It’s funny how certain memories from your childhood stay with you forever. Matthew Foxworthy of Bremerton, Washington, is no exception to that phenomena. He sets the stage for us, “I always loved 3100 pickups. We had one as a kid, but never got to finish it with my dad before it was sold. I always regretted not building it.” Not one to leave regrets on the table, Matthew stepped up to the plate and made things happen. “After I got out of the Army, I went to nursing school in Buffalo, New York, and I bought this truck for myself as a graduation present.”
He continues the story further. “I bought the truck with no intention of building it as far as I did. We were planning to update the truck a bit with an updated suspension and motor, but once we took the frame apart, it was apparent that we would not be able to salvage it for less than the price of a new chassis. So we decided to take it all the way and order new to start from the ground up.”
The project began to gain momentum and start taking shape. The Scott’s Hot Rods Super Slam chassis arrived and was a true work of art. 13” Wilwood brakes with 4-piston calipers were added along with a pile of goodies from Ridetech, Moser Engineering, and Slam Specialties, to name but a few. Hard lines were bent and plumbed throughout to keep things bulletproof and tidy.
When it came to putting together a theme for his ‘53, the selection process was easy. “After getting started on the build, I decided to make it into a military-themed truck. I wanted it to have a military feel without using the traditional drab army green. I searched for a long time to find the right color and wanted to make an upscale statement while keeping the theme straightforward.”
That’s not where the story begins or ends, though. “While I was deployed, we lost a couple of my good friends – Specialist Alex Gonzalez and Sergeant Mario Rodriguez. We wanted to do a memorial, but nothing crazy over the top. Just a subtle conversation starter that people and military members could appreciate. We created the custom wood pieces for the bedsides out of oak plywood and had them machined. We picked out the color and interior to complete the subtle and classy military look.”
The results speak for themselves. This 3100 is a show stopper in every sense. “This project has meant so much to me over the years while we were building it. Seeing the reaction at all the shows and how many military members there are in the car community is amazing. This truck has gathered so much attention and it’s always great to talk to so many veterans at the shows.”
At the end of the day, one message always seems to ring true. “I have won a couple car shows and that was great. But with all the time and money I put into this truck, the day i finally saw it done with all the choices and styles I had picked, it was just amazing to see how it turned out. The color, the interior – everything was perfect and I couldn’t have imagined it to turn out any better. With all the years of work on it to see it turn out how it did was amazing.”
We agree, Matthew. Keep spreading the good word. We’re proud to have you in the CK Truck Mag family. And we thank you for your service.
MATTHEW FOXWORTHY ‘53 3100
- 2016 Chevrolet 6.2L LS3 Connect and Cruise crate motor
- Hooker cast iron headers
- Custom stainless 2.5” exhaust system by Those Guys Rods and Customs
- Flowmaster Super HP-2 dual with resonators
- Scott’s Hot Rods aluminum fuel tank
- 4L65E transmission
- Scott’s Hot Rods Super Slam Chassis
- Chassis powdercoated in Kinsport Gray
- Slam Specialties air bags
- Ridetech air management
- Dual 3-gallon air tanks
- Hard lines throughout entire chassis
- Moser Engineering rear axle with 3.70 ring & pinion
- Scott’s Hot Rods panhard bar
- Ridetech shocks
- Wilwood 4-piston calipers
- Rack & pinion steering
- Flaming River steering column
- Curtis Speed 18” Smoothie wheels with custom caps
- Diamond Back tires
- Dark Green Moss paint and body by Nathan Wood at Apex Collision Center in Shelton, WA
- Shaved vents, custom wood panels, bed floor raised for rear suspension
- Original-look LED headlights
- Dakota Digital gauges
- Retro Sound head unit
- Pioneer amp
- Infinity speakers
- JL Audio W010 subwoofer
- Vintage Air climate control
- Sparc Industries billet steering wheel
- Glide Engineering seat
- Door panels and seat covered in Saloon Texas Crest Leather by Tony “Stitches” Miller in Poulsbo, WA
- German square weave carpet