The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre looking at first truck - '51 or '54 3100 - thought?

Hey All!,
I am contemplating my first truck(s).. a '51 chevy 3100... or a '54 3100... the first is a "mutt" .. it has a 51 body on a 67 Camaro frame with the small block 302 and auto transmission.... thats all i know so far... body of the truck is solid with minimal rust... no damage and the bed is still intact... the owner wants 2500 for it...currently not running.

the other is a "54 that has been poorly redone but all original... the bodywork (bondo) is showing cracks and the cowel vent has been bondo overed... its price is 5K more...has a few dents in the running boards and rear fender.. looks good from a distance but up close its... lacking..a lot.

my question is this.. would the 51 be easier to get back on the road and be more reliable in the long run with the later engine and under carrage...
or is the 54 a better deal since it all original but still need re-re done...

give me your thoughts...


oldwreck...

Wow...Frankentruck or the Mummy !
Its been my experience that fixing mechanical things is easier ( cheaper ) than fixing body things. You never know whats hidden under the bondo *g*. Assuming the running gear transplant was done reasonably well, I vote for the 51

Keep looking. What part of the country are you in? There are a lot of trucks for sale. Try Search Tempest.

I am in SW Virginia... Not much around here that is already on the road... these two are available now and I am leaning towards the 51 due to it being cheaper.. the I like the look of the grill on the 54but it needs much re restoration to get it good again.. in my opinion.. The '51 has an unmolested body and bed...the frame engine, transmission and rear end are from a '67 camaro.. only flaw is some rust out on the lower right rear fender.. the rest is solid. but I am new to this and was looking for some input form the experienced fellas ...
thsnkd for the reply

the transplant on the 51 was done well and the truck was on the road for a while.. it quit running ( owner couldnt get it started) and so its been sitting since then.. (he knows nothing about engines)... I looked it over and could get it to turn over but not start.. the body is in good shape.. solid with no major rust.


I like the look of the 54 grill but as I said it looks good from a distance but close up there are many things i didnt like... chrome was bad, it looked like a quick paint job over ill prepared work.. and then the engine was not a strong runner... compared to other trucks in that price range.. I could find a better one...

but wanted to get a second opinion from the more seasoned folks here

thanks

Man, you are right. There isn't much in your area. You should get a couple emails from me (see my profile for my address). That second one looks like a nice truck.

Thanks for the email on those two trucks.. I called the first and got no answer.. the other GMC is okay but... not my color.. yea picky... but I am leaning more towards finding a late 53 or 54 or 55 early..Chevy I do like the look of that big grill..( in chrome)

thanks

You mentioned "original" a couple of times so it must be important to you. The 51 will need an engine, tranny and frame to be original and probably a lot more too you haven't seen yet.
Just my observation. So I guess it is down to what you really want, original or modified.

You may have a registration and title issue with the 51. And the 54 sounds like a handful (but arent they all?). I think think that I may be inclined to keep looking. Good Luck on whatever you find.