1949 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup Restomod

The brief for this build was clear: deliver a clean, smooth, and classy finish worthy of a Summernats reveal. That was no small task, considering 1949 Chevrolet pickups began life as hard-working farm trucks. Transforming one into a true show-quality vehicle demanded an enormous amount of craftsmanship, refinement, and attention to detail at every stage of the build.

Body & Exterior

When the 1949 Chevrolet 3100 pickup arrived, it wore a factory cab perched on a Porterbuilt air-bag chassis, surrounded by boxes of new parts and freshly hung panels that promised potential but delivered headaches. Every part of the bodywork on this vehicle was modified in some way, with panel alignment virtually non-existent and months of re-engineering required to achieve the smooth, show-level finish envisioned.

The tray was completely redesigned with softened lines, with the bed ends reworked - factory recess curves removed and new convex curves fabricated while moving the front bed ends to the front of the tray - to better echo the cab’s flowing shape. Both front and rear bumpers were tucked tightly to the body, while the rear bumper was shortened by 300 mm to align perfectly with the end of the tray. Custom front and rear bumper infill panels were fabricated to seamlessly blend the body into the bumpers.

The tailgate was fully customised, lowered, and welded in place for a seamless appearance. 1956 Chevrolet pickup taillight housings were grafted into the rear bed ends and fitted with custom LED taillights. Factory body lines were hand-worked out of the guards, running boards have been profile matched to the guards and the cab drip rails were shaved to maintain the ultra-smooth finish.

A fully custom floor, firewall, and inner guards transformed the engine bay into a clean, uninterrupted space. The body, chassis, and panels were finished inside and out in PPG Vibrance ‘Slanted Brown’ colour, delivering a deep, uniform finish from every angle.

Engine & Drivetrain

Power comes from a supercharged LSA V8, enhanced with a Harrop H04 camshaft upgrade, smaller supercharger pulley, full custom extractors and twin 2.5” mandrel bend stainless steel exhaust system and a custom fuel system for improved performance and response. The engine is backed by a T56 six-speed manual fitted with a custom clutch, feeding power through a two-piece tail shaft to a 9-inch rear end with LSD. A Mex’s Garage Watts link ensures precise rear-end control, while a custom tubular front frame supports the radiator and intercooler. The LSA, T56, tail shaft, and 9-inch diff centre were finished in PPG ‘Ginger Beer’ colour, tying the mechanicals into the truck’s refined aesthetic.

Suspension & Braking

Modern drivability was a priority, with the Porterbuilt air-bag chassis paired with coil-over suspension all around and 4-link rear for control and comfort. Power steering and Wilwood brakes provide confident handling and stopping power, ensuring the pickup is as capable on the road as it is visually striking.

Interior & Trim

Inside, leather and Alcantara trim - handcrafted by the owner’s brother-in-law - wrap the custom seats, roof lining, carpet, and interior panels in understated luxury. A smoothed dash houses Dakota Digital gauges, while the American Autowire loom is completely hidden beneath the seat and within the chassis to preserve the minimalist presentation. AccuAir controls and power window switches are discreetly integrated into the centre armrest, with ignition and dash switches subtly positioned on the seat base.

Custom Touches

Beyond the obvious craftsmanship, it is the subtle details that truly elevate this build. From the seamlessly welded tailgate and fully hidden wiring to the colour-matched driveline and an ultra-clean engine bay capped with a custom-made engine cover echoing the grille’s shape, every decision was carefully considered to balance modern performance with classic ’49 Chevy character. All stainless steel and alloy components were hand-polished and finished by Joel Seto Metal Polishing, adding extra shine and lustre to the completed vehicle.

From behind the wheel, it remains unmistakably vintage - its heritage preserved through proportion and presence - now enhanced by a seamless fusion of old-school style and contemporary engineering.