Vehicle Description
When you think the words "different" and "Chevrolet", what comes to
mind? It's most likely NOT tri-fives, Camaros or Chevelles sitting
at the local cruise-in. What about when you think the words "cool"
and "Chevrolet"? Well, that's pretty much all classic Chevys, so
let's be more specific. What happens when you think "Chevrolet",
"different" AND "cool"? Chances are something akin to this
award-winning '51 Styleline rolls through your mind. Being an early
'50s bowtie, it's certainly different. And being a carefully
restored show stopper makes it super cool. But what makes it both
different AND cool is the fact that it mixes a proven ZZ350 with
trick paint, custom upholstery, an aggressive stance and modern
running gear. If you're looking for an awesome weekend cruiser,
your classic has arrived. Sign the papers, grab three of your
closest friends and head to the nearest car show!
BODYWORK/TRIM
Purchased as a complete build that was primed for customization,
this super clean Chevy is the beneficiary of a detailed, ground-up
restoration that wrapped in late 2003. That solid reboot is bathed
in stirring Prowler Orange Metallic 2-stage, which anchors a raft
of professionally rehabilitated brightwork. And that brilliant
flash highlights distinctive, retro character which reminds us just
how cool vintage metal can be!
Officially jumpstarting the brand's emphasis on affordability AND
form, Chevrolet's first-generation Styleline found a solid audience
with buyers who wanted more than just utility. For that reason, and
GM's willingness to take a few chances with aesthetics, many
enthusiasts cite the car as the beginning of Chevy's golden age of
design. At the front of this first-class classic, a guarded bumper
centers a small MQQN Equipment badge beneath a broad grille, veiled
headlights, a sleek hood topper and a custom bowtie header crest.
At the sides of that "Chevrolet" branded mug, polished rocker
guards and De luxe trim spears frame guarded door handles, a
guarded fuel filler and orange-tinged mirrors. At the top of those
handles, straight stainless traces tinted glass behind polished
wipers and traditional visors. And at the back of the car, a second
guarded bumper hangs a unique Center High Mount Stop Lamp between
polished exhaust tips, LED tail lamps and an orange-tinged trunk
crest.
ENGINE
Pop the hood and you'll find 350 cubic inches of Chevrolet ZZ350
crate engine that, roughly 10K miles ago, was carefully freshened
by the car's current owner. At the top of the smooth mill, a
polished, Chevrolet-branded air cleaner rides a Lokar-controlled
Holley, which drops 750cfm of air and fuel in to an Edelbrock
Endurashine intake. At the perimeter of that intake, GM Fast Burn
heads seat polished, Chevrolet-branded valve covers between a
Powermaster starter, coated block huggers and polished breathers.
Behind those breathers, a billet distributor fires loomed spark
plug wires. Opposite that chrome-capped peg, traditional V-belts
twist billet pulleys which, along with polished brackets, float a
polished alternator and chrome AC compressor over modern power
steering and an aluminum water pump. In front of those ancillaries,
a large electric fan pushes air through an attractive Griffin
radiator, which pairs billet hose clamps with a polished cap and
polished expansion tank. And details like a polished hood latch and
trick dipsticks look great inside a massaged, Prowler Orange
Metallic frame.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Naturally, that modern small block precedes a modernized,
road-ready chassis. Everything starts with a sturdy, factory-spec
frame that's been stiffened with a Fat Man crossmember. At the
center of those bones, a trusty 700R4 4-speed, installed circa
2010, bridges the gap between an aluminum driveshaft and a 2,000
RPM stall converter. That driveshaft twists power to a Nova 'Big
10' axle, which hides 3.42 gears and a posi-traction differential
behind a finned inspection cover. That road-ready pumpkin drives a
traditional, leaf spring rear-clip, which mixes adjustable air
shocks with 2-inch lowering blocks and a beefy sway bar. That clip
pushes an aftermarket front-half, which mixes tubular control arms
and adjustable Carrera coil-overs with 2-inch drop spindles and a
second beefy sway bar. Turns come courtesy of power rack-and-pinion
steering. Solid stops occur when a floor-mount booster charges
retrofitted calipers and beefy drums. Aluminized exhaust pipes send
spent gases through throaty Flowmaster mufflers. And all that
proven hardware rolls on attractive Billet Specialties blades,
which twist polished spinners inside two 235/50R17 Toyo Versado
Noirs and two 235/55R17 Toyo Versado Noirs.
INTERIOR
Between the doors, a tasteful custom interior features an agreeable
mix of tan cloth and Malibu Sand tweed. Broad bench seats are
detailed with subtle stainless hardware and a classy Impala speaker
grille. In front of those seats, a stainless-trimmed, Prowler
Orange dash hangs Hypercool 2 air conditioning beneath sedate
Classic Instruments telemetry and a requisite Guide Traffic Light
Viewer. At the bottom of that dash, a '63 Impala console floats a
Hurst Competition Shifter between billet foot pedals, a polished
emergency brake and piped floor mats that sail Medium Beige carpet.
In front of the driver, a '60 Chevy steering wheel laps a polished,
tilting column. And audio entertainment is provided by either a
12-disc JVC CD changer, which is hidden under the car's seat, or a
400-watt JVC stereo that's hidden in the car's glovebox.
AWARDS/FEATURES
Awarded a Rep/Safety Pick
- 39th Annual NSRA Street Rod Nationals South
- Knoxville, Tennessee
Featured in StreetScene Magazine
- July 2013
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
Build receipts
Component literature
A copy of the car's StreetScene Magazine feature
A consolette
A fire extinguisher
If you're looking for something a little different than a
run-of-the-mill cruiser, this awesome street rod is a fantastic
choice. Distinctive, comfortable and lovingly restored, it's a lot
of fun on the street OR at the show. Few cars make us want to just
punch out, grab the keys and hit the Carolina backroads. This Chevy
is certainly one of them!
SUMMARY
National award-winning street rod / Frame-off restoration completed
in 2003
350 cubic inch Chevrolet ZZ350 crate engine
700R4 4-speed automatic transmission / 2,000 RPM stall
converter
Hypercool II air conditioning / Modern JVC audio
Custom tweed and cloth interior
Nova 'big 10' rear axle / Posi-traction differential / 3.42
gears
Customized suspension / 2-inch lowered ride height
Power rack-and-pinion steering / Power front disc and rear drum
brakes
Prowler Orange Metallic paint / 17-inch Billet Specialties
wheels
Sale includes build receipts and a copy of the car's StreetScene
Magazine feature
