Post-War & Chrome / 1946–1959

1949 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe

No. 070 of 207

Mel's first car that he could buy new for cash!

"We'll Just Paint It"

Bruce Johnstone #28991 Black Hill Region, Rapid City, South Dakota

1949 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe — museum photo

Featured on this month's front cover

There are three things you should never do. Never lie to your mother and never buy a car that just needs paint. That's where this saga begins. While paging through one of those auto shopper magazines (which really should be illegal reading material to people with spare time), we saw an ad for a 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe that sounded pretty nice. It was located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, which isn't far from our home in Rapid City, South Dakota so we decided to check it out.

After a phone call with some questions, the car seemed to be just what we were looking for and a tentative deal was struck. The current and second owner had bought the Chevy from the original owner, a farmer from a town a little west of Grand Forks, North Dakota. Thankfully a fellow VCCA member from the Black Hills Region offered to check out the car and pick it up as he was going to be in Grand Forks that weekend. We gave him our trailer and some money and off he went. As usual, the owner had great plans to restore this Chevy, but due to an unforeseen little problem called "losing his job," he decided to sell it. Money changed hands and the deal as done.

When the Fleetline Deluxe arrived in Rapid City a couple days later, we were pleased to see an all-original car with its factory Live Oak Green paint intact; it was, however, beginning to thin in spots from normal wear. There were a couple dents in the rear fenders, some dented stainless trim, a decent interior and new radials, this car was basically ready for the road.

The original owner must have been very proud of his car. Unlike most Chevrolets of the time, this one was decked out with accessories. On and in the car were twelve genuine Chevrolet options. These include a windshield visor, front and rear bumper guards, deluxe hood ornament, back-up light, deluxe steering wheel, deluxe radio, deluxe heater, turn signals, gas tank whistle, clock, oil filter and the visors for the side windows.

Our plan was to fix a couple of the dents, paint it and have a fun driver. Well...that was the original plan. Two years later after a complete, every nut and bolt off the car, with parts everywhere restoration, it was done. Approximately 70% of the parts that were replaced in the restoration were NOS thanks to Ebay. The remainder we rebuilt or purchased reproduced from Chevs of the 40's out in Washington. No one really understands how or why restorations get out of control or what chronic disease possesses a person to get carried away like this or if there is a cure. Cars are an addiction unlike drugs. Eventually in the end drugs will kill you, but cars just keep you broke and wondering where you're going to store the stupid things.

With the restoration finally complete and the paint barely dry, we loaded the now factory fresh Chevrolet into an enclosed trailer that night and the next morning headed to Springfield, Illinois to attend the 40th VCCA National Meet.

General Information

•Model: 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe

•Body Styles: 2-door and 4-door fastback sedan

•Trim Levels: Special (base) and Deluxe (higher-end)

Engine

•Type: 3.5L (216.5 cu in) Inline-6

•Horsepower: 90 hp @ 3,300 rpm

•Torque: 174 lb-ft @ 1,200 rpm

•Compression Ratio: 6.6:1

•Carburetor: Single-barrel

Transmission

•Standard: 3-speed manual with column shift (“Three on the Tree”)