STELLA

In the world of custom trucks, it’s a privilege and a blessing to find a clean project to recreate. Some of us get lucky with an old farm truck, others had a single-cab handed down to them, while others are still searching for that perfect canvas. When we are fortunate enough to stumble across a gem, it’s our duty as truck builder and as automotive enthusiasts to carry out that gem’s potential into our masterplan. With Alex and his ’57 Chevy 3100 “Stella,” it’s the workings of a now-retired Harley Davidson mechanic who was simply looking for a reliable cruiser. With just a few small details, and a breath of new life into the 64 year old pickup, Alex has brought the best out of this hottie and cruises the streets of Miami for all to appreciate her.

To start, let’s take it from the ground up. Sitting on a custom chassis, this ’57 Chevy 3100 has a modern Mustang II front end and the complimentary 4-link in the back to keep this ol’ girl under control. This truck is living proof that “bags & wheels” make a significant difference in the look of your truck. Managed by Accuair’s e-Level system, you’ll find the c-notched frame in the rear with dual Viair compressors and a 5-gallon tank. To keep it modern, yet period correct, a not-so-factory LS3 was chosen to scoot this big-fender rig around town with all the additional front drive addons from Holley to tie it all up. Running on the stock cam and internals, the jet-black ’57 pickup has a 4L80 from Monster underneath mated to a Ford 9-inch rear end.

Alex chose to swap out the 64-year-old drum brakes for a more-than-sufficient set of Wilwood’s in the front and rear. Keeping the shoes period correct on this classic, 15×8 Smoothies from Wheel Vintiques were the wheel-winner along with a matching set of Diamond Back III tires. On both the interior and window-brow features, the truck’s jet black paint has pops of royal blue and silver leaf throughout the build, a tribute to the previous owners theme on one of his many Harley Davidson’s.

Moving on to the interior, Alex’s the build kicks it up a couple notches. He chose a complete overhaul on the interior and his friends at Rivero & Lindys Auto Upholstery delivered. Starting with a custom leather bench seat, complimented with genuine Pendleton fabric , this pickup is decked out from head to toe once you step inside. Lokar’s floor shifter and a Dakota Digital Dash make driving Stella a breeze, and if that’s not enough the Vintage Air handles the rest. Behind the factory-themed radio from Custom Autosound, you’ll find a full house from Rockford Fosgate. Featuring 6×9 speakers in the doors and cab corners, all of the tunes you need are controlled with modern Bluetooth technology.

Although Stella is Alex’s dream truck, he couldn’t have taken her to where she is today without some key folks in the South Florida truck world. Duke’s Miami is where this truck can be found when attending any of the local meet ups, or parked up with the Florida Hot Rods. Alex would like to thank his family, Rivero’s Auto Interiors, Lindy’s Auto Upholstery, and SoCal Suspension for making this build come full circle, and ultimately the vision he dreamt up when he was handed the keys.