A 1948 Chevy Street Rod With A Story To Tell
A blast from the past! This article comes straight from SA Hot Rods, all the way back to Edition 25. But even after all these years, this ‘48 Chevy still holds up.
By Ray Exton
Every gearhead has that one dream machine that sparks a lifelong obsession. For me, it was a 1948 Chevrolet pickup. When I was a kid, my girlfriend’s dad had one, and we’d spend hours playing in it, pretending to drive off to imaginary destinations. That truck left its mark on me, and I knew one day I had to own one of my own.
By Ray Exton
Every gearhead has that one dream machine that sparks a lifelong obsession. For me, it was a 1948 Chevrolet pickup. When I was a kid, my girlfriend’s dad had one, and we’d spend hours playing in it, pretending to drive off to imaginary destinations. That truck left its mark on me, and I knew one day I had to own one of my own.
Chevy’s 1948-1953 Series 3100 half-ton pickups are among the most iconic trucks ever built. These bull-nosed beauties ushered in a post-war redesign that set the standard for comfort and convenience. Wider doors, an expanded cab, and a newly introduced adjustable bench seat made these trucks more user-friendly than their predecessors. Under the hood, the early models came with a 216.5-cid six-cylinder engine, but by 1950, Chevy had upped the ante with the “105 Hi-Torque” 235.5-cid powerplant. Whether restored to factory specs or transformed into a fire-breathing street rod, these trucks have serious presence.
Over the years, I restored my fair share of classic rides, but a ’48 Chevy pickup remained elusive. Most of them had worked the farm life until they were either scrapped or left to rot in the elements. Then, while I was having fun with my restored ‘76 Corvette Stingray, fate stepped in. A buddy told me about a half-built ’48 Chevy for sale. The owner, expecting twins, needed to let it go—and I didn’t hesitate. I jumped on the deal and brought the project home.
The truck already had some solid work done. A two-and-a-half-inch chopped roof, custom-fabricated bed and running boards, a 350 Chevy V8, a 350 Turbo automatic transmission, and a Jaguar independent suspension front and rear. The metallic purple two-tone paint job made it look the part, but there was still a lot to do. The dashboard, hood, bumpers, fuel tank, and glass were missing, and the interior was barebones—just basic seats and nothing else.
With a little determination (and a lot of help from the incredible Street Rod community), I pieced together the missing parts. A rusted cab near a quarry yielded the perfect dashboard. A beat-up but salvageable hood turned up, and a handmade back bumper from the spare parts pile was modified to fit. The original behind-the-seat fuel tank was scrapped in favor of a custom stainless-steel unit mounted under the bed. A Hurst shifter was thrown in for a little extra flair.
Before long, the truck was back on the road. For years, I drove it in its unfinished state, hitting shows, rallies, and making lifelong friends along the way. But in 2000, my life changed forever when my wife, Bernie, passed away. Before she died, I promised her I’d finish the truck, and in 2001, I made good on that vow. A front bumper was sourced, chromed, and paired with a custom front valance. A permanent lift-up bed cover was fabricated, and the interior was reimagined with BMW seats wrapped in leather, a custom center console, and a fresh headliner. A single-tone light metallic purple paint job, flame graphics, and a fully chromed grille sealed the deal.
A couple of years later, I met Sarie. Our first date? A cruise in the ‘48 Chevy. She must have been impressed—because she ended up marrying me!
The truck follows the classic “California Style” formula—shaved door handles, no badges, a clean, bright paint job, and a slick, minimalist look. Over the years, it’s been featured in several magazines and even made its way onto the Discovery Channel in a special on South African street rods. But more than the media attention, it’s the smiles and waves I get on the road that remind me just how special this ride really is.
I’ve been lucky enough to own and drive this truck for over 15 years. Sure, she’s showing a little wear, and an “Extreme Makeover” might be in order, but every time I fire up that V8 and hit the road, I still get the same rush I did on day one. People have made offers, but this machine is more than just metal and paint—it’s part of the family.
Some cars are just cars. Others tell a story. And this one? It’s a legend.
Over the years, I restored my fair share of classic rides, but a ’48 Chevy pickup remained elusive. Most of them had worked the farm life until they were either scrapped or left to rot in the elements. Then, while I was having fun with my restored ‘76 Corvette Stingray, fate stepped in. A buddy told me about a half-built ’48 Chevy for sale. The owner, expecting twins, needed to let it go—and I didn’t hesitate. I jumped on the deal and brought the project home.
The truck already had some solid work done. A two-and-a-half-inch chopped roof, custom-fabricated bed and running boards, a 350 Chevy V8, a 350 Turbo automatic transmission, and a Jaguar independent suspension front and rear. The metallic purple two-tone paint job made it look the part, but there was still a lot to do. The dashboard, hood, bumpers, fuel tank, and glass were missing, and the interior was barebones—just basic seats and nothing else.
With a little determination (and a lot of help from the incredible Street Rod community), I pieced together the missing parts. A rusted cab near a quarry yielded the perfect dashboard. A beat-up but salvageable hood turned up, and a handmade back bumper from the spare parts pile was modified to fit. The original behind-the-seat fuel tank was scrapped in favor of a custom stainless-steel unit mounted under the bed. A Hurst shifter was thrown in for a little extra flair.
Before long, the truck was back on the road. For years, I drove it in its unfinished state, hitting shows, rallies, and making lifelong friends along the way. But in 2000, my life changed forever when my wife, Bernie, passed away. Before she died, I promised her I’d finish the truck, and in 2001, I made good on that vow. A front bumper was sourced, chromed, and paired with a custom front valance. A permanent lift-up bed cover was fabricated, and the interior was reimagined with BMW seats wrapped in leather, a custom center console, and a fresh headliner. A single-tone light metallic purple paint job, flame graphics, and a fully chromed grille sealed the deal.
A couple of years later, I met Sarie. Our first date? A cruise in the ‘48 Chevy. She must have been impressed—because she ended up marrying me!
The truck follows the classic “California Style” formula—shaved door handles, no badges, a clean, bright paint job, and a slick, minimalist look. Over the years, it’s been featured in several magazines and even made its way onto the Discovery Channel in a special on South African street rods. But more than the media attention, it’s the smiles and waves I get on the road that remind me just how special this ride really is.
I’ve been lucky enough to own and drive this truck for over 15 years. Sure, she’s showing a little wear, and an “Extreme Makeover” might be in order, but every time I fire up that V8 and hit the road, I still get the same rush I did on day one. People have made offers, but this machine is more than just metal and paint—it’s part of the family.
Some cars are just cars. Others tell a story. And this one? It’s a legend.
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