In the world of custom trucks, itâs 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, itâs our duty as truck builder and as automotive enthusiasts to carry out that gemâs potential into our masterplan. With Alex and his â57 Chevy 3100 âStella,â itâs 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, letâs take it from the ground up. Sitting on a custom chassis, this â57 Chevy 3100 has a modern Mustang II front end and the complimentary 4-link in the back to keep this olâ girl under control. This truck is living proof that âbags & wheelsâ make a significant difference in the look of your truck. Managed by Accuairâs e-Level system, youâll 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 â57 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 Wilwoodâs 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 truckâs 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 Davidsonâs.
Moving on to the interior, Alexâs 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. Lokarâs floor shifter and a Dakota Digital Dash make driving Stella a breeze, and if thatâs not enough the Vintage Air handles the rest. Behind the factory-themed radio from Custom Autosound, youâll 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 Alexâs dream truck, he couldnât have taken her to where she is today without some key folks in the South Florida truck world. Dukeâs 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, Riveroâs Auto Interiors, Lindyâs 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.
Alex Alpizar ⢠â57 3100
- GM Crate LS3 6.2L
- Holley mid-mount front accessory system
- Custom powder coated CAI
- Polished throttle body
- Full custom fuel lines
- Full custom wiring harness
- Full Magnaflow custom exhaust system
- Ceramic coated headers
- 4L80 E by Monster transmission
- 9 inch rear end with 3.73 gear ratio
- Full Tilt Mustang II front end
- Rack and pinion steering, tilt wheel
- Custom 4-link and C-notch in rear
- Wilwood disc brake kit
- Wilwood black master cylinder
- Accuair eLevel full setup, 5-gallon air tank, dual Viair compressors, eLevel controller, harness, fittings, etc.
- 15X8 Wheel Vintiques
- Rear - 255/60-15 Diamond Back III
- Front - 235/60-15 Diamond Back III
- Matrix Jet Black paint
- Shaved emblems
- Silver leafing and pin striping
- Pine bed floor stained and clear coated
- Trique Mfg - Altman Easy Door latches
- Ididit tilt steering column
- Custom leather bench seat with inserts using Pendleton fabric
- German weave carpet with matte leather trim
- Lokar floor shifter
- Dakota Digital cluster
- ⢠Vintage Air with custom painted in-dash vents
- Custom Autosound head unit w/Bluetooth
- Rockford Fosgate 6x9s
- Rockford Fosgate subs and amp