" touchscreen head unit
Bluetooth, voice command, and smartphone connectivity
