This truck is about as clean as they come.
Saratoga Auto Auction is providing the opportunity to own a true classic workhorse, a 1952 Chevrolet 3100 1/2 Ton. What’s really remarkable about this truck is that it comes with all the original parts, so you’re not getting something which has been tweaked or altered in weird ways over the years. In fact, the seller states this Chevy sat in a controlled environment for the past 10 years, helping to explain its amazing state.
Providing solid power is a 216ci Stovebolt six-cylinder Chevy engine, with a nice 3-speed manual transmission. The fact this one has the original engine is somewhat unique, considering many do swaps on these trucks in the quest for more power. To access the engine, you open the alligator hood, which was quite the big deal when this truck first debuted.
Looking smart with a polished-up coat of green, this truck accurately portrays what people used to get work done as America hit its economic stride in the early 1950s. Among the classic design elements is a two-piece windshield and those Chevrolet dog dish hubcaps. You’ll also note the front fender vents, which are subtle but add so much to this truck. The use of brightwork is restrained, consisting mostly of the bumpers, grille, and headlight bezels, but there’s a nice mirror finish to these components. Wood boards fixed in the payload don’t show signs of excessive weathering, which is a nice plus.
The red and tan interior preserves the original feel of this Chevy, thanks to the factory controls and gauges still being present.
With WWII over and Chevy no longer making military vehicles, it turned its attention to producing “Advance Design” pickups. These were longer, wider, and lower than what the brand had made before, with an overall more modern design. The combination of durability, dependability, and modern looks made Chevy a juggernaut in the truck market, allowing it to easily dominate Ford, even with the new F-series models launching. As a result, restoring or even converting one of these trucks into a street rod is pretty straightforward.
