Vehicle Description
1948 Chevrolet Fleetline 2 Door Aero Sedan
After nearly four war years in which no civilian passenger cars had
been produced, Detroit could have sold anything with wheels that
went round and round. Chevrolet, along with most of its
competitors, shrewdly elected to serve up existing models. After
all, the paid for factory tooling was already in place, and the
demand for new cars was unprecedented.
Damn thetorpedoes and focus yourperiscope this latest consignment
to roll through the fabled doors of our Hallowed Halls. Presented
as an older restoration with the odometer showing 79,040 non
verifiable miles, as the title shows a mileage exemption, we have
in our midst a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Aero back sedan and what a
looker it is. Pontoon fenders, check. Gobs of chrome, check check.
Lots of good old fashioned rust free Detroit iron, check check and
triple check, and we are off...
Exterior
Chevrolet was kicking some styling butt in 1948 and looking at the
sleek forward facing lines of this car it could be moving, but it's
standing still. Even so it is still moving...our eyes visually,
from the swept forward "B" pillar to its voluptuous fenders and
sleek and stylish down curved aero back "boot" this car just drips
late 40's styling. The tall standing knobby hood sits proudly above
a chromed grille and bumper assembly. A shout out to the hood
ornament with its clear insert, just fab. The back of the car just
uses curved lines to their max with not a straight line seen
anywhere, even the tail lights. These bulbous steel panels are
sprayed in a color change repaint of Windsor Blue for the lowersand
Lake Como Blue taking over at the upper belt line and drenching the
swooping roof and trunk. The paint job is showing age with orange
peel, visible body filler under the finish and a few semi sanded
runs. We note some invasive rust on the lower door jambs, but that
remains the only invasive rust on the body. No 40's car would be
complete without fender skirts on the rear fenders,
particularlyones dressed with 3 stainless trimmings thatpick up
again on the front and rear fenders. Keeping thisbowtie icon
rolling along are 16-inch wide whitewalls and their Chevrolet
badged caps.
Interior
A swing of the door and we are met with door panels making use of
beautiful grained faux wood for the interior window surrounds and
cloth for the center panels along with some saddlevinyl adding in a
little extra eye appeal. Chromed door handles and cranks are framed
with cream bakelite bezels, and present very nicely. Looking at the
very utilitarian, but functional dash, we see an alignment of
rectangular gauges to driver's left and a speedo on the right which
is attached to a wonderful horizontal chromed speaker frame and
ending on the other side in a clock. Cream bakelite knobs are noted
and have a beautifully aged color which contrasts to the dark tan
metal paint sprayed dash. Like newtan striped broadcloth fabric
covers the front split bench and rear couchlike bench seats which
show little to no wear Tan low pile carpet floats the uber clean
seats and above, the headliner is showing some staining, (maybe
from glue, maybe water?). The steering wheel, and shift lever knob
are in good condition, but both show some wear.
Drivetrain
A heave and a hoe of the bulbous hood reveals a 216ci inline 6
cylinder engine residing in the near operating room clean engine
bay. A 1-barrel carburetor feeds the engine, and it is attached to
a 3-speed manual transmission. On the rear end is an axle weighing
in with a 4.11 ratio.
Undercarriage
Black paint covers the frame, floor pans, and body hangers and
there is no invasive rust to be seen. The inner rockers, however,
show with some invasive rust and amateur repairs. Independent coil
spring suspension is on the front while leaf springs bring up the
rear. 4 wheel drum brakes are noted as is a clean single piped
exhaust system. Basic, clean and ready to deliver.
Drive-Ability
I slid behind the wheel and was transported back in time; things
were simpler then. A turn of the key and a push of the starter
pedal and she came to life. Performance was adequate, as was
braking and handling. A real pleasure to drive and save for a non
functional radio all was good, but the dronings of my crack Spec
Writer more than makes up for the lack of tunes on the AM band.
While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were
working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these
functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
A lovingly cared for recycled design from pre-WW2 carried over in
the post war years. Having stood the tests of time andstill looking
good after itsrestoration 35 years ago, this icon of Chevrolet is
now residing in our West mallway at the Classic Auto Mall ready for
you to scoop her up and preserve the legacy.
FK146994
F-1948
K-Fleetline/Fleetmaster
1-January Build
46994-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 48 1077-1948 Fleetmaster 2 Door Aero Sedan
BODY NO M16936-Baltimore Body #
TRIM NO 153-Tan Striped Fabric
PAINT NO 379-Battleship Gray Metallic & Dove Gray Metallic
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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