This 1950 Chevrolet 3100 pickup is far more than a restored classic; it’s a deeply personal family build that blends craftsmanship, performance, and memories. The truck was originally built by a marine engineer, which shows in the level of detail, fabrication quality, and thoughtful engineering throughout.
A Mother and Son Vintage Truck Project
Years later, after spending more than four decades searching for the right classic, my mom found this truck and purchased it in 2017. From that point on, the truck became a shared passion. My mom and I spent countless hours working on it together in the garage, building not just a vehicle but lasting memories.
She handled much of the custom interior and upholstery work, approaching it like a true craft project, while I focused on mechanical aspects such as the brakes, fuel system, and engine-related work. Those experiences sparked my love for classic cars and ultimately inspired me to pursue the hobby as a lifelong passion.
The truck itself is a beautifully executed restomod. Finished in teal over a matching teal-and-white custom interior, it underwent a complete restoration and has only around 400 miles since completion. Power comes from a GM Performance 350 ci high-output crate engine paired with a 700R4 automatic transmission and a 600 cfm Holley carburetor. The engine was thoughtfully lowered and set back four inches in the bay to improve handling and balance.
Underneath, the truck features a boxed frame, Scott’s front end with double adjustable coilovers, TCI rear suspension, and a third-generation Camaro rear end with positraction and 2.73 gears. Modern drivability upgrades include power rack-and-pinion steering, power disc brakes, electric fan, relocated fuel tank beneath the bed, and a tow hitch.
Comfort and style were equally important. The truck is equipped with Vintage Air conditioning, a tilt steering column, New Vintage gauges, a power driver seat, and a custom sound system. The seats were freshly reupholstered in white with teal stitching, complementing the exterior perfectly.
Color-matched rally wheels with white-wall tires to finish off that classic look. True to its original builder’s personality, the truck also features unique custom fabrication touches throughout, including a rifle-barrel shifter, bullet shell valve stem caps, a .50 caliber machine gun handle mounted to the tow hitch, custom center console, custom lower dash console, headliner, and chain-link chassis bracing.
The fit and finish are exceptional - doors line up and close like a brand-new truck.
Today, this Chevrolet 3100 represents everything I love about classic cars: the memories created while building it, the people I’ve met through car shows, and the feeling of pure enjoyment every time I drive it.
It’s the car that connects my past with my future, and the reason I’m currently restoring a 1967 Pontiac Tempest to original condition.
Chevy Pickup & GMC Truck Parts Are Available @ Classic Industries
Above: The owners of this fine 1950 Chevy 3100 pickup are Nic Kiesecker and his mom. The mother/son team renewed the Chevy to a remarkable condition, provided the cool photo collage above, and are seen in the middle top photo. Nic wrote this article himself! Yours truly (the humble scribe, aka D. Brian Smith) found no spelling or grammar errors in the narrative. The article's as spot-on as the pickup! All photos, with the exception of the collage are courtesy of Vicente Diaz (a CI photographer).
Whether you're restoring or customizing your vintage Chevy or GMC pickup, there's a great chance that Classic Industries has the components to get your truck to the finish line. You can find body panels, fasteners, wood bed kits, crate engines, suspension parts, and pretty much everything else you need by searching on the Classic Industries website or in our comprehensive GM Truck catalog. Simply click the button below to obtain your GM truck restoration parts catalog.
