1948 Chevrolet Fleetline

Description

Family-sized hot rods are, well, hot right now and this 1948 Chevy coupe is a great example of that trend, combining vintage good looks and a modern drivetrain to create a car that cruise like your modern iron, but looks like something from another era. Isn't that the point?

OK, so the flames aren't exactly original equipment, but this pro-built rod wears them quite well. The superb bodywork includes tricks like shaved door handles, frenched headlights, and a complete elimination of all the factory trim, so all you see is the spectacular paint. Constructed several years ago, this cool two-door sports a handsome Deep Cranberry Red paint job that looks great on the pre-war body. A foundation of Deep Cranberry Red provides contrast for the spectacular flame job, which licks across the nose all the way to the edges of the doors, neatly striped in vivid lime green for contrast. The look is both traditional and radical, and if you can't attract attention in this car, you may as well collect clocks instead. Cool additions include body-colored mirrors on both sides, a Vee'd windshield, and a rolled rear pan, not to mention the wonderful pinstripes that highlight the deck lid.

Comfort was clearly a priority in building the interior, which features twin ultra-leather buckets that were borrowed from a '95 Monte Carlo and allow easy access to the matching rear seat. The door panels have been upholstered to match, their simplicity a sharp contrast to the extroverted bodywork. The original steel dashboard has been painted to match the bodywork and given the pinstripe treatment, and the gauge panel is fabricated from billet aluminum that blends almost seamlessly with the original radio grille. There's a fully compliment of VDO gauges keeping an eye on the engine with custom overhead and center consoles housing the AM/FM/CD stereo and controls for the lights and other systems. Vintage Air provided the A/C, which blows through a set of discreet ducts under the dash. The trunk has been upholstered to match the interior, with simple side panels and tan carpet, plus a space-saver spare that you'll hopefully never need.

Neatly installed in the '48's engine bay, the 400 cubic inch Chevy V8 features a host of upgrades that help this coupe really hustle on the highway. Standard equipment includes an Edelbrock carburetor, intake, and valve covers, as well as a polished billet air cleaner. Accessories are mounted tight to the block for maximum clearance, and use billet brackets and pulleys for a little extra eye candy. The chassis uses a Mustang II setup from Heidt's, which includes power steering and disc brakes, while out back there's a 1974 Camaro rear hanging on leaf springs and a set of modern tubular shocks for a smooth ride. The transmission is a rugged TH350 3-speed automatic that is the right partner for a 400 cubic inch big block, ensuring long life and reliability for this cruiser. Other features include a Flowmaster exhaust system and traditional Cragar wheels wearing staggered 195/70/14 front and 235/70/15 rear radials.

If you're a hot rodder who wants to cruise with his family, you need a full-sized rod. This slick little Chevy with all its wonderful bells and whistles is an ideal choice. Call now!