mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

1954 Chevy 3100 Is A Home-Built Work Of Passion: Readers Rides

There’s something truly special about a project that’s conceived and constructed by just a single person. The work may be difficult and exhausting, but the pride in showing it off and enjoying it when it’s all finally done is more than worth it. Thirty-seven-year-old Pennsylvania-resident Tim Casey knows this well, as is evidenced by his home-built 1954 Chevy 3100 half-ton pickup truck.

Tim is a lifelong gear head, recalling childhood memories of wrenching on cars with his dad. That passion stuck with him, and kindled a desire to build something uniquely his.

“I’ve always liked the ’47 – ’55 Chevy AD (Advanced Design) trucks, but never liked the original state of them – slow and riding rough,” Tim tells GM Authority. Although Tim liked the classic Chevy design, he wanted something that was fun and fast, something that could be driven and used regularly, all with modern technology under the skin. “I wanted a truck that I didn’t have to be scared to drive, or worry about checking the forecast on my phone, or worry about every scratch or ding.”

After selling one of his other cars to raise funds for his dream truck, Tim found this particular 1954 Chevy 3100 in May of 2018. It was a one-owner truck, bought new in Maryland, where it had stayed all its life until Tim brought it home.

Tim couldn’t help but be a bit nervous about the project he was about to undertake. “I don’t have a garage big enough to work in, and this would have to be tackled outside in my driveway. I have never tackled a complete restoration.”

Nevertheless, Tim dove in head first, intent on doing all of the work himself under a folding 10 by 20 awning.

For the bodywork, Tim repaired the Chevy 3100’s rust to “make it look like an Arizona barn find,” replacing the front floors, outer and inner cab corners, and front lower cowls. He also patched up the bed and tubbed the rear.

The bed now incorporates composite wood with aluminum strips, while the corners mount Ridler 695  wheels measured at 18 by 8 inches in front, and 18 by 9.5 inches in back. Tire sizing comes to 225/45ZR18 in front and 255/45ZR18 in the rear.

Tim also added his own stencil to the Chevy 3100’s doors to make it look like an old shop truck.

Inside, the cabin was equipped with a reclining bench seat from TMI, plus new carpeting, a new headliner, new kick panels, new door panels, and new glass. There’s a 32-inch tilt steering column and Hurst short-throw shifter, Dakota gauges, and a Volante leather steering wheel as well. A RetroSound radio, back-up camera, and Dynamat add to the comfort side of things, while a clutch and brake pedal assembly from a Subaru WRX provide controls.

Under the hood, Tim’s Chevy 3100 runs a fuel-injected LS V8, specifically the 5.3L Vortec LM7 from a 2003 GMC Yukon. Summit Racing exhaust manifolds, custom motor mounts, and a GM Muscle Car oil pan were also added, while a custom engine harness makes it work as intended. The ‘eight feeds an NV3500 five-speed manual transmission, and breathes through a home-built custom side-exit exhaust.

To make it ride like he wanted, Tim also modified the Chevy 3100’s frame and installed a Mustang II independent front suspension with coilovers. The rear gets TCI parabolic rear leaf springs.

Given he was doing all the work himself under an awning in his driveway, Tim originally expected his Chevy 3100 build to take two years to complete. Incredibly, he managed to build this impressive machine in just five months.

Tim Casey in his restored '54 Chevy 3100.

Tim Casey in his restored ’54 Chevy 3100

“I worked on this truck only on weekends and holidays,” Tim tells GM Authority. “Worked on it Friday nights after work until dark, all day Saturdays until dark, and all day Sundays until dark, rain or shine, 100-plus degree weather to 20-degree weather.”

Indeed, Tim is proud of his Chevy 3100 – and he should be.

Want to see your ride featured on GM Authority? Follow the instructions on this page, and you might see it on the website with a full write-up, like this one!

Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. I like the 5-speed!

    Reply
    1. Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Wow, truly an awesome sorry about how constant time and effort can bring about a dream build. I would buy that truck in a heartbeat, and he should be extremely proud of what he has accomplished. It might be time to ck zoning to build an out building…Tim and his significant other deserve to have a shop for when the next build (hers) is ready to be taken on. .

    Reply
    1. Thank for the warm compliments!

      Reply
  3. He really gave that truck some character. Something that’s missing from so many modern customs.

    Reply
    1. Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Thank you for the awesome write up and feature on my truck!

    Reply
  5. You deserve it!

    Reply
    1. I would really love to know more about the paint. It looks so cool.

      Reply
  6. Fantastic job, like the 5 speed & clutch/brake setup. 47 to 54 Chevy trucks my favorite. My dad had a 50 pickup green when I was a kid- I pushing 60 now. I also remember being with him when he looked at another truck-could have bought for 50 bucks in those days. Again great job.

    Reply
    1. Thank you Jim! I wish I had a time machine, I would have bought them all up for $50!!

      Reply
  7. Love Chevy trucks!! Thanks

    Reply
  8. Great story and beautiful truck.I also have a 1950 3100 5 window that I hope someday will be on the road again. Your story gives me great inspiration.

    Reply
  9. The paint job is a poor attempt to be cool. If you would have left it like you got it, it would be exceedingly better.

    Reply
    1. “It would be exceedingly better” for you. Tim built it for his and passengers daily use . A passenger in your car/ truck or bike is something kind of special.
      mmmm I think I’ve ran into guys n gals related or like u at car shows before.

      Reply
  10. Very. Cool. Truck !! !! I have a,52. 3100. Been. Redone. But back to. Original. Been in family since late 80,s.

    Reply
  11. Very nice. Finish makes me think of worn, comfortable blue jeans. Inspiring work!

    Reply
    1. Thank you!

      Reply
  12. John Grossen ,your statement was a great attempt at trying to be an ass hole ,you nailed it

    Reply
  13. That truck is sweet! My first car was a 1954 Chevy Bel-Air. I wish i had it now, would do it up like this.

    Reply
  14. Great project you pulled off by hard work and dedication and a vision..l have a 54 also..l would like to know how you made it and what you used to make the bed cover…

    Reply
    1. Thank you! The bed cover is made by bed craft

      Reply
  15. Tim, you did an awesome job on this ’54 3100 resto-mod. Your personal touches are pretty unique and creative. I especially marveled at the re-purposed parts that you used to fabricate the drink holder. Looks like a couple of spin-on oil filter outer casings, a timing chain, an open-end wrench, timing gear and other miscellaneous parts. The engine upgrade and top-loader NV3500 transmission were excellent choices. Good that you also went with the independent front suspension upgrade and presumably 5-lug rear axles, so that you could match up the custom wheel options. Keep up the outstanding work, and thanks for sharing your pride & joy with us viewers.

    Reply
    1. Carl, thank you very much for the great compliments. Very much appreciated and thanks for taking the time to read the article!

      Reply
      1. You’re welcome, Tim. I’m age 68 and have been a vintage Chev truck enthusiast/builder since age 19, having restored a half dozen of 3100s both in Advanced Design, and successor, Task Force series. I always marveled at the carbon-copy identical features between a ’54 and first-series ’55, which I believe was only the shape and style of the script emblem on side of the hood. Presently, I’m enjoying my retirement with a ’64 C/10 short-bed fleet side weekend cruiser that I restored and modernized 22 years ago. Life’s good. Glad to see a fellow in your age-group taking such a keen interest in resurrecting and preserving these wonderful pieces of American transportation history. Keep up the excellent work, Tim, and happy new year!

        Reply
        1. Thank you! At first I wanted a 47-53 because I like the split window. But after owning the 54 , now I really see all the differences in them and now prefer the 54,55. In fact I wouldn’t mind owning another one! The 64 c/10 you have sounds like a nice ride, I wish you could upload pics on these comments, but I don’t see a way that you can. Thank you again for the kind words and that you for keeping the vintage trucks alive as well, team effort!! Happy new year and thank you again!

          Reply
          1. You’re welcome, Tim. Yeah, I, too, like the ’47 to ’53 with split windshield (and even better with the 5-window cab). However, the ’54 and ’55 1st series have their uniqueness that sets them apart. I also forgot that the dash and instrument panel is similar (to ’47 to ’53), but more refined with wider more pronounced bezels around the two main instrument clusters, and if I recall the steering wheel was different in that it had finger indentations on the horizontal cross spokes, new horn button and straight horizontal dashboard top ledge with radio located down low. Happy new year, Tim!

            Reply
  16. Hello, just want to say nice job. I have a 54 3100 that have been working for 5 years its been slow for me . Its a frame off new everything I wasn’t sure but now i am leaning on a patina paint job. Thanks for saving another 54.

    Reply
    1. Paul, thank you for the compliments. Sounds like your 54 will be worth the wait when it’s done!

      Reply
  17. When you did it your self is a proud thing but when you pay you cannot say I did it I like doing it myself no matter how it looks I did it. great job

    Reply
    1. Thank you!

      Reply
  18. I have a 1950 3800 all original just have to have the interior finished and the wiring for the lights done but i love the looks ppl give me when they see it coming

    Reply
  19. Every time I see your truck I fall in love all over again .I would love to have 1 once of your talent wow .thank you

    Reply
    1. Thank you! Appreciate that

      Reply
  20. Amateur Gretchen Perfect Body Amat

    Reply
  21. Good Afternoon everyone ! can anyone suggest where I can purchase Krypted CBD CBD Concentrate Mango Isolate Powder 1 Gram?

    Reply
  22. Badass truck you got there man!! I’d be willing to bet that side exhaust has a nice rumble to it. She’s a beauty.

    Reply
    1. Chris, thank you? Yes you are correct, sounds very good, but still quiet in the cab

      Reply
  23. I just got a 1949 need help restoring it anybody know a person or shop I can go to ? Totally restored stering column gas pedal brake pedal wire harness it has 6.2 with transmission.

    Reply
    1. Thank you!

      Reply
  24. Great lookin truck Brotha! Enjoy!

    Reply
    1. Thank you Geof!

      Reply
  25. My Dad had a 50 or 51 carry all with windows all the way around. He used it for work as a plumber. He wore that baby out. I tore the rear end out several times, but he showed me how to fix it and the other times I was on my own. I’m 72 years old and I’ll Neve forget that valuable lesson my Dad taught me. He died when I was 17 and I miss him everyday.

    Reply
  26. Mr. Bachman,
    This is what it’s all about. That’s a very great story to tell about your fathers truck. My father would do the same thing. He would help me when I was younger and learning and sometimes he would tell me you do it. It was to show yourself that you can do it. I’m sorry you lost your father at such a young age. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  27. Hello, I was really impressed with your 54′ build and your ” Lone Wolf ” approach of doing all the restoration . It’s getting really expensive to get restoration parts. I just bought a 54′ 3100 5 window with an original 283 engine but the original owner lied to me that engine was Okay /not!! So now I’m looking for an affordable engine to drop back in. I was curious what rear end axle and gear ratio do you have for 54′. i’M hoping to replace old 3 speed transmission with a TH7004 R for better highway cruising RPM . Wish you lived in Ohio and be my neighbor Lol . Restoration AWESOME!!!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel