Truck Early Finalist 1953 Chevy 3100 Adams Customs

Custom Extended Cab 1953 Chevy 3100 by Adams Customs

Some old cars and trucks stay with one owner for three or four decades. Others change hands every few years. For 20-year-old Bryce Adams, the current version of the family’s 1953 Chevy 3100 pickup showcases his work and continues an evolution that began when his father bought the truck in 1989 at the age of 15.

Truck Early Finalist 1953 Chevy 3100 Adams Customs

Bryce’s father Todd drove the truck through high school and college. Todd later customized the pickup into a ride that earned a magazine appearance as one of the first extended-cab Advanced Design customs, complete with bright yellow paint and graphics. Bryce’s grandparents then enjoyed the truck until 2021, when Todd assumed the caretaker role. At that point, Bryce and his brother Tyler had launched Adams Customs, and another version of the family truck began.

Truck Early Finalist 1953 Chevy 3100 Adams Customs

All the work on the latest version of their 1953 Chevy 3100 was completed in the family garage in Tucson, Arizona. Mounted on a custom frame, Aldan American coil-over shocks provide support on the Scott’s Hotrods ’n Customs independent front suspension and four-bar rear. A 9-inch rearend houses 3.70 gears and Wilwood disc brakes are mounted on all four corners behind Schott wheels 20×8.5- and 20×12-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin rubber.

Truck Early Finalist 1953 Chevy 3100 Adams Customs

Under the hood, power comes from a GM 6.2-litre LS3 that produces 495 horsepower. Summit Racing two-piece valve covers are painted to match the truck’s exterior, along with the intake manifold and air intake. A Holley mid-mount drive system keeps the water pump and A/C compressor turning, while exhaust waste flows through Doug Thorley headers, 3-inch stainless steel exhaust pipes, and Borla mufflers. The 6L80 automatic overdrive transmission is controlled by a Lokar shifter.

Truck Early Finalist 1953 Chevy 3100 Adams Customs

The extensive body modifications involve more than the extended cab. A later-model bed has been narrowed and mated with original fenders. The wood bed floor features a hinged center section that reveals the fuel tank and rear suspension components. In addition to massaging gaps and removing emblems, the headlights are frenched and upgraded with LED units. The sheet metal is covered with Sherwin Williams Sunfire Land Rover Kent Green paint, applied by Bryce.

Truck Early Finalist 1953 Chevy 3100 Adams Customs

Truck Early Finalist 1953 Chevy 3100 Adams Customs

Inside the cab a modified stock dash is filled with Dakota Digital Retrotech gauges and a Sparc steering wheel sits on an Ididit column. In keeping with the updated interior style, the Snowden bucket seats and custom rear seat are covered in tan Learjet leather. A Vintage Air system keeps the cab cool, while Lokar handles and pedals complement the design. A custom console houses the shifter, cup holders, and other control switches.

The latest version of the Adams family’s 1953 Chevy 3100 is a more impressive than ever and should be good to cruise for years to come.

Truck Early Finalist 1953 Chevy 3100 Adams Customs

Photos by Michael Christensen

Dave Doucette is a long-time Goodguys member with a career in newspaper, magazine and website journalism. He was one of the founding editors of USA TODAY, editor of two daily newspapers and co-owner of a magazine publishing and trade show company. He owns and operates Real Auto Media. His first car was a 1947 Ford; he has owned Camaros, Firebirds, El Caminos and a 1956 Chevy that was entered in shows from California to Florida before being sold last year. He was one of the original Goodguys Rodders Reps and served as president of two classic Chevy clubs. Doucette grew up in South Florida, avidly following the racing exploits of local hero Ollie Olsen and, of course, Don Garlits. He remembers riding his bicycle to Briggs Cunningham’s West Palm Beach factory to peak through the fence at his Sebring and LeMans racers.