1951 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe

1951 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe

1951 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe

1951 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe

INTRODUCTION:The Chevy Fleetline Deluxe like all other Chevy's produced in 1951 had a newly designed grille. The lower two horizontal bars extended to form a circular frame for oblong parking lamps.

HIGHLIGHTS:Two-door Fleetline models were the most expensive model at initial purchase, while four-door Fleetline's lacked available new or used exterior trim parts. The interior of the Fleetline was available in blue, gray or green two-tone with a dash painted to perfectly match the interior color. Under the hood, two engines were offered, the 216.5-cu. in or the 235-cu. in. 'Blue Flame' inline six-cylinder. On the Deluxe trim, a powerglide automatic transmission was available and mandated the selection of the 105hp 235. Powerglide-equipped vehicles were fitted with an automatic choke incidentally; meanwhile manual transmission vehicles had a manual choke. By 1952, these mechanicals seemed quite backward, but nevertheless, the engines still provided adequate performance for just daily driving.

SPECIFICATION:Mechanically, these were typical late-Forties Chevrolet, powered by the 1937-design 216-cubic-inch inline six, which produced 92 horsepower. The new Powerglide automatic transmission was introduced for 1950, and cars so-equipped got a 105-horsepower 235-cubic-inch six borrowed from Chevy's trucks.

DESIGN:The Fleetline shown here spent most of its life in California and Arizona. Steve Bergin of Barrington, Illinois, bought it from the original owner in 1988, and gave it a meticulous body-off restoration. The car has the standard three-speed manual transmission. Options including turn signals, a radio, fog lights, fender skirts, rocker-panel trim, and a sun visor.