Vehicle Description
In the years immediately following the Second World War, Chevrolet
used much of its prewar tooling in its model range, including the
Fleetmaster line. Options and amenities increased, but the
well-designed Chevrolets were mostly unchanged during the late
1940s as business boomed with a car-starved American public.
According to period records, this model was powered by a 90
horsepower 216.5 cubic inch Thriftmaster straight-six. The
transmission is a column-shift three-speed manual. Chevy offered
several body styles, including a coupe, town sedan, convertible and
two-door fastback sedan. Commercial vehicles built on this
passenger car chassis were popular then and now, but rarely seen
today. The utility vehicle has been an important part of motorings
history. Whether it is a large truck for heavy transport and
lifting or a small pickup truck the truck platform was the machine
that was utilized by service professionals to repair your homes
appliances in the period. Maintenance specialists would make their
welcome housecalls many times in the Sedan Delivery they offered
spaciousness for tools and parts, plus they had car-like qualities
that made the time on the road all the more comfortable and
productive.This nice 1948 example is the uncommon Stylemaster Sedan
Delivery, a large, panel-sided wagon with a large single rear door
at the back of its Fisher-built body. Finished in black, and Ernest
Machine Products Co. lettering, it is dressed with chrome hubcaps,
trim rings, and wide whitewall tires. Although designed as a work
vehicle, the importance of styling was still paramount in this
period, and Chevrolet offered up long and graceful sweeping front
fenders that pushed the car towards the styling that the 1950s
would bring while retaining the bulbous and efficient rear cabin.
This example is reported to have the original interior and looking
at the pictures it would be hard to believe it is not. Its finished
in gleaming black, and the paint is very nicely presented. There is
no shortage of chrome styling elements on this platform, and it
sparkles as when new. The front end displays enough of these
touches that many period cars would likely be put to shame.The two
factory seats are black and, as a delivery vehicle, there is
nothing behind them except for a cavernous and endlessly usable
storage area that has original wood on the floor, panel walls, and
a defined headliner. The dashboard is well-detailed to go along
with the high overall presence. Whether it is used as a different
alternative to touring with plenty of room or rolling into a local
car show, the Sedan Delivery almost always generates many stories
that are recalled from past experiences and the vehicles novelty of
design. Many businesses have been represented on the sides of the
sedan delivery body type in the era of this vehicle.
