Reborn in Red – Riggs Fabrication Gives New Life to a Long Term Family Owned 1952 Chevy 3100
Winning a nod as a LMC Truck of the Year Early finalist takes more than flawless sheet metal, killer craftsmanship, and the right attitude. The trucks that rise to the top usually have a story, and Bryan Sumruld’s voluptuous ’52 Chevy has one more than 40 years in the making.
Long before it wore brilliant red paint and a low, purposeful stance, the Chevy was a tired work truck that Bryan’s father dragged home in the early 1980s after completing a ’46 Chevy pickup rebuild. The old ’52 became the family’s next project, and for a young Bryan, it marked the beginning of a lifelong love affair with classic trucks.
Together, father and son spent countless evenings in the garage disassembling the pickup, labeling parts, turning wrenches, and learning lessons that reached far beyond restoring old iron. After several years of work, the Chevy returned to the road in John Deere Green, a color selected by Bryan’s mother. The family then spent weekends piling into the pickup for local car shows.
As Bryan grew up and evolved, so did the truck. It received a 327c.i. small-block, TH350 automatic, and 3.90 posi rearend, and was reborn in Guards Red paint. It also survived more than its share of hard miles, accidents, and rebuilds. Eventually, career and family responsibilities sidelined the Chevy, and it sat quietly for more than a decade waiting for its next chapter.
That page turned in 2021 when Bryan entrusted the truck to Jay Riggs and the talented crew at Riggs Fabrication. The result is a masterful blend of classic fat-fender styling and modern performance. A No Limit Engineering chassis with air suspension gives the Chevy its slinky stance, while Wilwood disc brakes provide modern stopping power. Motivation comes from a 455-horsepower Chevrolet Performance 6.2-liter LT1 backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. A Holley intake and accessory drive enhance the appearance, while U.S. Mags wheels wrapped in Nitto tires turn the power into motion.
The body is finished in BASF Lexus Infrared Red, a fiery contrast to the truck’s previous colors. Inside, TMI upholstery, Classic Instruments gauges, Vintage Air, and a custom under-dash panel blend vintage character with modern comfort, creating a cockpit equally at home on a Sunday coffee run or at a car show.
Sadly, Bryan’s father passed away before the truck was finished. But every progress photo, fabrication update, and milestone was shared between them while the build was underway. Today, any trophy the Chevy earns is a tribute to the father who started it all, yet Bryan sees his legacy in quieter moments, too. In the deep red paint, curvy sheet metal, and light reflecting off the chrome, memories of his dad and the old days continue to shine on.
Congratulations to Bryan Sumruld on being named a Finalist for Goodguys 2026 LMC Truck of the Year (Early) with their 1952 Chevy 3100 built by Riggs Fabrication!
Photos: John Jackson
