1946 Chevrolet Other Pickups Base

The truck was designed and intended to be a daily driver from the outset, retrofitting the drive train and electronics was a must to make it tolerable for everyday use in the Texas heat and humidity as well as pot-hole laden side roads mixed with lots of freeway time but it was important that it look as original as possible. Rare opportunity to purchase a 1946 daily driver fully restored and close to perfect. Truck is beautiful & will cruise down the interstate at 65MPH just fine.
The goal was to create a finished vehicle that looked so classic and original that only a well trained student of Chevy trucks of the Art Deco era would be able to tell any discrepancies from original. To that end, a two tone paint job was a must. I studied both trucks and cars of the time and really liked the looks of a “tone on tone” scheme, with fenders only a slightly different shade than the body. The body color is a close match to an original truck color offered back then, and the fenders are a close match to a different body color offered, and I think together they make a subtle statement with a very classic vintage look. The grill had to be the chrome version and goes well with the original style chrome hubcaps with the correct Chevrolet logo “swoosh”. At the rear, I wanted the correct rear bumper, which is actually the same as the front. Hours and hours spent sifting through Hemming’s and eBay failed to find the correct mounting brackets so, undeterred, I simply made my own. I like the look. Because they are so hard to find, many have aftermarket rear bumpers and I think it really ruins the classic lines. Note the custom designed and fitted tool box, essential for extra storage and comfort.
For the interior, a period correct look was important as well. Carrying the tone-on-tone theme inside, the upholstery for the doors is similar to the fender color, and has the simple designs of vehicles of the time. Original door levers and window winders keep the door panel simple. The power windows are undetectable. While buckets may have been more comfortable, the bench seat was the only way to go. Resembling well worn leather (an option at the time) the ultra-leather material looks the part but is extremely comfortable in hot or cold weather. A vintage looking instrument panel and gauges provide all electric signals for reliable and accurate instrumentation. I was careful to try not to add switches or knobs where they didn’t exist originally. A floor mounted shifter and parking brake continue the theme.
There literally is not a day that goes by that I don’t get pointed at, honked at, waved at, stared at or my picture taken. It’s a real attention getter! This is a daily driver made to be comfortable to drive on surface roads as well as freeways. A lot of money went into this restoration, once you study the numbers buying it complete is difficult to beat.
Equipment:
1946 3/4 Ton Chevy truck
Drivetrain from early '70's chevy truck by previous owner? L6 250 Cu.In., HEI ignition, good compression, no smoke, runs smooth and strong. Turbo 350 Transmission, shifts (up and down) smoothly and correctly, proper neutral safety lockout for starting? Power steering, rebuilt pump and steering box. Power brakes (front disc, rear drum).
12V system with Optima drycell battery
Langdon Holley 2BBL dual stage carburetor conversion kit
Authentic oil bath filter housing with modern paper filter conversion
Aluminum radiator tank w/ fan
Front running lights converted to dual filament for turn signal operability
Discrete reverse lights
American Autowire PowerPlus20 wiring harness
K-Mar replacement bedparts, stainless rub strips and bolting
New fiberglass fenders all corners, no more rusting
Custom Quarter-Sawn White Oak bed boards
Vintage Air A/C system with heat and defrost
Power windows with "crank switches" for stock appearance
Dakota Digital light system with auto on
Newport Engineering dual electric wipers with delay
LED tail lights
Authentic 1946 Texas license plate
Pioneer Avic X920BT Stereo/GPS w Bluetooth connectivity and voice control
LoKar Floor mounted shifter
Amber lens repro Guide fog lights
2200cfm electric fan
Dolphin retro 3gauge dash - electric tach, speedo and quad gauge
Built-in USB charger outlets
Review mirror with map lights
Self-cancelling turn signals, stalk mounted (from late '60's truck)
DuPont 2stage base coat-clear coat paint system (all color codes come with purchase)
Wheel Smith repro wheels
Kelsey / Goodyear wide whitewall tires
V-Kool window film
Custom toolbox with logo.