This 1956 Chevrolet 3100 roadster pickup was built by Scott’s Hotrods of Knoxville, Tennessee, and featured in a 2004 episode of TLC’s show Rides. Dubbed “Heavy Metal” in homage to its all-steel bodywork, the truck is powered by a supercharged 5.7-liter LS1 V8 backed by a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a Speedway Engineering quick-change rear end. It rides on a reinforced and boxed frame with a SuperSlam independent front assembly, a four-link rear setup with a Panhard bar, Air Ride Technologies air springs, rack-and-pinion steering, Wilwood discs, and Colorado Custom 18” and 20” wheels. Additional highlights include a unitary cab and cargo bed with a shaved exterior, a chopped windshield, and flush-mounted lighting as well as leather and alligator skin upholstery, a billet steering wheel, and Classic Instruments gauges. After the initial build was completed, the truck was unveiled at the Detroit Autorama, featured in Motor Trend and Custom Classic Trucks, and displayed at SEMA in 2006. An ARC audio system was later added to the cargo bed, and work performed since the seller’s acquisition in 2024 has involved overhauling the suspension, refreshing the upholstery, installing an Alpine head unit, and replacing the starter and spark plugs. “Heavy Metal” is now offered with a DVD set, trophies, a display board, and a clean Texas title in the seller’s name.
Modifications to the steel body started with removing the cab roof and door window frames. A front valance was joined to the reshaped fenders, the cowl was filled, and the windshield frame was chopped, while a tubular support structure was fabricated to support the cargo bed, which was integrated with the back of the cab. The rear fenders were widened and merged with the side steps and rear roll pan.
After the bodywork was completed, Ferrari Rosso Corsa DuPont paint and clearcoat were applied, per the seller. Key design elements include headlights sourced from a Mercedes-Benz, polished grille bars, flush-mounted LED taillights, and dual exhaust outlets that pass through the rear corners. The seller notes hairline cracks in the paint and touched-up chips that are shown up close in the gallery.
Tubular crossmembers were welded onto the boxed frame rails, and the rear section was arced to accommodate the rear axle. A Scott’s SuperSlam independent front assembly and four-link rear setup were also added along with a Panhard bar. The upper and lower ball joints, spindles, and suspension bushings were replaced in December 2024, and the Air Ride Technologies air suspension was refreshed.
Colorado Custom 18×8” front and 20×12” rear wheels are wrapped in Nitto tires with redline sidewall accents. The truck is equipped with power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, and polished Wilwood calipers are matched with drilled and slotted rotors measuring 13” up front and 12” out back.
Jessie’s Upholstery in Ventura, California, trimmed the interior in beige leather, alligator skin, and bound wool carpets. A waterfall center console houses control panels for the air suspension as well as a display screen connected to a DVD player mounted under the passenger seat. The alligator accents were re-dyed under current ownership, and a Bluetooth-capable Alpine head unit was installed. American Autowire supplied the truck’s wiring.
The Colorado Custom steering wheel is mounted to an Ididit tilt column with Borgeson U-joints, and a Classic Instruments 120-mph speedometer and a combination gauge are mounted ahead of the driver. The six-digit odometer shows 1,500 miles, approximately 300 of which have been added under current ownership.
The upholstery scheme carries over the cargo bed, which houses ARC Audio amplifiers and subwoofers within custom enclosures. The rear wheel wells were tubbed during the build.
The 5.7-liter GM Performance LS1 V8 is equipped with a polished Magnuson supercharger, a Superchips ECU, and Rewarder headers that flow into a stainless-steel dual exhaust system with a crossover pipe and Flowmaster mufflers. Body-color ignition coil covers have been added, and the radiator is cooled by a SPAL electric fan. The starter, spark plugs, ignition wires, and oil were replaced under current ownership. A prop is required to hold up the hood.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Bowler Performance 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a Speedway Engineering Super Max quick-change rear end. Scrapes are noted on the undersides.
The car is titled as a 1956 Chevrolet using the Arizona Assigned VIN AZ375024.
A collection of trophies will accompany the truck along with a Rides DVD set and other items that are shown in the gallery.