1952 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup

Cruising South 6th Avenue in Tucson, Arizona, was something you did during the mid ’90s. It was the place to be seen, a place to show off your latest mods, and for Phillip Canales, he can attest to the times he spent there as an 18-year-old.

Phillip was one of the many faces in the crowd. Young, eager, and intent on hitting the streets with a ride of his own. Little did he know when or how it would take place. What he did know is that he wanted to hit the streets hard, and soon thereafter his parents noticed his passion for lowriding and made him a deal. The deal was that as long as he attended school, they would help with his passion of cars.

The family sat down and decided that only a Chevy would do. So after some wheeling and dealing, they would eventually wind up with a 1952 3100 pickup. The first step for this pickup would be a stop at the infamous Bomb Factory, where fellow club member Andy Suarez would begin this restoration by applying a custom Sea Foam Green to the frame, engine, and body. The top was then covered in a pearl Casa Blanca White with the woodgrain finishes on the dash and bed, also completed by Andy Suarez. With every piece of metal chrome plated and polished by Royal Plating in Tucson, the original 235 would then be rebuilt by Carlos “Carlitos Way” Smith at Chevy Classics. The job of installing the Sandstone Brown tweed bench seat, with original stitching, fell into the hands of Jose Luis, also of Chevy Classics. Longtime friend Tony Magana would build the wood stake that sits along the top of the bed. The remaining assembly would be take place back at Bomb Factory with the help of Johnny Arevalo.

It’s been 20 years since that 18-year-old kid was a mere spectator. That daydreamer has now gone onto represent the Old Memories for over two decades. “Without the help of my friends and family, none of my dreams would have come true,” Phillip says. “I know my projects take me away from the family. To my wife, Leslie, I would like to say thanks for your patience and understanding. But most of all, I would like to say thank you to my mom and dad who helped me become the man I am today. My dad, Pelon, never got the opportunity to see this truck completed. But I know he’s watching over me as I cruise the streets of Barrio Centro.”