13 INCH ALLOY WHEELS FOR SALE

The 1948-1953 Chevrolet Series 3100 half-ton pickups benefited from a redesign that took Chevy trucks into a new era of comfort, convenience, and style.

Chevy's restyled "Advance-Design" trucks were introduced in 1947, well ahead of its first new postwar cars, and little changed in appearance through 1953. The basic intent was to provide more room and comfort for occupants.

All Advance-Design pickups had a new bench seat accommodating three persons, instead of the old separate seats -- and for the first time the seat was adjustable for leg reach.

The cab, described as "Unisteel Battleship" construction, was larger in every direction. New extra-wide doors swung open on concealed hinges and extended down to cover the sills. Glass area grew considerably via a wider windshield, side windows, and backlight -- Chevy called the result "Observation Car Vision."

Interiors were more colorful than ever before on a commercial Chevrolet, and the dashboard was functional and more glittery.

Mechanical conveniences included interior door locks, a large steering wheel, new steering geometry for less effort, more conveniently positioned foot pedals, an accessory radio, roomy glovebox, and full needle instrumentation.

The 1948-1953 Chevrolet Series 3100 half-ton pickups also featured "four-fold ventilation" through the easy-crank-down side windows, cowl-top ventilator, foot-operated floor vent, and a fresh-air inlet on the curb side of the cowl.

Light-duty trucks in 1947-1949 came only with a 216.5-cid six; later ones may be 235.5-cid, formerly used in heavier trucks. For 1950, the 235.5-cid engine got a redesigned cylinder head, to become the "105 Hi-Torque" six.

Changes through the period included gray (instead of body-color) inner grille bars for 1949; vent wings, a lower rear-view mirror, and elimination of left-hand cowl vents for 1951; pushbutton (instead of rotating) door handles for 1952; and a slimmer hood nameplate for 1953.

Collectible Pluses of the 1948-1953 Chevrolet Series 3100 Half-Ton Pickups

* Sleek styling
* Plenty of examples to choose from
* Strong collector support
* Pickups lead all other body styles in value

Collectible Minuses of the 1948-1953 Chevrolet Series 3100 Half-Ton Pickups

* Not strong as an investment
* Some body trim parts are very scarce

This more fuel-efficient fleet vehicle is the point vehicle for exploring World's Largest Things and Grassroots Art environments. It also serves as the delivery vehicle for the new Sideshow Extravaganza featuring the World's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Versions of the World's Largest Things.

Formerly a white Toyota 2x4 (yes, I know it goes the other way, but it's a funny mental image - I imagine a tiny steering wheel on lumber), the body was compromised in 2000 when I hit a drunk driver. And then an ex named Tofu hit a nun (omen).

Since then, it's undergone a complete transformation - it all started with a pair of Wonder Horses, perpetually accompanying my on my journeys. Then, yellow roadstripes were added (fresh off the highway) up the front, with little dinosaurs covered in tar making up the asphalt texture. The stripe continues up the top, back into a Mohawk of hay-colored hair for the horses, who ride over a city-scape (when in Art Car Mode) or the WLCoWSVoWLT (in delivery, trunk-show mode).

The sides are embellished with the official Scout slogan "Combating Genericana" on the passenger side, with a driver's side a mural devoted to World's Largest Things and Grassroots Art environments from across the country. Astroturf flames hearken back to car culture, with the color scheme sticking roughly to a road-inspired palette.

The two white horses are now also illuminated, tied into the tail light system. When the running lights are on, they glow too, and blinker bulbs are installed in their butts. Left turn, butt of the left steed blinks, right turn, right butt. Makes for some good CB conversations with truckers when I signal to get in front of them during night drives.