Creamy Classic: 1953 Chevrolet 3100 – Sold?

March 8, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

If your vintage pickup truck tastes lean towards a stock Chevrolet Advance Design 3100 built between 1947 and 1955, you’ll want to focus your search on examples built in 1953 and beyond.  While cosmetically the trucks look virtually identical, for 1953 Chevrolet launched their new 235 cubic inch “Blue Flame” inline six-cylinder engine.  The primary advantage of this engine over the prior 216 cubic inch mill is its pressurized oil lubrication system which is much more reliable than the previous engine’s splash system.

A nice example featuring this superior engine is this yellow ’53 3100 currently originally listed in January 2021 on Craigslist in Washington, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) which appears to be an older restoration of an example originally sourced from Arizona.  Said to be located in Pennsylvania for the past fifteen years, the current caretaker has their driver-quality 3100 listed for $30,000. Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Chevy pickup priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $21,400 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $38,800.  Similarly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool confirms the asking price falls between this guide’s current #2 “Very Good” estimate of $23,100 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $35,900.

We love the color combination and what appears to be a nice patina of what is likely an older restoration.  This is just a nice-looking old Chevy pickup that will gain you admittance to any vintage show of your choice.

Here’s the seller’s brief description:

“53 Chevy 1/2 ton 3100, Manual 6 cylinder 3 on the column, 235 engine, runs great, radio and wipers work, came from Arizona, in PA for 15 years, no rust, some small paint chips.“

Show or go: what would you do with this driver-quality Chevy 3100?  Comment below and let us know!