From the outside, this Tin Woodie is starting to show it’s age and looks, well, a bit rough. Once you take a look at the inside and under the hood, you start to realize that there’s more than meets the eye! Reader Jerry W found this 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe in a hanger in Santa Monica, California. After getting it out and hauling it home to San Diego, he set about making it a really cool driver. You can contact Jerry via the form below with any questions or to make him an offer.
What Makes It Special? This 51 Chevrolet Deluxe was found in an airplane hanger. The hard work is done on this solid California Tin Woodie Wagon. It’s a bit of a Derelict style build. The body is straight and solid with loads of patina. That’s likely thanks to having been stored in a Santa Monica hanger. It’s now in sunny San Diego and it’s ALL Chevrolet! The original factory real wood interior with the original gauges restored by United Speedometer. The uncut original dash features its factory clock with new quartz movement & Custom Auto Sound AM/FM sound system. Dynamat installed from the top of the smoothed firewall throughout the rust-free floors of the seating area.
The Chevrolet 292 cui inline-six has been bored out to 301 CID with a Schneider Cam, Clifford Intake, Clifford Headers, twin Webers, DUI electronic ignition and 700R4 transmission. I can provide complete engine specs upon request. I also installed a Vintage Air AC system, 4-core radiator, power brakes and the rear end out of a ’63 Nova SS. Hanger stored California car with perfect floors and doors. Priced to sell at just $26,500. Interested parties can text me at 760-996-3040 and I will return call, or message me and I’ll get back to you.
As cool as ICON’s Derelict builds are, I really appreciate that Jerry kept the original inline-six in this one. Modern drivetrains are great, but by the time you are finished installing a fuel-injected V8 with all the necessary upgrades to make it safe, it’s difficult to return it to its original state. While this one has been upgraded a bit, you shouldn’t require extensive work to return it to its original configuration. Add a fresh coat of paint and this would be a really great looking car. Personally, I’d leave it as is and just enjoy it! It would definitely get lots of attention and would stand out in a crowd, plus the upgrades that have been done would make it a fun and dependable driver!
- Asking Price: $26,500
- Location: San Diego, California
- Title Status: Clean
List your car here on Barn Finds for only $50!
A 292 is not the original engine ,probably a 216😊
I believe you mean ‘hangar’. ☺
292 in stock form are strong runners. This one is going to be lots of fun to drive. Comlaments to the builder. Well thought out and we’ll built.
I had a 48 GMC PU , I installed a 292, with a 350 turbo and A/C. lt w as a great combination , it was a super driver. This wagon is way cool ,l would love to have it, I might do some cosmetics a little at a time, but it would be so much fun, l would just enjoy owning it. I can’t buy it, but if I could , l would, I think the price is very reasonable for this car !j
Very nicely done. Not a patina fan whatsoever but in this case I would probably leave it as it. Very nice. Bought a Model A sports coupe about three years ago and the guy had a 54 Chevy wagon in great original condition for sale also. Wish I had bought it over the Model A.
Neat woodie but where are the pics of this “uncut original dash?”
I would like to see interior shots. This is not a car I’d have thought to go looking for, but 1949-’51 Chevys were very common runaround cars among guys I knew when I was at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, 1960-64. The only common engine upgrade was a GMC 6, more for durability than power, but the ones I knew were nice to drive and very pleasant handlers.
The pic from the left rear tells me all I need to know. It has no seats. I get to pick out my own. But, after that, I really like this one. He has done a lot of of good work. So, interior and paint (ooops, almost forgot the rear lights). I have two choices…either hi-gloss black or original dark green, Leave the “Woodie” finish. (Fix it up a bit).
292’s are truck engines!
Will Owen states it was an upgrade!
292 was 60s-80s, not original to a 51. Original would have been a 216, or a babbitt 235 it had powerglide.
Gentlemen,
You are correct about the ‘glide & smaller engine as stock. This big 292 six is a modern engine with pressure oiling, good bearings and hydraulic lifters. If you attended drag races at the old Holtville Air Strip, or up at the now gone Carlsbad Drag Strip in the seventies you might have seen Bill Bradford running a rail with a big six like this. He was beating V8s with it. The straight sixes have tons of torque, and with that 700R4 this sleeper wagon could be a lot of fun on the street. That tranny, with the overdrive, means this wagon can hit the highway with ease, and haul a bunch friends too! It’s amazing how some hotrod rake and a bit of lowering makes this wagon look so cool. Too bad my garage is already full.
Nice find.
Great upgrades.
So I called Jerry about the wagon. I’m told the car has the complete set of three seats, but in storage, not pictured. The rear light, a single is correct for this ‘51. It pivots down, when the tailgate is lowered allowing it and the license plate to be visible when hauling a load. He told me he had the original glass taillight lens too. He said the seats are all redone in sort of a light tan color. Waiting for his son in law to visit to get rejoined with the car, and then get his buddy to take some pictures. ( He’s not very techy) says the car is about 90% done if you want drive it as is. Needs to have few hours with your favorite mechanic to connect hoses, lines, and wiring to get you on the road. From what he told me, I’m thinking invite over a few hot rod buddies and have this baby running over a weekend.
Do you still have this Station wagon?