VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Trucks and Vans What to do with a 1931 Chevy Pickup

Hi all. I just bought a 1931 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup. Found it on Craigslist. A pretty solid truck. No major rust-thru...only on the fender aprons and one of the stake pockets. It is missing the tailgate and rear fenders, but all-in-all it is a solid truck. It is mostly disassembled. I am a hot rodder, so I bought it to make a rod out of it. I already have a 1948 GMC truck that I have hot rodded. I was really looking for a '30s sedan that I could rod so I can get the family in it. I know this isn't a hot rodding forum and most are against it.

So here are my questions. How rare is a 1931 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup? What might this truck be worth as is....or parted out. I am wondering if I should just re-sell this truck and try to make a few bucks and look for what I really wanted.

I will add pics as soon as I figure out how to do it.

Welcome to chat and congrats on the new acquisition. As you say, this really isn't a street rod forum. Altho lots of VCCA guys have a street rod / resto rod to go along with the “preserve ”˜em” vintage Chevy(s) they own.

The 31 sounds pretty nice. They are neat looking little trucks. I’d think you’d find buyers to either restore or modify.

I don't have answers for value but others may be able to assist you there. Some guys are interested in dis-assembled, definitely not for me.

It’s your truck. Do as you wish. You’re likely to get help either way. Altho much more help if you decide to restore. Most guys in here favor that and know more about that approach.

I hate to chop it up if it is kinda rare. I know there aren't as many Chevy's from this era as there are Fords...cars or trucks. Is this actually a somewhat rare truck?

What do you mean by "chop it up"?

According to the info I have there were 7,820 cab & box Chevy trucks built that year. It's anyone's guess as to how many remain in either restored or modified condition. My guess is probably less than 750 combined. So, is it as rare as say a restored Avanti, probably not. But it is defintely more rare than a lot of other cars that come to mind.

Jim Magill......If I keep it, it will most likely become a street rod - IE: small block chevy, lowered, chopped top.....not a rat rod though. I may do a restore, but I am a hot rodder at heart.

Thanks 37blue.

It's your truck so you can do whatever you feel like doing with it but I'll pass on a piece of advice given to me. If it's not what you really want than it's best to sell it and get what you want because you'll never be happy with it.

Jim Magill.....Thanks again. I already have one truck ('48 GMC), so I was looking for a 2 door sedan so I can get the wife and kids in it. I may just take some time and get the truck put part way back together so if I sell it it won't be so scary for some people. Maybe track down a set of rear fenders so it is mostly a complete truck.

Ok...here's a stupid question...how the heck do I post pictures? According to the Help & FAQ, there should be an "Image Manager" link some where. I can't find it.

Can anyone answer my question above about how to post pictures?

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Gee....Do I here an echo of someone trying to establish a Selling price with No interest in restoration?+

All of your questions should have been researched before you bought the truck in the first place. Sounds to me you are just trying to turn a quick buck.

I sent you a PM.

No, I am not trying to establish a selling price or turn a quick buck. If I was trying to turn a quick buck I wouldn't have wasted my time signing up for this forum to look for help, guidance and maybe inspiration and would have posted it on for sale eBay or even the H.A.M.B. If I was really just looking to make a quick buck I would just part it out without any interest in the history or rareness (is that a word) and probably quadruple my money.

I truly like the truck. I just hate to hot rod something that my be kinda rare or may be better enjoyed by someone else as a restored original. I already have one hot rodded truck, so I am honestly considering doing a restoration on the truck, which in the long run may be much cheaper than building a hot rod.

I really dislike joining these forums sometimes because other people frequently seem to jump to conclusions and judge the other users who are here just to find info and maybe share info.

I have sent you a PM.

Scott:
Please don't judge all of us based on some of the less than helpful replies you received. If you send me a PM with your e-mail address I will see what I can do to help you get your photos posted.
Personnaly, I do not care if a motive was as some described. The way I look at it is, so what? Its no ones business but yours.
37Blue

Here is a link to some picture if anyone is interested. The truck was supposedly owned by a radio station in the Allentown, PA area in the sixties, that is why it has the Mountain Dew logo hand painted in the door. The owner told me the radio station used it as a promo vehicle at radio station events. Anyone ever remember seeing this truck in PA in the sixties?

http://www.leppingconsulting.com/1931_Chevy%20Pickup/

Never saw it before. Looks like a pretty legit and complete closed cab pickup, except for the rear fenders that is.

I just stumbled into this string. (These things happen...)

So, what did you ever decide to do with the truck? It is pretty darn neat truck.

I am going to build it as a resto-rod. I found a set of back fenders for it. I am putting a newer 194 straight six out of a '63 nova in it mated to a newer T5 5-speed trans and rear out of an S10 pickup for the rest of the drive train. I ordered a new wood kit for the cab which will hopefully be here soon. I am sticking with the parallel leaf spring suspension in the front, but switching to an axle from a 48-54 chevy pickup. That will allow me to put hydraulic brakes on the front and rear. The body will stay the way you see it in the pictures I posted in the link above. I am still collecting the parts, but will hopefully start assembly in the next few weeks.

hey scott that looks just like the one i got about 2 weeks ago, and i'm going to do about the same with mine. i think the early 50s front axel is to wide, but i've been told that you can take the spindes off and put them on the 31 axel. for the rear i think i'm going to go with a toyota 4wd rear axel its the right width and has the 6 hole wheel studs, so i can use my spoke wheels. i'm going to leave my body stock and for a engine i'm going to use a 235 with a t5 trans ( S 10 ). mine has real good metal but like you i may need rear fenders i might be able to save one then i'm going to drive it its going to be a daily driver

sorry didn't see the date