Jim and Carol Simpson of Ormond Beach, Florida purchased their 1956 Chevy 3100 Pickup in Polk County about 5 years ago. The ‘56 looked “OK” at that time, but it needed a makeover. After searching for two years Jim and Carol found a shop that they felt comfortable with to do the restoration, and the ‘56 was completely taken apart and every nut and bolt was updated. They admitted they didn’t envision rebuilding every aspect of the truck - but as with so many projects, it just evolved that way. In fact the two joked that many days Carol would say to Jim, “Me or the truck”. Fortunately for Jim he still has Carol....and the truck!

Doug Corol of Douglas Corol Auto Restoration in Bunnell, Florida was the visionary and creator of the finished project you see pictured here. Doug, Jim and Carol worked as a team to discuss the many alternatives, then moved forward as a team as Doug made it a reality.

The exterior received lots of attention to ensure that it was super smooth, then finished with attractive paint from House of Kolor in a subtle two-tone scheme that consists of Tangelo Pearl with Bittersweet accents on the back of the cab, the interior, and in the bed - which was treated to Brazilian curly cherry wood slats, and mini tubs to accommodate the 20x15 inch billet wheels wrapped in 31x18x20 Mickey Thompson rubber. Up front the rims are 18x7, suspended by a Mustang II front end, with disc brakes on all four corners.

Opening the hood you’ll find a color matched 572 cubic inch crate motor residing in the immaculate engine compartment. Fitted with an 850 Demon double pumper carb, Summit electrical fuel system, and Zoops pulleys, the package pumps out a potent 620 horsepower - which is evident by the throaty rumble out of the Sanderson headers with 3-inch exhaust pipes and Borla racing mufflers. Jim told us that one thing he definitely wanted in his hot rod was a clutch, so you’ll find a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission behind the motor, with the power winding up at a 12 bolt posi rear end fitted with 4.11:1 gears.

The interior accommodations were the work of Ed Schreck of Schreck’s Custom Upholstery & Auto Trim, and features ostrich and leather upholstery. White faced gauges in a billet cluster are accented by various other billet accents, including a tilt steering column topped by a billet aluminum steering wheel half-wrapped in ostrich.

The project was completed just in time for the 2008 Turkey Run inside Daytona International Speedway. Recently retired, since finishing the truck Doug and Carol have been enjoying going to the local car shows, and have a great time meeting people that are as crazy as themselves, who also like old cars. With the crowd that their ‘56 Chevy Pickup draws on any given outing, there is certainly no shortage of people to strike up a conversation with - and forge new friendships. CN