1956 Chevy 3100

A Purple Masterpiece: My Journey to Owning a 1956 Chevy 3100

By Zach Lomasney

It’s not every day that you trade two modern performance machines for a single classic truck, but that’s exactly what I did. My BMW M4 Competition (manual) and Kawasaki Z900 were both incredible in their own ways, yet the moment the offer came across my phone for a 1956 Chevy 3100, I knew this was going to be one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

This isn’t just any ’56 Chevy. Drenched in Rothflake Beatnik Purple and sitting low and proud on 20” Foose Legend wheels wrapped in Diamondback whitewall tires, this truck blends hot rod attitude with show car elegance. Under the hood sits a built 2000 Corvette LS1—tuned by TurboJoe—with a mild Crane cam, Holley Sniper EFI, and a healthy 400+ horsepower sent through a 4L60E overdrive transmission. The GM 8.5” rear end with 3.73 gears, full exhaust with headers, and four-wheel disc brakes make sure it sounds as good as it stops.

The chassis is all business too: a Heidts frame with four-link rear and Mustang II independent front suspension. Inside, Dakota Digital gauges, a full custom leather and billet interior, and a wrapped ash bed floor elevate the driving experience. Vintage air conditioning, Bluetooth audio with subwoofer, and heat make it just as comfortable as it is cool.

The restoration—completed in 2020—was a frame-off, complete promod build done by Integrity in Williamstown, New Jersey (minus the body and paint, which came from a South Carolina shop). Every detail reflects the kind of care and craftsmanship that makes you want to just stare at it before you even start the engine.

The deal happened fast. On Tuesday, August 5th, 2025, the offer was made. By Friday the 8th, I was on my way. I swapped my F-150 for my dad’s F-250 Platinum, hitched up a 22x7 trailer from our family farm in Ruffin, South Carolina, and loaded my M4 and Z900. At 1:00 a.m., my friend John Tomaine and I met at the Concourse Car Storage in Hilton Head Island, where the truck was ready to go with the vehicles loaded up. By 1:30 a.m., we were heading toward Chatsworth, Georgia—six hours away, not counting the inevitable Atlanta traffic.

We arrived at 8:45 a.m., running on nothing but fuel stops and coffee. And there it was—my future truck—gleaming in the morning light. It was even more stunning in person. The owner and I gave each-other test rides: he piloted the truck, I drove him in the M4. We both returned with grins stretching ear to ear after each ride.

This was more than just a transaction. The previous owner traded not for profit, but for passion—matching his own newly acquired 2017 M4 Competition with his son’s so they could carve the mountain roads together, one last hoorah before life pulls them in different directions.

I respect that. And now, I get to carry on the legacy of this ’56 Chevy 3100—a piece of rolling art, a machine with soul, and a story I’ll be telling for the rest of my life.