1949' Chevrolet

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 cloisonn 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. Dont 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 its 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.