You’ve seen the photos. A gleaming, deep-red 1950s pickup truck that looks like it just rolled off a movie set, only there’s no rattling straight-six engine and no smell of unburnt gasoline. It’s the Kindred Chevy 3100 EV, and honestly, it’s one of those vehicles that makes purists grit their teeth and tech geeks drool.
But here is the thing. Most people look at a restomod—especially an electric one—and think it’s just a battery swap. They think someone pulled a motor out of a wrecked Tesla, bolted it to a rusty frame, and called it a day.
That is not what’s happening here. Not even close.
Why the Kindred Chevy 3100 EV Isn't Just a "Battery Swap"
When Kindred Motorworks, based out of a massive former naval shipyard in Vallejo, California, decided to tackle the Chevy 3100, they didn't just want a cool-looking truck. They wanted a vehicle that wouldn't leave you stranded on the side of the PCH because a 70-year-old wire finally decided to quit.
Basically, they treat the restoration like an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) process. They spent thousands of hours prototyping. We aren't talking about "custom" builds where every car is a one-off experiment. Kindred uses what they call Blueprint technology. Every bolt, every torque spec, and every wire routing is documented and repeatable.
The Bones of the Beast
The original Chevy 3100, produced between 1947 and 1953, was a workhorse. It was meant for farmers and delivery drivers. It rode like a tractor because, well, it kind of was one. Kindred throws that ride quality out the window.
- Suspension: They swapped the old leaf springs for a modern double-wishbone front suspension.
- Steering: You get power rack-and-pinion steering. No more "arm day" just to pull into a parking spot.
- Brakes: Four-wheel power disc brakes. If you've ever tried to stop a 3,000-pound vintage truck with original drum brakes, you know why this matters. It’s the difference between a controlled stop and a prayer.
The Electric Heart: Grayback EVP
The most controversial part for the "no replacement for displacement" crowd is the powertrain. The Kindred Chevy 3100 EV runs on the company’s proprietary Grayback Electric Vehicle Platform.
It’s a 294-horsepower direct-drive AC motor. Now, 294 horses might not sound like "Tesla Plaid" numbers, but in a truck this light? It’s punchy. You get that instant electric torque that makes the truck feel way more alive than the original underpowered 216-cubic-inch Thriftmaster engine ever could.
The range is roughly 200 miles on a full charge, powered by a 74-kWh battery pack supplied by KORE Power. Is it a cross-country hauler? No. But let’s be real: nobody is driving a 1951 Chevy from New York to LA. It’s a weekend cruiser, a "trip to the farmer's market" vehicle, and for that, 200 miles is plenty.
The "Modern Vintage" Interior
Inside, it’s a weird, beautiful mix of 1950 and 2026. You sit on a bench seat—classic—but it’s wrapped in high-end leather and it’s heated.
The gauge cluster looks like the original. It has that period-correct font and the chrome rings. But look closer. Instead of a fuel gauge, you have a battery percentage indicator. Instead of oil pressure, you’re seeing kilowatt usage.
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There’s a touchscreen too. It’s tucked into the dash and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s even a rotary gear selector that replaces the old "three-on-the-tree" shifter. It’s clean. It’s functional. It doesn't feel like someone glued an iPad to the dashboard as an afterthought.
What It Actually Costs (Hold Your Breath)
Look, excellence isn't cheap. The Kindred Chevy 3100 EV starts at $169,000.
Yes, you read 그 right.
For that price, you could buy a couple of brand-new Rivians or a fleet of Ford F-150 Lightnings. But that’s missing the point. You aren't buying a utility tool; you’re buying a piece of functional art. You’re paying for the 10,000+ hours of engineering that went into making a 75-year-old truck feel like a brand-new luxury car.
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Key Specs at a Glance
- Donor Years: 1947–1953 Chevy 3100
- Power: 294 hp / Rear-wheel drive
- Battery: 74 kWh (KORE Power modules)
- Range: ~200 miles
- Charging: 6.6 kW on-board charger (Level 2 takes about 9 hours)
- Price: Starting at $169,000
The "Usability" Argument
Founder Rob Howard often talks about how most vintage cars just sit in garages because they’re a pain to drive. They leak oil. They don't start when it's cold. They’re loud and vibrate until your teeth hurt.
The Kindred philosophy is that a car is meant to be used. By electrifying the 3100, they’ve removed the "barrier to entry" for vintage ownership. You don't need to be a mechanic to own this. You just plug it in.
Is it Right for You?
If you’re a purist who believes the smell of gasoline is sacred, you’ll hate this truck. You’ll see it as a "soul-less" version of a legend.
But if you love the aesthetic of the 1950s—the curves, the chrome, the split windshield—but you want a car that actually works when you turn the key (or press the button), this is the pinnacle.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Your Local EV Laws: Some states offer specific registration tiers for "electromods" or vintage conversions that can save you on registration fees.
- Evaluate Your Charging Needs: With a 6.6 kW charger, you’ll definitely want a Level 2 (240V) setup at home. A standard wall outlet will take days to charge this thing.
- Visit Mare Island: If you're serious about the $169k investment, Kindred often does shop tours. Seeing the engineering "Blueprint" process in person usually justifies the price tag for most buyers.
- Consider the Donor: Kindred can source a truck for you, or in some cases, you can provide the "soul" (the donor vehicle) yourself if it fits the 1947-1953 specs.
Owning a Kindred Chevy 3100 EV is about making a statement that the past is worth saving, even if we have to change what's under the hood to do it. It’s a bridge between two eras, and it’s built to last another 70 years.