1948 Chevrlolet 3100 - One's Not Enough

Dan & Barb Scace's Latest Chevy

From the December, 2011 issue of Classic Trucks By Jim Rizzo

The Scace's are by no means novices when it comes to classic trucking. As a matter of fact, as young as they are they've been enjoying the hobby longer than many.

It had been a good 25 years since the couple had completed their first classic pickup: a street rodded '41 Chevy. Over the course of those years they racked up countless miles and a lifetime's worth of memories behind the wheel of the '41. Not too long ago Dan and Barb began talking about how it was about time they tackle another rodstoration, and being dyed-in-the-wool classic truckers the next one would be a pickup as well. Dan had always admired the look of the 3100-series Chevys. It just so happened that a friend had purchased a rather road-weary '48 that he was going to restore but changed his mind and decided to stick with muscle cars. He let Dan and Barb know that the pickup was available and they wasted no time taking it off his hands.

Little by little, over time the couple purchased parts and accessories for the '48's rodstoration. They planned on taking their time and really enjoying the rebuilding process. And why not, they did have the '41 with which to continue hitting the cruise nights and regional shows while they plugged away on the new project.

As is the case, they started the rodstoration by rebuilding the pickup's foundation. They completely went through the chassis, adding a Mustang II-style front suspension setup and a set of 6-inch lowering springs for the rear (to which they attached a fresh 10-bolt Chevy rearend). Mounts for a small-block Chevy and an overdrive automatic were added as well as a new under-floor brake master and booster assembly. The finished chassis was then fitted with a quartet of Intro custom billet wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich rubber. The fresh, owner-built 350/700-R4 combo was installed between the framerails and then it was time to switch their attention to restoring the body.

Dan, along with Jack Raymond began the arduous task of massaging the truck's sheetmetal back into pristine shape, and, when finished, treated it to multiple coats of glass-smooth PPG urethane in an eye-catching blue and silver combo. With the bodywork and paint behind them, a fresh new cockpit was the next step. Dan enlisted the aid of Dragon Tail Upholstery to cover the pickup's new Caddy bench and the rest of the interior with some soft and supple gray vinyl, finishing it up with a contrasting dark gray carpet.

The '48 was finally finished, registered, and put on the road during the summer of 2010, and the couple has been driving it every chance they get since then. But, they're not neglecting the '41 either, as they both hop behind the wheel of each of the trucks, taking them both whenever they hit local shows and cruises.

Dan & Barb Scace

Pittsfield, Massachusetts
1948 Chevy 3100

Chassis

Frame: modified stock
Modifications: Mustang II-style front crossmember
Rearend / Ratio: GM 10-bolt / 3.73:1
Rear suspension: dropped leaf
Rear brakes: drum
Front suspension: Mustang II-style, Detroit Eaton springs
Front brakes: disc
Steering box: rack-and-pinion
Front wheels: billet Intro, 15x7
Rear wheels: billet Intro, 15x8
Front tires: BFGoodrich, 205/60R15
Rear tires: BFGoodrich, 235/60R15
Gas tank: stainless

Drivetrain

Engine: 350ci SBC
Heads: '69 Corvette, iron
Valve covers: GMPP, chromed steel
Manifold / Induction: Edelbrock / Edelbrock 650-cfm
Ignition: Accel HEI
Headers: Sanderson
Exhaust / Mufflers: aluminized 2½" / Flowmaster
Transmission: 700-R4
Modifications: Dan Scace
Shifter: column

Body

Interior

Dashboard: modified stock
Gauges: New Vintage
Air conditioning: Vintage Air
Stereo: Custom Autosound
Steering wheel: Billet Specialties
Steering column: Flaming River
Seats: Cadillac STS
Upholstery by: Dragon Tail Upholstery, Pittsfield, MA
Material / Color: vinyl / gray
Carpet: dark gray