The 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe really stirs a lot of memories for me. I had a great uncle, which was more like a grandfather because my mother’s father had died before I was born. He and my great aunt did not have any children that lived to adulthood, so we would often stay with them growing up. My Uncle Jeff had a 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan much like this one, in light green with dark green top and fender skirts. This 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan is for sale here on Craigslist in Athens, Georgia. Thanks to Barnfinds reader Roger for bringing it to our attention.
One of the things I most remember about Uncle Jeff’s Deluxe is sitting in the back seat one day, sticking my head out of the window, and getting it stuck because the back window did not roll all the way down. Uncle Jeff had to maneuver my head back inside. My Aunt Ida couldn’t drive, so after Uncle Jeff died in 1964, she gave the car to my oldest sister. I’m not sure why, but my father traded it for a Renault Dauphine, which was my sister’s for only a few months, and then traded it for a Ford Falcon. The car is said to have the original patina, but it appears to have been clear coated or preserved in some way. It has the “original copper grille”, but I was not aware of them having copper grilles. There is a minor dent in the upper grille trim, however. Other than that, there appear to be no dents or rust.
The interior has been replaced at some point over the years. While it is not the original seat design, it does appear to be in good condition and has been fitted with seat belts. Some insulation has been added to the floor as well. My Uncle Jeff’s car did not have a radio, but it appears this one does. This Deluxe has a manual column shifter.
The engine is a rebuilt 235 6-cylinder engine that gives plenty of power. New items include a radiator and master cylinder. The car is mechanically sound. The seller says it is a daily driver with many more years of use left. Would you like to drive a classic that goes back to a simpler time?
As far as I can see the only thing left to do is body prep and paint, I’d stay with the original colour. I like that it’s a driver already and it has the ideal up grade engine under the hood. Someone is going to get a great trip down memory lane. Early fifties cars are just so cool. I really love these fat fendered beauties.
“The old man and old lady” had one of these in our neighborhood where I grew up.
The garage was so narrow we couldn’t figure out how he got in or out of it. He would scrape the fenders almost every time he pulled in. We’d take bets, lol
My brothers 1st car after he turned 16.he had a couple cars he bought at 15..fixed em up and sold before he could even drive..legally.these are cool cars
Same year as me…when I was a kid my dad had one in green, the fastback body. Loved that ole car…..sigh so long ago….
I liked the Fleetline better too. I bet you wish you had your dad’s car.
I love early 50s GM cars. My dad has a ’50 Chevy Coupe that he never drives, and I keep trying to buy it from him, though I have enough of my own sweat, blood, and tears in that restoration to have paid for it already.
I like the patina of this one, but is the “original copper grille” just another word for a delaminated chromed one? I mean, copper is one of the base layers of the chroming process.
Looks kinda fake, chrome to body all have same patina. Probably was pitted, sanded smoother, then patina
I thought the manual shift cars were equipped with the 216 and the 235 was exclusive to Powerglides up until this point.
That engine is a later 235. In 1952 it was a “splash oil” lube system and went to an oil pump in 1953 (or ’54 depending on model). The splash engines have a valve cover held on by bolts down through the top and the oil pump engines have bolts around the perimeter as this one does. Unless someone is particular about having the original engine this is a nice upgrade. It provides better and more consistent oil pressure.
I had a 54, with an automatic and a tube radio. Burned 2 quarts of oil every day. I paid $20 for it. Had it for 6 months or so. Gave it to a friend of mine. Saw him a couple months later asked him about the 54. Someone STOLE it from him lol.
I love this 52 as is… But isn’t $6800 a bit optimistic? Yikes that seems like a lot to me.
$6,800 isn’t optimistic at all. The 2-door cars generally sell for more than that if they’re in as good a condition as this one. Plus, it has a new radiator and considerable money has been spent on the upholstery (not the original style, but nice none-the-less). I bought a ’51 several years ago and paid more than this seller is asking!
And, just for the record, I’ve been offered more than I paid for mine by several collectors. I may sell it one day, but I have a lot of fun taking it to cruise-ins with its all-stock 6-volt drivetrain…
SquareLeft, if this is true, that is good news for me.
Here in Mexico there are a lot of these cars in excellent condition for sale and there are very few people that want to buy them.
Here is one of them that is available.
Here is the back of it.
I don’t think the price is unrealistic. It’s a great driver, do the appearance work and whatever else it needs (probably very little; I owned a 1950 and they are bullet proof cars) and enjoy it. You won’t be sad.
Nice Chevy for a great price!
Hook that car right up to the Airstream MH and go! Right after I cut out those seat belts…..
Neat-o….grandma had the 53 coupe….kinda wish my dad would have held on to it….picture of me and my bro somewhere…….
Never have to stare at a check engine or ABS light on the dash!
A roll of tape, pliers, common screwdriver and a points file or the wife’s emery board and you could drive it anywhere.
My first car when I was 16 years old was a bright red 1952 Chevy CONVERTABLE DELUXE.I believe I paid a whopping $275.00 for it in 1962. It had the power glide tranny, Radio, Fender skirts and black convertible top. I sort of remember it also had black leather ??? seats also. A nice first car until some jerk in a large van truck ran a red light and hit me broadside and totaled the car. It still erks me thinking about it.
The reason the grille is copper is they used to copper coat the nickel plate and that was chrome, and with time and exposure to the elements the nickel would peel and discolor . Now they cooper plate, then nickel plate then the chrome plating , which is a clear process to keep the nickel from tarnishing.
The ’52 Chevy’s suffered badly from what was a very commonly known malady at the time – Korean War Chrome. Due to material shortages, they used a cheaper process on the chrome parts to minimize the use of nickel and chrome. It didn’t wear well at all, and a lot of cars ended up like this, with the parts looking like they were just copper-plated.
I’m surprised and a little depressed to see that neither the seller, nor apparently anyone here, was even aware of it. God, I’m old.
Well cyclemikey I guess that makes 2 of us! I do believe both the 1952 & ’53 models suffered from this indignity. Cheers!