Gorgeous 1956 Chevy 3100 Is a Masterful LS2 Build: Track Time Tuesday Presented by the All-New Nitto Recon Grappler™ A/T
Wicked 1956 Chevy 3100 is the ultimate daily driver with LS2 power and a comfy adjustable suspension.
Many LS swaps that we feature are budget builds, pieced together with junkyard motors and dreams of going fast. But that isn’t the case with this amazing 1956 Chevy 3100 pickup recently highlighted by the folks at AutotopiaLA. Rather, a ton of time and money went into making this vintage Bow Tie hauler a show-worthy piece that also just so happens to have plenty of modern power under the hood.
The 1956 Chevy 3100 – the subject of this week’s Track Time Tuesday presented by Nitto – is owned by a fellow named Abraham, and actually started life as a Stepside, but has since been converted to a Fleetside thanks to the addition of a bed from a 1959 model. The frame is still the original piece from ’56, but has obviously been notched and heavily modified with newer components. Those parts include a full Ridetech suspension, CPP upper and lower control arms, and air bags at all four corners that are manipulated by an Airlift controller. Large Wilwood brakes bring it all to a stop in a hurry.
That last bit is critical, as there’s far more power on tap than what this classic pickup’s original engine provided. It’s been replaced with a 6.0-liter LS2 V8 that touts a few upgrades including FiTech fuel injection, Hedman headers, Magnaflow mufflers, and a tune that helps it lay down around 450 or so horsepower, which it sends through a 4L80 four-speed automatic transmission back to a 4.11-geared 9-inch Ford rear end.
On the outside, the ’56 Chevy pickup mixes matte black and shiny black surfaces for a somewhat incomplete look, though we think it’s a pretty cool treatment. The whole thing rolls on a set of Schot Vulcan series wheels measuring 20×12 inches in the rear and 19×8.5 inches up front, which complements a host of body modifications including a shaved rear bumper, black powdercoated trim, halo headlights, and LED lighting throughout. The bed has been blacked out as well, with mini tubs to make room for the rear rollers.
Altogether, this classic Bow Tie build looks like a killer daily driver, and that’s precisely what Abraham built it to be. With a comfy air suspension, the truck offers up a supple ride for cruising but can be lowered and tightened up when more spirited driving is called for. There’s also plenty of power on tap when needed, making this vintage hauler one heck of a well-rounded build.
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