As bold and distinctive as it may appear today, the Chevrolet Deluxe was the mainstay of the Chevrolet range through the late 1940s and early 1950s, with a myriad of body styles from drop-head coupé through to panel van.
This one is one of the most desirable and unusual variants. A two-door ‘Styleline’ Coupé, which features the same rugged powertrain and running gear as the more ordinary models, but in a sharper, leaner and more aesthetic package. It’s a sought-after car as a result.
Restored by the vendor over three years in his domestic garage, with only a few jobs outsourced to high-end specialists, the Chevy is a wonderful restoration into which he has invested a lot of time and love. But there’s a new Chevy on the horizon, so this one needs to go to clear a not-insubstantial space.p1eP3lPneaRjH1yT08FFfVOGvaixHHwI1ve7pyP0.jpeg1.18 MB
Inside, this car is amazing. It was professionally retrimmed by a well-known upholsterer in Norfolk and the quality of their work is phenomenal. The seats are trimmed in a cream and grey diamond-stitch leatherette and are immaculate, while there are some gorgeous details such as the rear speakers in the shape of musical notes (they’re hooked up to a discreet modern Bluetooth head unit) and a column-mounted vacuum fan to provide extra ventilation for the driver.
The headlining is faultless, the carpets near new, the dash immaculately presented in body colour with beautiful over-styled dials and switchgear. It’s a wonderful place to sit and take in the 1950s ambience that this car exudes all over. V3Si5K1SLnxVn6jTAR6Gqpz7UuFDQPG44e66Jb65.jpeg1.19 MB
THE EXTERIOR
Superb underneath
Upgraded LED headlamps
Tow bar
All chrome redone in triple chrome heavy-duty finish
Finished in a pale, almost patel Sage Green, the Chevy is an absolutely stunning car to look at – its curvaceous lines, drop-away rear end and soulful grille giving it a look that completely epitomises American car styling of the era. It’s gorgeous.
And that applies to its condition, too. During its restoration the car was completely stripped back, and the door shuts, engine bay and boot compartment were taken to bare metal and repainted. The chassis is also in excellent order and has been treated to keep future corrosion at bay.
It has been converted to radial tyres all-round and the chrome has all been completely stripped back and redone, finished in a triple-chrome coating for better longevity than the mass-produced original parts.
As part of the car’s rebuild, the engine was overhauled by the vendor and a number of new parts were fitted. It’s had a new carburettor, water pump, a rebuilt fuel pump, along with a new fuel tank, sender unit, conical wheel bearings, brake shoes and cylinders. In addition the cylinder head and the steering box were overhauled.
It has also had a 12v electric conversion, but the alternator has been rebuilt to look like a dynamo for the ultimate period appeal.
The OHV six is a smooth, unstressed engine which the vendor describes as in great running order, with a three-speed “three-on-the-tree” column-shift gearbox. 6V4wdDhPDM9Tr8p5b9YzQx9mxigz9ndmqrqjNPGu.jpeg1.36 MB
SUMMARY
Put simply, this car is an absolute beauty. It has won a number of prizes, and that’s hardly surprising as it has been restored with a finite eye for detail by an owner who has clearly loved and adored it and is only selling it as he has a new Chevrolet project on its way. It’s in absolutely stunning condition and is a wonderful car to look at, sit in and drive. A true American gem.
