Frame Off Built 3100 Stepside Custom Pickup 350 V8 700R4 4 Speed Auto A/C

SUMMARY

$30K in paintwork / Chevy C/K bed
350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission
Custom leather interior
Air conditioning
Upgraded suspension
Power steering / 4-wheel disc brakes
Modern audio
16-inch American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels
GM 10-bolt rear axle

The mark of a great custom is virtually invisible work. You know something is different but, hen you can't quite put your finger on it, hat's a sure sign the builders succeeded at their task. This 1957 Chevrolet pickup probably had you guessing for at least a moment, eamlessly blending old and new to create a cool custom that's not only great to look at but will fit right in on the show field. especially with its astounding paint!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Yes, he bed is from a late model C/K pickup, ut the way it fits on the vintage chassis is so perfect you'd think Chevy planned it that way. The body lines flow perfectly, nlike some jumbled-up collections of parts with strange angles and wide gaps. Look at the line that extends from the headlight bucket all the way to the back of the cab, hen continues onto the bed. Cool, uh? Of course, etting a truck to look this good is more than choosing the right parts, t's getting them finished to show quality, ncluding the paint and bodywork. The iridescent blue finish isn't very forgiving of mistakes or sloppy workmanship, nd the paint job alone cost more than $30K! This isn't just some garden-variety machine, his is a truck that's capable of competing at the highest levels and bringing home the big trophy for "Best Paint." The hood, hich can be a big trouble spot on trucks like this, its extremely well and closes with just a press of your fingertips. And there's no sign that this was a rusty project, ith crisp panel details and nary a wave nor ripple to be found anywhere.

Customization is also about leaving original pieces alone when they're right, nd this truck still offers brightly chromed bumpers, very cool grille and original door handles, ll of which have been restored to show condition. Note the billet step plates on the bed, nd the flush-fitting bed cover, hich is sleek as well as functional, iving this custom one of the largest trunks in the world. Traditional emblems have been exchanged for a tri-color Camaro header and GM Mark of Excellence badges. And there's no mistaking the Task Force look, ith 1957 being the last year for the single headlights, ri-bar units in this case, hat most enthusiasts seem to prefer.

ENGINE

Power comes from a solid-running, 50 cubic inch V8 that's nicely detailed, ut not so over-polished that you'll be afraid to put it on the road. Plenty of chrome makes the top end sparkle, specially against that dark blue paint, nd the hardware is durable and reliable thanks to decades of development. The firewall and inner fenders have been finished to the same exceptional standards as the bodywork, iving the engine a great background and strongly suggesting that no corners were cut during construction. An original style radiator, quipped with a new core, eeps everything cool. And things like power steering and A/C were added in the name of comfort and convenience. It's also interesting to note that the original exhaust manifolds were retained, ince they fit well and control sound and temperatures better than headers.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Another up-to-date modification is the 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission, hich completely transforms the truck's on-road personality. Where the original was working hard to achieve 60 MPH, his one cruises serenely at 80 with the A/C cranking. The clean, unctional chassis has been modified to handle that fresh transmission, pdated with early '60s Chevy truck torsion bars, itted with a '70s GM 10-bolt and suitably lowered using modern drop shackles. Modern tube shocks smooth out the ride, nd the exhaust system features tailpipes that dump just ahead of the rear wheels, ASCAR-style. There's also a disc brake fitted at each corner, ust barely visible behind polished Torque Thrust wheels, hich wear a combination of Goodyear and BF Goodrich radials.

INTERIOR

The stunning leather interior is worth the price of admission all by itself. Beautiful tan hides with dark blue accents give the driver's compartment timeless feel. Power windows, ower locks, /C, digital dash, nd a powerful stereo are all included. Tinted glass helps keep cockpit temperatures cool. There's a wide center console that looks like it was lifted directly from a new truck and wrapped in matching hides. Overall, he seamless blending of original and modified components adds to this classic's appeal, ith workmanship that's exceptionally good.

More than just a cool old truck, his Chevy is a modernized cruiser that has enough custom details to keep fans captivated. It's also been fully sorted and drives great, ith no asterisks or disclaimers required. If you appreciate the vintage appeal of Task Force trucks, r just want something a little out of the ordinary, hen a classic like this is your hot ticket!