1951 Chevrolet Deluxe

Description

This 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe jetback coupe fits comfortably between restored and resto-mod, keeping the spirit of the original intact and adding a few modern convenience items to make it easy to drive. The result is a handsome and very road-worthy car with a unique look, all at a very affordable price.

The fastbacks were dying off but you can't say they don't look fantastic today. They were insanely popular in the 1940s, but by 1951, only a few were still in showrooms, including Chevrolet, where cars like this Deluxe model were among the most handsome cars of the year. Finished in a bright metallic green, it isn't totally stock, but if anything, the color accentuates the handsome shape and wonderful contours of the jetback coupe. The bodywork is in very good condition and the way it fits together strongly suggests that this has always been a solid, clean car that never needed major surgery. It has not been shaved or modified, and they instead focused on getting everything nice and flat before the paint went on, and it has a very useful look today. There's still plenty of chrome on it, all of it looking like it has recently been restored, and the two-piece wrap-around windshield is a fantastic styling statement. You can see the beginnings of tailfins on the rear fenders and fender skirts give it a very long, low look.

With striped broadcloth upholstery, the interior has a very period-correct vibe to it and offers room for six. Clean door panels with a bit of stainless trim look dashing, while the original dash stretches across the front of the passenger compartment. Original gauges monitor the engine and other vitals, assisted by a set of auxiliary gauges underneath. It's great to see that they didn't cut up the original dash to add the AM/FM/cassette stereo, which instead hangs underneath, just above the custom shifter for the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission. The driver's seat shows some very minor signs of use, but the rest of the interior seems quite fresh, including the dark green carpets which provide great contrast and tie the whole car together quite nicely. Open that sloping deck lid and you'll find a fairly sizable trunk, also fully upholstered with green carpets and ready for your next road trip.

This car keeps to its origins with a 250 cubic inch inline-six under the hood, just as it was when it was new. Finished in bright Chevy Orange, it looks right at home here and runs superbly with surprising fuel economy. The mechanicals have been upgraded where it makes sense: an HEI ignition system, power disc brakes and power steering were all added during the build. However, none of that dilutes the car's honest character and original driving dynamic. The original PowerGlide 2-speed automatic was dumped in favor of a TH350 3-speed automatic so it's quicker in traffic, and the upgraded suspension rides beautifully. The underside is impressively clean and tidy, and with a single exhaust system and original-style muffler, it sounds like 1951 all over again. Modern 215/75/15 whitewall radials were fitted to the original steel wheels with hubcaps and trim rings just to enhance the vintage look.

Not stock, but not radical, this is a sensibly updated vintage Chevy that looks good and can be driven anywhere with confidence. Call today!