1950 Chevrolet Fleetline Classic American car
While the 1949 Fleetlineswere newly stylish with their rounded grilles, low-profile hoods and smooth fenders, their engines were holdouts from the mid 1940s. To its credit, the overhead-valve, 216.5-cu.in. straight-six was an advanced design in an age when many competitors still used outmoded L-head valve configurations. This engine, with its 3-1/2-inch bore and 3-3/4-inch stroke, produced 90hp at 3,300 rpm while breathing through a single-barrel Carter carburetor; it was mated exclusively to a column-shifted three-speed synchromesh manual transmission. DeLuxe prices ranged from $1,492 for a two-door to $1,539 for a four-door.
1950 Chevrolet Fleetline Exotic car
The Fleetline model was only built for three years. This example, shown at the 2006 Hilton Head Concours, has 27,300 miles on the odometer. All mechanical components are original an un-restored. The paint and interior have been restored. It has had the same owner since 1983. It has been a first place winner at Super Chevy for the past eleven years.
1950 Chevrolet Fleetline retro car
Driving Impressions
The Fleetline Chevrolets are blessed with a comfortable, smooth ride that was perfectly suited to the then up-and-coming interstate system: The bench seats are good perches at chair-height. Because the suspension isn't tuned for roadholding, the tires squeal with little provocation, but overall grip is comparable with other family cars of the era. The column shifter in manual-transmission cars can be notchy, but durable automatic Powerglides shift smoothly, with little of the jerkiness sometimes felt in contemporary Hydra-Matics.
The Fleetline Chevrolets are blessed with a comfortable, smooth ride that was perfectly suited to the then up-and-coming interstate system: The bench seats are good perches at chair-height. Because the suspension isn't tuned for roadholding, the tires squeal with little provocation, but overall grip is comparable with other family cars of the era. The column shifter in manual-transmission cars can be notchy, but durable automatic Powerglides shift smoothly, with little of the jerkiness sometimes felt in contemporary Hydra-Matics.
Maintenance/Support
Because of the popularity of these Chevys, there is a great base of new and used parts available from a number of restoration specialists and salvage yards. Most interior fabrics and trims are also reproduced. Die-cast exterior trim pieces are sometimes reproduced, but poor-quality pieces may require much fitting to use. Because the straight-six engines were so durable and used in many applications, they are highly regarded and quite easy for DIY mechanics with good shop manuals to tune and repair. While not as popular as later 1950s classics, Fleetlines enjoy strong club support from the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America and a number of encouraging internet web sites. VCCA also has its Historical Preservation Of Chevrolet Features (HPOC) group that showcases factory-original vehicles to aid in correct restorations
Because of the popularity of these Chevys, there is a great base of new and used parts available from a number of restoration specialists and salvage yards. Most interior fabrics and trims are also reproduced. Die-cast exterior trim pieces are sometimes reproduced, but poor-quality pieces may require much fitting to use. Because the straight-six engines were so durable and used in many applications, they are highly regarded and quite easy for DIY mechanics with good shop manuals to tune and repair. While not as popular as later 1950s classics, Fleetlines enjoy strong club support from the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America and a number of encouraging internet web sites. VCCA also has its Historical Preservation Of Chevrolet Features (HPOC) group that showcases factory-original vehicles to aid in correct restorations
1950 Chevrolet Fleetline, Luxury car
Considerations
While Fleetlines are adequately powered by their Blue Flame Sixes in either 216.5- or 235-inch forms, these splash-lubricated engines were not engineered to withstand high-rpm driving. Modern super-highway speeds can result in worn bearings and burned-out valves. Babbitt bearings can be professionally replaced by insert bearings to increase durability, and aluminum pistons from 1953-54 engines can be refitted to reduce reciprocating mass. Some owners install the low-geared Powerglide rear end behind their three-speed manual transmissions to ease highway driving, an easier modification than shortening the driveshaft to fit an overdrive. Frames are weakest where the rear axle kicks up, so be sure to check there for rust; inspect the inner and outer rocker panels, rear dogleg, headlamp bucket, and the three floor/body supports on either side of the car for similar deterioration. Stainless steel belt molding clips are easily damaged during removal, and NOS versions are very difficult to locate.
While Fleetlines are adequately powered by their Blue Flame Sixes in either 216.5- or 235-inch forms, these splash-lubricated engines were not engineered to withstand high-rpm driving. Modern super-highway speeds can result in worn bearings and burned-out valves. Babbitt bearings can be professionally replaced by insert bearings to increase durability, and aluminum pistons from 1953-54 engines can be refitted to reduce reciprocating mass. Some owners install the low-geared Powerglide rear end behind their three-speed manual transmissions to ease highway driving, an easier modification than shortening the driveshaft to fit an overdrive. Frames are weakest where the rear axle kicks up, so be sure to check there for rust; inspect the inner and outer rocker panels, rear dogleg, headlamp bucket, and the three floor/body supports on either side of the car for similar deterioration. Stainless steel belt molding clips are easily damaged during removal, and NOS versions are very difficult to locate.
Desirability
Because the overall Fleetline body style didn't change from 1949 to 1952, desirability comes down to personal choice. Single-piece bumpers (instead of the riveted three-piece ones used elsewhere) were installed only on cars built in California or Canada, and these are highly sought and aren't reproduced. Whether you prefer the early grille, simple dashboard and fairly restrained use of chrome trim on the 1949 models, the smooth grille, simple badging and two-gauge dashboard of the 1951s or the rarest two-door 1952 sedans, any of these choices will offer you a smooth-riding, distinctively styled rolling piece of early Fifties Americana.
Because the overall Fleetline body style didn't change from 1949 to 1952, desirability comes down to personal choice. Single-piece bumpers (instead of the riveted three-piece ones used elsewhere) were installed only on cars built in California or Canada, and these are highly sought and aren't reproduced. Whether you prefer the early grille, simple dashboard and fairly restrained use of chrome trim on the 1949 models, the smooth grille, simple badging and two-gauge dashboard of the 1951s or the rarest two-door 1952 sedans, any of these choices will offer you a smooth-riding, distinctively styled rolling piece of early Fifties Americana.
Values
Contradicting their far greater build numbers, two-door Fleetlines actually hold their values a bit better than their four-door siblings. The added utility of four doors seems to be offset by the two-door's smoother, less cluttered style. Powerglide-equipped sedans with 235-inch engines handle modern traffic a bit better than those with the smaller sixes, and these vintage Chevys are very reliable if owners keep their age limitations in mind; either cars work well as back-road Sunday drivers and Fifties Night cruisers. Whether in Special or DeLuxe trim, these two- or four-door sedans range in value from $2,500 to $8,500; final year and very low mileage examples may bring closer to $10,000. Whether you lived through those "Golly gee, Beaver" Fifties, or the era's mechanical simplicity and honest style appeal to you, a fastback Fleetline is a great way to... See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet!
Contradicting their far greater build numbers, two-door Fleetlines actually hold their values a bit better than their four-door siblings. The added utility of four doors seems to be offset by the two-door's smoother, less cluttered style. Powerglide-equipped sedans with 235-inch engines handle modern traffic a bit better than those with the smaller sixes, and these vintage Chevys are very reliable if owners keep their age limitations in mind; either cars work well as back-road Sunday drivers and Fifties Night cruisers. Whether in Special or DeLuxe trim, these two- or four-door sedans range in value from $2,500 to $8,500; final year and very low mileage examples may bring closer to $10,000. Whether you lived through those "Golly gee, Beaver" Fifties, or the era's mechanical simplicity and honest style appeal to you, a fastback Fleetline is a great way to... See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet!