Vehicle Description
1949 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe
As is true with many immediate postwar cars, the 1949-'52 Chevrolet
Stylelines and Fleetlines are following their slightly younger
postwar counterparts to the peak of popularity. Most early-post-war
cars were simply updated '42 models. Independent automakers led off
with fresh designs as early as 1947, beating the new automobile
launches of the "Big Three." By 1949, Chevrolet was ready to tackle
all comers with its new design.
For consignment, a beautifully penned to paper design 1949
Styleline Deluxe. 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.
Owned by the current consigner since 2000, it has been on many car
tours including Nova Scotia, (4K miles with not a problem), Canada,
Iowa, Illinois, and Chevy and Glidden Tours too numerous to
mention. This is THE definition of a snappy looking driver!
Exterior
The Styleline Deluxe differs from the Fleetline Deluxe mainly on
the back design. The Styleline has a notchback design from root to
trunk, and Fleetlines have a fastback styling. There was a theory
among manufacturers that the more chrome you can put on a car, the
faster it will sell, and this car definitely believes in that
theory. A tasteful use of horizontal and vertical chromed bars for
the grille, with a badge wide trimming at the top surround, and a
nicely curved bumper below. Inset round big bezel turn signals are
on each corner of the grille, and above at the end of the rounded
front quarters is a single round headlight. A cloisonne Chevrolet
badge is in front of the hood, and atop is a wonderful clear
bakelite and chrome bullet train hood ornament, and it's pure
speed. The bulbous hood is all bathed in black like the rest of the
nicely gapped steel and shows some inclusions and small bubbles
starting to show through. It retains its shine though and looks
overall great from normal viewing distance. Slab sides are straight
and rust free, with some of that mini bubbling and inclusions as
well as polishing scratches. Pontoon styled rear fenders have a
nice stainless-steel plate in their front portions which wraps
downward to a rocker trim. The notchback trunk and corresponding
fender tops cascade downward to a wonderfully preserved rear curved
bumper. Black wheels have a central chromed moon cap and are
wrapped by thin whitewall rubber.
Interior
A swing of the doors, and we see painted sills that have some water
damage. Below this strip of metal is a mohair panel that is now
encased in plastic, and it too is showing some previous water
damage. A shiny handle and actuator is on and the crank has a cream
bakelite knob. The dual bench seats have been recovered in 2014 and
are now presented with a red background and white striped accenting
that is pure 50's styling. These coverings are excellent and sit
within a gray tub. They also have white piping and a smooth red
vinyl bolster just above the tub. A wonderful curved in V shape
dash is a full metal jacket painted black and charcoal gray. It is
peppered with bakelite pulls and knobs and of course more chrome!
In front of the original big steering wheel is the instrument
cluster all neatly within a round bump up and looking the art deco
part. In the center is a vertically ribbed chromed trimming, more
knobs and a glovebox in front of the passenger. Nifty Chevrolet
badging is top dead center and in the style of your grandmother's
handwriting. Black ribbed rubber flooring is down below and above
is a slightly water damaged but still tight mohair headliner.
Drivetrain
Consigner states the head to this 216.5ci I-6 was rebuilt in 2008.
It sits in the middle of an unrestored and nicely patina engine
bay, has a large oil bath air cleaner which filters air for a
1-barrel carburetor. An original 3-speed manual transmission is on
back pushing power rearward to a 4.11 rear axle.
Undercarriage
Surface rust is coating the entire undercarriage, and some oiling
is seen throughout. It remains structurally sound though and all
still solid with no invasive rust. Independent coil springs for the
front, and leaf springs for the back, and drum brakes are all
mourned.
Drive-Ability
It fires right up however due to a no brake situation we could not
take it for a drive. We also noted the blower fan for the interior
is in op.
With some dents and dings, patina and mohair damage for the
interior, it could be classified as a project car to bring it back
up to excellent condition. For now though fix the brakes and you'll
be off and running in what we can definitely call a driver's
survivor that has logged many tours and drives, all with great
memories. A nostalgic collection of notepads from the early 1970's
documents service history, as well as fuel fill ups and MPG
achieved.
VIN DECODE
9GJJ19260
9-Norwood, OH Assy Plant
G-1949
J-Styleline
J-November
19260-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 49 1269-1949 1500 Series 4 Door Sedan
BODY NO N2754-Norwood Body #
TRIM NO 156-Tan Striped Pile Fabric
PAINT NO 385-Mayland Black
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.