Vehicle Description
1949 Chevrolet Coupe
The 1949 model was the first all-new Chevrolet since 1942, and it
was lower and more modern. Taller, flush front fenders blended into
the body sides and lower hood while pontoon-style rear fenders and
a divided windshield were retained. Chevy marketed 14 new models in
the '49 Fleetline and Styleline series. The Fleetline series had
fastbacks and came in sedan and sedan-coupe formats. Styleline
models had a traditional roof that ended where the trunk began.
There were coupe, convertible, sedan and genuine wood-bodied wagon
models in the Styleline series, (an all-steel wagon was introduced
mid-year). Each line offered plain Special trim and richer DeLuxe
trim. Rear fender enclosures, (fender skirts), were included as
part of the DeLuxe trim package.
For consignment, a slightly altered Chevrolet 2-door Styleline
coupe. Its post war and the public is hungry for new design as a
lot of carryover designs were utilized during the war years where
factory output was strictly military. This is another 350/350 combo
with power steering and power brakes, and some snappy 15-inch
chrome Cragar 5 spoke wheels.
Exterior
A trip to the dentist for this 1949 as its grille teeth have been
pulled! Now it is just the 3 horizontal bars with some inserts
round turn signals and vertical extra guards and down the lower
bumper and attached to the turn signals. All steel is bathed in
white and upfront on the round hood front, is some nice painted on
pinstripe flourishes in orange. These pinstripes frame a cloisonne
and chrome winged bowtie badge. Just below the front glass framing,
are a few cracks in the paint with some chip off. Other smaller
areas of rust bubbling and scratching and dinging are mostly
reserved for the rocker areas, lower fenders, and gaps with moving
parts of this car, (trunk, doors, hood). In back a roundish rear
glass trimmed in black weather-stripping and a beautifully curved
trunk making a downward dive with a chromed T handle and more
orange framing flourish pinstriping. A shiny curved simple bumper
is below, and dual chrome exhaust tips are peeking out on either
side. Don't forget the 15-inch chrome 5 spoke Cragar wheels on all
4 corners.
Interior
The interior restorer has taken some liberties veering away from
the original design, and it looks just great! Starting with the
dark brown vinyl buttoned for panels which have a new billet style
armrest and show just a bit of pulls in the vinyl at the bottom,
but are nicely presented. Inside broadcloth buckets in tan with
some lighter horizontal checked light and dark broadcloth inserts
are seen. A center console is now in between the seats and just
below the dash a molded cup holder/change holder is sitting
comfortably. The dash has been modernized with a single round
polished aluminum panel which houses the now new cream faced
Classic instruments in the round with shiny bezels. These cluster
in the round and there are a few small lights to indicate on or off
functions embedded here as well. The white metal dash continues
with some vertical chromed ribs for the speaker, a clock and
ashtray and lighter. Newer billet style knobs are next to the
ribbed vertical speaker panel, and just below is a newer AM/FM/CD
Player from JVC. Also seen is Vintage Air and all its vents
throughout the cabin. The rear seat has been mostly removed and now
houses the Pioneer speakers mounted into the back of the "seat". A
small pad is on the seat which is covered with shiny gold vinyl
with lots of stretch marks and folds and buttons. A wood rimmed
Grant rally steering wheel is fronting this newly restored styled
dash. The headliner is now a charcoal gray felting and is fairly
tight.
Drivetrain
Under the hood the original engine has been replaced by a 350ci V8
engine. This has a single 4-barrel carburetor atop, and a TH350
3-speed automatic transmission on back with a 10-bolt rear
axle.
Undercarriage
Some heavy surface rust is on floor pans and wheel well inner
panels. There is also some invasive rust noted in the rockers and
spare tire well in the trunk. This rust can also be noted it is
chipping off around some of the floorpan areas too. Independent
coil spring for the front, and leaf springs for the back and power
disc brakes now upfront and the power drums for the back. A glass
pack style exhaust is now in as well.
Drive-Ability
This car fired up and ran fine. It took to the test track like a
duck to water, and here it performed nicely, with good smooth
acceleration, solid braking, and lumbering but tight handling,
(face it it's a large car!). All functions were in working order
during our test drive.
Some restoration, some modification and some nice engine and newer
transmission have this a running slightly rodded version of the
1949 Chevrolet Styleline Coupe.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
