1954 Chevrolet 3100 ½ Ton Pickup Truck in Green & Ride on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

[@loucostabile]

Hi, If you like this video, please click on SUPER THANKS ❤ with the $ in the middle which is the SUPER THANKS button under the video. Thank you! Lou

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Beautiful '54 😍

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this Pickup :-)

[@MoparDan]

I'm really fascinated with the condition of that restoration. What a nice pickup truck and good heavens it's two years older than me!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the restoration of this car :-)

[@sking2173]

That just means you’re both old, Dan …

[@michaelhintz6187]

Very nice!

[@loucostabile]

Hi My Ride, Happy to read "Very nice!" :-) Lou

[@danielulz1640]

I love the color. It IS just like brand new!

[@ultraviolettp3446]

That color goes so well with that vintage and style truck. I had a grandfather with a 1960's GMC pickup and it had a color very similar to that. Classic.

[@danielulz1640]

@@ultraviolettp3446 I remember seeing lots of those trucks in that color back in the 50's.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you "love the color" :-) You're right, like a new truck from 1954.

[@skn9895]

I have the 2-ton version of this truck, 6400 series. My grandfather bought it new and it’s still in limited use on our farm. I’m also restoring a ‘54 5-window cab version pickup.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Prairie Viking, Happy to read you have a nice truck :-) Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@czechmate6916]

Job well done 👍👍

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@sporty1701]

FANTASTIC restoration of a classic American pickup! In the mid 60s, I was in high school and working part time at the local Rambler dealer. The dealer was VERY small...only 6 employees. It had been a family owned business for 40+ years as a Hudson dealer. They started selling Ramblers after the merger of Nash and Hudson in 1954. The dealer's utility truck was a green 1949 Chevy 3600 3/4 ton pickup, very similar to this 3100. It was powered by a 235 "Thriftmaster" 6, perhaps the MOST reliable/indestructible engine ever made! It was a four speed with an incredibly LOW granny 1st gear, which would allow you to pull an aircraft carrier, if necessary! Needless to say, that old truck and I quickly became the best of friends. At that time, boys my age were falling in love with muscle cars that were becoming very popular. Having VERY limited funds, my ride was a 59 Ford ex police car with a very tired "Thunderbird" 352 V8. My boss (a very patient man), understood my precarious position, and helped me keep my old cop car running. But the best part of any workday was driving that old pickup around town, chasing after parts and coffee. The radio didn't work and the floors were badly rusted...but I didn't care! I'd never had so much fun just driving around...shifting way more than I had too, because the "Narragansett Beer" tap handle/shift knob made it impossible to resist! Every now and then, the steering would become very "stiff"...a healthy helping of grease on the king pins and we were back in business. Winters were a little tough...the heater just couldn't compete with the cold air coming in through the rusted floors. Some Long Johns solved that problem...kinda. Nearly 60 years have passed since then...seeing this beautifully restored truck reminds me of a special time in my life. Very unexpectedly, I fell in love with a tired old rusty green pickup truck...and I've NEVER EVER driven another vehicle that put a smile on my face quite the way that old Chevy did! Can't thank you enough for this incredible post, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Strange Daze, Happy to read "FANTASTIC restoration of a classic American pickup! In the mid 60s" :-) Glad to read this car brings back memories of the utility truck you remember :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@waynetaylor8082]

GORGEOUS TRUCK!!! From a time, when the ONLY reason to buy a truck was for/to work.

[@loucostabile]

High praise for the looks of this truck :-)

[@ultraviolettp3446]

Beautiful truck. Remember the day when trucks were affordable? Great addition to your amazing channel, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this truck ultraviolet tp :-)

[@MisterMasterShafter1]

That's a beautiful old pick-up!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this one :-)

[@MAGronemeyer]

That is one beautiful Chevrolet 3100 1/2 half ton pickup. I love the Juniper Green paint job! That Thriftmaster 235 stove bolt inline 6-cylinder engine looks as good as it sounds, and it does sound very healthy. The woodwork in the bed looks awesome too! It is equipped with a 3-speed on the tree which makes it even more cool! The foot starter switch was a common feature in those old trucks. It had to be a labor of love getting that heirloom back to showroom condition. I love that old truck! That is something to be proud of! It's nice to see a pickup truck every once in awhile on here Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this pickup truck :-) My pleasure sharing this one with you, Lou

[@DaveStubbs-bq6kg]

Holy Cow. ABSOLUTELY STUNNING !!!

[@loucostabile]

High praise :-)

[@allanstriber5272]

My late friend had one exactly like this one... Did all the work himself... Miss that guy

[@loucostabile]

Hi Allan, Happy to read this pickup brings back memories of your Friends pickup :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@allanstriber5272]

Your welcome., Great truck.spitting image of his,woundering now son probably has it .anyway he worked at GM did everything . Told me how it cost more for red or black back then

[@plymouthduster225]

Gorgeous truck. My Uncle is building one the same color only his is a 1951 model. I gotta show this video to him next time I see him.

[@loucostabile]

Looking forward to reading your Uncles reaction :-)

[@dancerjim]

I was born in 1953. Wish I could be restored to look as good as that truck!!

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@motorTranz]

Brett is a gentleman like his dad! Sweet truck! 😍😍😍😍😍 Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi motorTranz, Happy to read you enjoy this "Sweet truck!" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@acts2211]

Rare pick up. Thanks Lou

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome acts2211

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Wow, this truck looks fantastic and its 'truck story' is another great one, too! It's true when they say the Apple doesn't fall to far from the tree. Thanks for bringing us another Roxworthy and another great Roxworthy vehicle, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheGunfighter45acp, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this "truck story" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@sparky6086]

Knob on the dash is the windshield wipers. They're vacuum operated.

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for sharing.

[@sparky6086]

The 1954 3100 was the first year it had the one piece curved windshield. Before, the windshield was 2 flat pieces split down the middle.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Sparky, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@ronaldnorris2179]

Anyone should know that 😂

[@Harold710]

My first truck was a 1954 3100.

[@christopherbennett4559]

T is for throttle like cruise control. Knob is for vent or whipers. I have a 56 all original. ❤

[@loucostabile]

Hi Christopher, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@Fodder916]

These are one of the few things you would never sell no matter how bad it gets absolutely majestic

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@bencelooney8686]

I have a 53. Can’t imagine ever selling it.

[@kickit59]

Lou back in 1974 when I was fifteen I bought the 1949 version of this truck also in green. It had the 4 speed with granny low instead of the three on the tree like this one. Otherwise the same truck, mine also was an ex farm truck from Greys Harbor County, Washington State. Anyhow we drove by this truck every day and for several years it had been sitting beside the barn near the road with two flat tires. So I told my dad lets stop and talk to the farmer about the truck. The farmer said young man I tried to keep the truck running but couldn't. Mind you this truck is a very well used farm truck with rust holes you can stick your fingers through. Today they would call it weight reduction or something but this thing was rusty including the floorboards. In the end I bought the truck from the farmer for $15. My dad and I got it home and we got it running. It was a true oil burner and when you drove it down the road you could see the asphalt through the holes in the floor. A bit later that same year I bought a 55 Pontiac Chieftan with burnt valves also for $15 but that is another story.

[@loucostabile]

Hi kickit59, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😀

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@JeffKing310]

Very nice truck! Like the other commenters have pointed out, trucks were definitely different in the 1950s. Great back story to this particular Chevy. Spectacular presentation. Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff, Happy to read you enjoy this "Very nice truck!" and the backstory too :-) I appreciate the encouraging words on the presentation. You're welcome, Lou

[@randyrobey5643]

I applaud the owners for keeping this heirloom in the family and for doing such a great restoration job. Thanks for the video.

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome Randy :-)

[@sking2173]

I see it as a tribute to his uncle that they finished the restoration …

[@alexkalish8288]

A very fine restoration , piant looks better than any 1954 at the showroom back in the day. It sounds great ,professional quality restoration to a high standard.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the restoration of this pickup :-)

[@donaldhollums3278]

I had a ultra-plain Jane ‘85, short-bed, Chevrolet C-10 with the 250 in-line and “three on the tree”. That was the most fun truck I ever had. Nowadays Pickup trucks are mostly bought to be status symbols.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Donald, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your pickup :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@jimk.7591]

I am pretty sure the "T" knob is a throttle pull knob. And the dashtop switch is wipers.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for viewing and sharing.

[@TheGeorgiaMediaGroup]

Lou If you ever in Georgia. I got a barn full of classic trucks..love to see them

[@loucostabile]

Todd hope I'll have the chance to be in Georgia and see the fun cars and trucks there soon. Lou

[@timc2346]

Beautiful original , like something out of a movie.

[@loucostabile]

High praise :-)

[@sking2173]

The pickup that Cort drove in the movie “The Man in the Moon” …

[@Kagaines]

Wow, they don’t know anything about it. Beautiful truck.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy this "Beautiful truck" :-)

[@cjdesign5700]

Very cool (and NICE) '54. Brett & Carl have a great family heirloom. The T is for Throttle and the top dash knob is wiper. Thanks Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Hi CJ Design, Happy to read "Very cool (and NICE)" :-) Thank you for sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@sparky6086]

Props to Brett for learning "3 on the tree". Most people his age can't even drive a "normal" stick. ...Of course, I'm sure, that Dennis would have disowned him, if he didn't learn how to drive a manual transmission!

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@BrianChappie]

An amazing restoration that looks like it would win some contests. I like the juniper green paint, and it's nice how it matches the green 1954 Illinois license plate. Thanks for sharing, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Brian, Happy to read you appreciate this restoration. You're welcome, Lou

[@mikestan5771]

Great video as always. Thanks Lou. PS you never told me you knew Sammy Hagar!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mike, Happy to read you enjoy this video....and I'm not sure this truck "Can't get up to Drive 55: :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@СергійШамін]

Цікава історія реставраціі! Гарна вантажівка! Дякую!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Сергій, Happy to read you enjoy this "Nice truck" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@sparky6086]

Had a 1950 3100 back in 1980. It was Grandad's farm truck. It was ragged out & a rust bucket but was pretty reliable. Eventually, it threw a rod, right before I went in the Army, so I had to sell it. Mine didn't have the control with the "T" on it. I don't know, what that is? Maybe something "New for '54!".

[@loucostabile]

Hi Sparky, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your pickup :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@josephg41]

Lovely truck, Lou, glad to see it. So the "T" on the dash is for increasing the throttle, just a pull cable similar to the choke. On the bigger trucks (1 tons and up) These often had PTO units driven by the transmission that would run things like winches and tilt beds and such, you'd use the hand throttle to increase the throttle, it would make the pto run faster. The knob on the top of the dash is in fact the wipers. These are fun trucks, I have a '56 3600 (3/4 ton) i've been restoring.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Joseph G, Happy to read "Lovely truck" :-) Thank you for sharing. Lou

[@carlv8168]

Lou, it's a bouncy stiff ride because these trucks were strictly leaf-spring suspension, front and rear, with a solid one-piece straight axle in front. Chevrolet pickup trucks didn't have independent front suspension until 1960.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Carl V, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Lou

[@scuffmacgillicutty7509]

I would never question your choice of content Lou. It's always first class, with the best of intentions, and results. I will say I love the Canadian content as well as the pick-up trucks, wiener mobiles etc...!! You know your big time when John Daly takes you for a spin in his Juniper green Chevy "farm truck". Cheers from Canada Lou and Joe.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy this "farm truck" :-)

[@sking2173]

Wiener mobiles ?

[@sparky6086]

One thing to point out, is the unusual connection between the transmission & differential. It's not a normal driveshaft.

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for sharing what you notice.

[@sparky6086]

@loucostabile I think, that it's called a "torque tube"?

[@willhorting5317]

​@@sparky6086 yes, it was called a torque tube. Chevy pickups didn't begin having the driveshafts that everyone knows until the "First Series" 1955 trucks...(first half of 1955)...which looked like the 1954.

[@sparky6086]

@@willhorting5317 Cool. Thanks!

[@agostinodibella9939]

Nice truck Lou! I bet hat looks way better than when it was new.

[@loucostabile]

I think you're right Agostino.

[@keeff8195]

looks like it was restored as it just came off the assembly line.Just how the classics should be.Thanks.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the restoration of this pickup :-) You're welcome.

[@rajeewananayakkara7577]

Very beautiful truck. Have a nice day Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this truck Rajeewa :-)

[@cgpapineau]

Very nice truck. I love the simplicity. I love the classics and muscle cars but there is something to be said for a vehicle that was meant to serve its owner in a humble, hard-working way, well out of the spotlight.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Charls, Happy to read "Very nice truck" :-) Lou

[@sking2173]

Back then men didn’t measure their manhood by the size of their pickups …

[@bruceh92]

Nice video Lou; she is a beauty and the paint color is so right. Thanks.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Make sure to watch the commercials (or at least the ones you can) as that's how I get paid so I can keep sharing with you Bruce H. You're welcome, Lou

[@erty7012]

Back in the day the doors might say something like "farm fresh eggs." Nice truck!

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for viewing and sharing.

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🙋‍♂️THANKS LOU,BRETT,FOR SHARING THIS BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF SIMPLER TIMES 🤗💚💚💚 My friend has a 5 window,different green

[@loucostabile]

Hi Budget Audiophile Life-long, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this pickup :-) Glad to read your Friend has one too. You're welcome, Lou

[@timc2346]

Thanks!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Tim C, SUPER THANK YOU FOR THE SUPER THANKS! It's appreciated, Lou

[@stude2896]

A nice review historically significant vehicle. If I recall correctly the knob marked T is a hand throttle. All six cylinder Chevrolet and GMC pickups through 1959 with manual transmission had the foot operated starter.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Stude289, Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@JaimeSalcedoA_72]

Simple, but very nice 1954 Chevrolet 3100 Series Pickup! That juniper green color suits it well, making all its chrome pieces stand out, together with the magnificent restoration of the wood of the bucket. And not to mention the renewal of the engine compartment. A simple but effective interior, with great visibility in all directions. Of course, the position of the battery caught my attention; practically under the feet of the occupant. You certainly do see these impressive vehicles, but sometimes you don't realize how much effort it takes to renovate them. I think that those who carry out this type of work are authentic restoration artists. Just look at the final part of the video, where it seemed that they were driving on a highway with a brand new 1954 Chevy 3100 truck! Sure, if it wasn't for the 21st century cars passing them, haha. It's great that they decided to preserve and restore this family heirloom to the delight, not only of themselves, but of all those who have the opportunity to come and contemplate it. Best regards, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jaime IN ENGLISH! NICE! Happy to read you appreciate the work to restore this pickup. I agree, when a restoration is complete, it's Artists who've done artwork. You're right, great that this pickup has meaning to the family and will be running for many years to come. Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@willhorting5317]

I had a 1954 3100. Originally the same color. Got it from my grandpa. I did my own frame-off rebuild of it. Had it for 20 years. Then had to sell it to pay for a divorce. I miss that truck.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Will, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your truck :-) Sad to read you had to get rid of it :-( Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@greenmtnman7714]

Very nice, I enjoyed seeing a pickup featured on your channel.

[@loucostabile]

....well if you type into KZbin search "My Car Story with Lou Pickup" rumor has it there might be a few pickups that have snuck into the "Car Story" Channel :-)

[@danielulz1640]

C=choke, T=throttle.

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.

[@Kagaines]

Seriously.

[@juanasanelli6831]

ESTA PRECIOSA Mis mas cinceras felicitaciones ! Hoy me cruce en la carretera con una 51 tan linda como esta Nos saludamos Yo con mi chevy LOU ,tengo un 235 como ese Hace 20 años espera la mano que le devuelva la vida...Pero la gasolina en mi pais es taan cara que me quita las ganas ...

[@loucostabile]

Hi Juan, Hope you get your vehicle back on the road soon, Lou

[@JeffKing310]

Right amount of pedals has morphed into 6 foot activated items on this beauty (throttle, brake, clutch, parking brake, high beam switch, starter) - wow. I could not imagine this being pitched today.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff, Different time, and things change. Lou

[@JeffKing310]

@@loucostabile For sure!

[@sking2173]

@@JeffKing310 - A few cars from that era also had a floor mounted volume control for the radio …

[@tonydagostino6158]

I think those three black knobs, B, C, and T are Brake (release), Choke and Throttle (manual)

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.

[@palidiciovermingagurainia1760]

The bolts are to hold the seat in place

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.

[@glenkepic3208]

blocked.... Hatari here as a memory. I love these old Chevy trucks.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Glen, Happy to read you enjoy this old Chevy truck :-) Lou

[@brendas.1374]

That’s a gorgeous ‘54 Chevy truck. I love it! ❤ Will you be featuring more trucks on your channel?

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read "I love it!" .....well if you type into KZbin search "My Car Story with Lou Pickup" you might see a few more that have snuck into "My Car Story" :-)

[@brendas.1374]

@@loucostabile Great, I’ll do that… Thanks Lou! 😉

[@robertberryhill4033]

Fantasic , love it

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you like this one :-)

[@donreid9058]

T is for Throttle you pull it out and it will hold whatever speed you got it at old school cruise control

[@loucostabile]

Hi Don, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@anthonyc1883]

Door jamb tag "For Economical Transportation" ;-)

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for sharing what you notice.

[@Keirfey]

Close to our childhood truck for hauling water. 53? 3/4 SD

[@loucostabile]

Hi Carolyn, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@rickyrunner7619]

nice 54 done the right way

[@loucostabile]

Hi Ricky, Happy to read you appreciate this pickup :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@duane3694]

Throttle was the T

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing.

[@michaelcallahan5358]

I had a 49 with a 289 corvette engine, would peal out for a 100Ft or more in second , although I never did that very often, since it was my work truck!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to read this truck brings back memories of your truck :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@al_dente4777]

Holbrook auto parts on 6 mile in Detroit had a 3/4 ton longbed panel truck version of one of these sitting in their yard, back in at least the late 70s, sitting in the same spot for years. The body was in better shape than that of my Dodge panel. Back then, nobody had suspected that these would dramatically increase in value and desire. Oh well

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Keirfey]

Nice

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@jordanthomas7304]

this tailgate is later used from 1954-1987

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@Keirfey]

The choke was interesting

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing what you notice.

[@randybartholomew8922]

I don’t understand why up north they call it the high beam switch and down south they call it a dimmer switch. On the driver’s test it tells you when to dim the lights, but it never tells you when to brighten them!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Randy, Hmmm, not sure why they have different names for that switch. In 1952, GM introduced the Autronic-Eye headlight system that dimmed the high beams when an oncoming vehicle was detected, and then turned them back on when the opposing vehicle passed. The system used a light photosensor mounted in a vacuum tube. The system would then amplify the signal using a tube amplifier so a relay could turn the lights off or on. Lou

[@rickyrunner7619]

the only thing I would change is from 3 on the tree to 4 on the floor

[@loucostabile]

Thank you for sharing what you'd do.

[@electricguysvcs]

Nice truck - slow the camera filming down a bit - I almost had to take motion sickness pills

[@loucostabile]

Hi Guy, Happy to read you enjoy this "Nice truck" :-) Thanks for the camera tip, Lou

[@philipchesley9615]

Hmmmnnnn...first time 3 on the tree. Ok kid, it's shifted/worked by your PALM. The PALM of your hand. Your RIGHT hand (palm up/palm down) Reverse/first: palm UP; second/third: palm DOWN. SMOOTH or RADICAL; It's the same. NEVER, EVER by your fingers. Only by the palm of the hand. Once you learn it, you'll NEVER unlearn it. Have an OLD GUY show you. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 You'll LOVE IT and be able to shift 3 on the tree in ANY vehicle, ANYWHERE. SMOOTH. PROFESSIONAL. MASTERFUL. Cheers!

[@loucostabile]

Thanks for viewing and sharing.

[@carlv8168]

You're welcome.

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@WadeB-vs8me]

And how many mpg on highway and how long he had this truck

[@loucostabile]

I'm not sure this one is fast enough for the highway. He's had it a couple years back.

[@sking2173]

@@loucostabile - Lou, those things would hum along fine at 55-60 mph … Top speed was probably in the high 70’s, depending on the gearing. The full-size cars back then with that engine would run almost 90 …

[@JubileeValence]

1:22 OFF THE HOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@loucostabile]

:-)