The owner of this 1954 Chevrolet 210 Delray purchased it with the intention of it being the foundation for a hot rod project. After careful consideration, he has decided that it is way too nice to subject to that treatment, so he has chosen to sell the vehicle in the hope that it will find its way to a person who can truly appreciate this great survivor. It is solid and clean and is said to run and drive perfectly. If you are that person, then you will find the Delray located in Clinton, Massachusetts, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has reached $11,000, and with the reserve met, that appreciative new owner is potentially not far away.
The owner states that he purchased the car from a private collection and that while the Black paint on the roof is original, the rest of the Delray received a repaint in lacquer more than 30-years-ago. This has held up quite nicely and has a fantastic shine to it. Below that paint, all of the steel is claimed to be original. There have been no rust or accident repairs at any time in the past, and the car remains rust-free today. Black is a color that allows any minor dings or dents to show from miles away, and the panels on this Chevy look to be close to perfect. The glass all looks to be in good condition, while the majority of the external trim and chrome remains well preserved. The owner does note that the chrome trim running down the center of the hood is peeling in one spot. This spot is around a ½” in length, and given the overall condition of the rest of the exterior, I think that it would be well worth the effort and expense to send that off to the plater for refurbishment.
Opening the doors of the Delray reveals an interior that looks extremely nice. The seats have received new covers at some point, while the carpet has also been replaced. The owner identifies a couple of stains on the headliner and cracked glass on the speedometer as the only faults of note. The door trims are slightly warped at the bottom, but I think that with some careful application of steam on the back of these, they could be straightened okay. The carpet could also do with a clean, while the wheel is showing some wear on the rim. Given how honest the Delray appears to be, I would be very inclined to address those few faults and then leave well enough alone. I mean, the car isn’t loaded with luxury equipment, but I certainly wouldn’t be tempted to add anything.
This is as close as we come to getting a peek at the engine, which is pretty frustrating. What we do know would appear to be all good news. Powering the Delray is the venerable 235ci “Blue Flame” 6-cylinder engine. Given that this car also sports the 3-speed manual transmission, that 235 produces 115hp. If this car was equipped with the 2-speed Powerglide transmission, then it also would have received an additional 10hp. That means that the Chevy isn’t a fireball, but its performance would have been more than acceptable in 1954. The owner claims that the car has covered a genuine 37,000 miles, but doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence to verify this. What he does tell us is that the car is in great mechanical health. In fact, he says that it runs like a top, and that it drives just as it would have in 1954.
What a great old car. If this 1954 Delray is as clean and solid as the listing would tend to indicate, then it is a classic that is ready to be driven and enjoyed. One aspect of the listing that I find to be reassuring is the fact that the owner has a pretty sizeable collection of additional photos of every aspect of the vehicle, and appears willing to supply any or all of these on request to potential buyers. I’m glad that he has decided not to desecrate this old beauty by turning it into a hot rod. Do you think that he has made the right call on that, or would you have proceeded regardless?
For a brief moment, I thought the tail lights were custom. But, now I’m thinking they are factory, because this trim level would not have the back up lamps standard. I guess I see more 54 Bel Air models than any others.
I would REALLY have a hard time leaving the stock wheels. How about this: chrome 14 x 6 steel wheels on black walls. Nothing outrageous, just something period rodder that would compliment that slick black paint!
Banded steel wheels with the original caps would b my choice either painted original colour or how about bright red wide whites to just break up the expanse of black paint, if U go with the red I’d probably have to get some proper pinstriping done (none of the modern decals because it’s a dying art/skill set!)
What a neat old Chevy! Beautiful car.
I would update the drive train but keep the appearance as it is. While the old Stovebolt is a dependable engine, I would want more power and AC.
They are custom.
They would have the back up light lenses but no bulbs.
Bought one of these for $400 as a college car. White over light blue exterior with matching top line interior. Had the back up lights but liked the solid red so built one piece lenses from a second set. Slight lowering, dual exhausts, white wall tires with Dodge spinner hub caps and it was good to go. Great cars.
Wow what a great car glad he changed his mind.
How many times have we seen BF stories that say the buyer bought the car intending to hot rod it but decided it was so nice he changed his mind? Sorry, not buying it. Buyers generally inspect a car thoroughly and know exactly what they are getting. I think there’s another reason.
Maybe it’s the “runs like a top” thing. I once had a small dirt bike that had a tendency to run like atop at times…. It would turn a very tight circle than flop over on its’ side… :-( :-(
Awesome car. Everything looks right. Maybe some TLC in the areas noted but that’s about it. If I was to make any embellishments it would be suspension, brakes, and cooling to bring it closer to the 21st century.
Good move not hot rodding it. Way too nice.
BobC. I can’t imagine anybody paying over the current $11k for this beautiful Chevy and then rodding it. (I hope)
I agree. It is only original once.
That fact doesn’t seem to keep some from doing their dirty work though.
Those are custom taillight’s, made by Lee Plastics. Look good on it.
Not so sure about that egads. My father had a ’54 Chev 4 door and as far as I can remember the tail lights looked exactly like the ones shown in the photo. Six years ago a friend of mine dug one out of a barn for resale to Australia and the lights were also as per this Chev.
Ken, Look at the picture of the trunk, the original taillight lenses with the backup light lense are in laying there.
Wow! Does this one tale me back. Mom
traded in her ’53 Nash Statesman for one
of these in ’63. Ours was a 4-door sedan
that was also painted black with a set of
Olds flipper hubcaps that really spiced it
up a lot. It also was a 235 3-speed car
with a radio and a heater. I like it, but I do
the seller is aiming a bit to high on his asking price though. If it were mine, I
wouldn’t change a thing mechanically
except adding a radio–one of those
AM/FM types that look original to the
car. And like Mom’s car, it would have
the rear seat speaker as well. You just
couldn’t beat ’em for durability, the damned things wouldn’t die!
Born too soon…
I’ve seen a lot of these Chevys modified so one like this that has been kept as original is a nice find. The 210s seem to be seen less often than their Bel Air counterparts so I’d be inclined to leave this old Chevy as is and not “fancy it up.” At least it only has two doors so the “too many doors” crowd should like it. Enjoy the 1950’s driving experience and show today’s youngsters what driving was like before all of the options cars have today.
Beautiful, and I believe if the engine is stock, 1954 235 had all insert bearings, will be a great thing if you need to freshen the mill up. I can hear the whine of first gear and the stovebolt now! Good luck!
Cheers
GPC
From Wiki – the LL8 Atlas DOHC straight six produced as much as 291hp & 275ft/lb torque. That would be my choice for an upgrade over a 235 which I have never been impressed with. Nicely preserved car for a 1954 model and would make a nice driver with a power increase.
Black n chrome really pops on this ole girl. Keep her stock.
It is obvious this is a very nice car and any knowledgeable car enthusiast knows it. Why does everyone jump to the conclusion that some “Wing Nut” is going to get it and screw it up. Just the condition and the price of this car separates the men from the boys. Depending on the buyer I could see this car as a fantastic example of an original car, or a very high end “Restomod” like many of the early Corvette’s. Iam not worried about this car ,l for see a great future for it no matte the what camp it might fall into.
I ran a 54 Chevy for awhile and man was it geared low. These things scream at 60 mph, and I’d keep one eye on the transmission tunnel expecting some random piece of the tranny to shoot up through the floor. Although there is an aftermarket industry for this generation Chevy, the quality of the replacement parts are generally poor; especially compared to tri-fives. 6 volt systems, king pin front ends, low rears with torque tubes, etc…no thanks.
Btw-they all had clear back up lenses, just like 55/56, it was the addition of a lamp harness & sockets that made them functional.
A 355 rear or ring& pinion gear set would take care of that prob.
Oh Momma what a cream puff!! This is the stuff dreams are made of. My two cents: Mild lowering, twin carbs, dual exhaust with Porter steel packs, keep the Lee tail light lenses, highway gears and a full tank of gas. See ya!
Mom and Dad owned a ’54 Delray like this back in 1956 that was two tone green top and yellow bottom, Dad’s first experience with the Powerglide transmission that was less than satisfying to put it mildly,they kept it for six years then traded it for a then new 1962 Chevy II Nova two door sedan.
Another “survivor” with a repaint and a new interior.
I’m the same age as this old Chevy. It’s in better shape. Love it.
I’m with George. Never saw an unmodified car with the solid taillight lenses. I had the backup lights but tied the two bulb circuits together so they worked as tail/brake lights. Always thought they were an attractive feature of the ’54s.
I find it hard to fathom the top paint is original, and all other surfaces were repainted in lacquer. If anything, wouldn’t the top be the biggest expanse of horizontal surface to begin fading and need refinishing? I’m not seeing entire tail lights in the trunk photo on eBay either. Looks like two red gaskets and maybe one crusty old backup light lens.
So good to hear your intelligent comment…
The paint job strikes me as backward to what would be normal. I wonder if the lower part was a different color and someone wanted it all black. Whatever, it’s a beauty and I’d love to own it.
This appears to be a regular 210 2 dr sedan, and NOT a Delray. Delrays had a 2 tone all-vinyl interior, and gray was not one of the color choices. IF this car had originally had the all-vinyl interior it would’ve been black/white, including the door panels. Why would someone take out the nicely pleated black & white vinyl seats for some ugly cloth? And, that doesn’t explain gray door panels either.
I’d say the door panels are original,seats may be redone.
I had a 54 bel air that I put a 210 interior in it both were blue,biscayne blue if I remember correctly.
I do remember a red one that had the black and white interior.
Mine was built in NORWOOD OHIO.
The red one was built in St.Louis Mo.
I don’t know why the difference.
Mine had cloth in the seats.
When I was a kid my mother’s parents had a near twin to this car, the difference being it was a 4 door and it didn’t have the skirts. Neither of my grandparents had a license, my Grans brother bought them the car to use when there was a need for a car (we lived in a very small town with the nearest hospital being 35-45 minutes away) or when my grandparents just wanted to get out of town.
I only ever remember my Mom driving that car as most of her siblings lived out of town. The front seat had been fitted with a green vinyl cover that I guess the next owner (eventually) removed, and I remember the faint sort of moaning/sighing sound the engine made as it went up the short drive back into the garage where it must have sat for months at a time.
The interior was exactly like this car, too.
Its a really pretty car…looks like someone started with a good original example, but calling it a survivor doesn’t really sit well with me. Then again the buyer may not care and just wants a shiny black ’54, so who am I to say ;)
A high school buddy had one like this, and he taught me how to drive a stick before I had even taken driver’s training. First he taught me how to power-shift, and then he taught me how to un-jam the shift linkage. Thanks, Mike
I don’t understand why the seller would put an obviously fake VIN in the ad.
I would never seriously change a car like this. For me the value of owning it would be getting behind the wheel and having the exact same experience of driving it as did someone 66 years ago. Drive through an old neighborhood or some empty highway and live 1954 today. I know a lot of people don’t get that, they just want to make the old car go faster, but I enjoy being able to actually experience the past.
Me too RS. If you want to go faster, buy a later model, more powerful car!
looking at the dash i don’t see any heater controls
I don’t have the pictures handy to look at again, but in the 50’s heaters (and radios) were an option.
True ,radio heater and outside rear view mirrors were all optional.
I had a Del Rey red bottom white top. The interior was black and white black vinyl sewn in squares with white thread and piping black carpet front and back white headliner . Door panels matched the upholstery. It was very sporty nicer than the bel air. I shaved the trunk and put a split manifold for wonderful sounding duals. One of my favorite cars. Drove it to California from Buffalo NY never missed a beat.
I remember one like that.
Do you by any chance where yours was built.