Here’s a real Rip Van Winkle. This 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe two-door coupe went to sleep in 1969 and is only just waking up now. Fortunately, it took its long nap indoors and looks pretty much the way it did when locked away. Or better. The Chevy is being offered at no reserve on eBay in Wenatchee, Washington. Only one bid so far, at $13,500.
Plenty of cars built in 1951 could be quite raggedy by 1969, but the Chevrolet only acquired 40,784 miles since its debut in the world. When it got its last oil change on July 23, 1968 the mileage was 38,532. Let’s say it’s always been driven sparingly.
The car wears its original black paint. “Absolutely NO RUST! Interior is exceptionally nice. Dash and window moldings look like new.” The only signs of use are a bump in the right front, which led to the right front fender being replaced, along with the grille (now from a ’52) and the splash pan behind the front bumper. There are a few small dents and dings.
On the car are a new battery, brakes, hoses, and four radial whitewall tires. The upholstery has a cover in some photos, but we get a glimpse of the well-preserved but faded cloth seats below that. As they say, it looks like nobody ever sat in the back seat.
The original Chevrolet Deluxe debuted in 1941, paused for the duration, and then came back until 1948. That makes the new model introduced in 1949 the Bow Tie’s first all-new postwar car. These cars were sold in many forms, including convertibles, fastback two-doors and wood-paneled station wagons. This version of the Deluxe ran through 1952, and was a sales leader for the brand. The Bel Air name was debuted in 1950 as the upmarket version of the Deluxe. This is not one of those, and features either the 105-horsepower, 235-cubic-inch six-cylinder (later known as the “Blue Flame”) engine or the “Thrift Master” version with 216.5-cubic inches and 92 horsepower. Since it’s a basic car, it’s probably the latter, coupled to a three-speed manual. Cars with the two-speed Powerglide automatic got the bigger engine.
These cars were capable of 20 miles per gallon, good for the period. Of course, snazzier things were coming. The all-new and very modern ’55 Chevrolets with their potent V-8s changed the game.
Somebody is going to get a very nice car here. It should not be too difficult to get it running, but there are no guarantees with a car that’s been in slumber for more than 50 years. But it must have been kept in a nice garage. The market for ’51 Chevys is modest. Classic.com says the average sales price is $26,427, and this is neither a convertible or a woody. But it sure is nice.
Fix the cracks in the steering wheel and find a complete horn ring and you have a car to be proud of. Don’t see ’em like this very often. Nice.
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Nice looking. I’d rather that it have the correct 51 front parts… grille, bumper/guards, etc.
Agreed!
I’ve got a 51 Bel Air (hardtop) that had a 52 grille when I purchased it. I’ve since bought a 51 grille which I think looks better.
Yeah.I had a 51 my dad’s was 52. The 51 front end is cleaner looking. Also the 49-52’s had to have skirts. They just did!
While your add it you might as well change the hubcaps too. There off of a 1950 Chevy
I don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade here but there is nothing about this car that makes me want it. I didn’t think it was possible to make a coupe look stodgy yet here it is. Maybe if it was a fastback or convertible it might have more appeal.
A rare find !! At least it’s not some old wreck that’s sat outside for the last 40 years . The condition alone is fabulous , just by looking at the exterior paint ! Low mileage as well . Some body will no doubt , be the winning bidder and be the proud owner of this 1951 Chevrolet coupe ! Happy Motoring
I believe this is a ”business coupe” shorter roof, longer trunk. back windows do not roll down. salesman’s car. some did not have a back seat either. we have a green one just like it….
I think these were referred to as a “De Luxe Sports Coupe”? and the Business Coupe was only available in the “base” series and featured less and/or simpler trim.
Beautiful! My grandparents bought a ’52 Deluxe Sedan that was in our family for 20 years, before the rust got it.
I hope this one gets preserved, not nodded or modified. It’s a piece of Americana!
Had an exact copy back in the sixties, and, maxing out that six-banger on an Ohio freeway, popped a heater hose – spewing rusty water all over the windshield. My date wasn’t impressed.
ITS AMAMZING HOW SNOOTTY SOME YOUNG FOLK ARE. this IS A swell example of what most working folks had, and were proud of. BUMPS, DINGS ETC. Had I not just bought my 54 Buick i would love to won this one. My 49 fast back became my 1st hot rod in 1955,
I believe it is a 52 not a 51
it has a 1952 grille which makes me think the nose may have been replaced and they used a 1952 nose.
My second car though a hardtop 51, 57 Pontiac rear 303 olds,
37 cad Lasalle trans I’m 79 but never lost my passion for the body style
I had a ‘52, hotrodded as that’s what I do. I like the ‘52 grill better than the ‘51, even added 4 more grill teeth. It was far from a show car but got driven a lot. It still gets driven a lot by the new owner. I liked the style and size of the car. It had a. Nova front subframe, Chevy V8, automatic, power steering, power brakes. I wish I could have kept it but then I wish I could’ve kept them all.
Brian, it seems that not many of us have a garage (or wallet for that matter) large enough, for all those that got away.
Not a car that interested me even slightly when it was new in the show-room, and not what I would pick now in an early 1950s vehicle. That said, this is a beautiful example of what it is. The grille makes it look like a 1952; but didn’t the ’52 have a single piece windshield, except for the base model? Hope someone careful and respectful wins the bidding on this, and keeps it original stock. As for the “stodgy coupe” criticism: I am the wrong person to ask, since I think coupes are ugly anyway. But, if you think the Chevy looks stodgy, but you want this body: try the prettier 1949-’52 Pontiac! (smile)
no 1953 in chey was first one piece windshield Ford was in 1952
My one owner ’52 Styleline Deluxe 4 door sedan purchased in the summer of 1960 had a two piece windshield as, I believe, all ’52’s did. I kept accurate records of my ’52. It was my college ride. A steady 50 mph on reasonably level highways yielded 25 MPG. A steady 70mph on the turnpike resulted in 15 MPG.
You can replace the 2 piece Chevy windshield with a 1 piece Oldsmobile windshield.
One photo shows a white steering wheel, another shows a black steering wheel.
Thanks for the windshield c l ar I fication, al. The steering-wheel looks grey to me, partly worn through, Wayne from Oz. Still… not my sort of early ’50s transportation. But, what has become of 1953 Chryslers (that are NOT Imperials)?
clarification (sorry for the typo)
My folks own a 1950 coupe, it has been in the family since new. (My mother’s uncle bought it new). Dad is 86 now and he doesn’t use it much anymore. It has the auto in her. At last check it has approximately 35,000 miles on it.
After he got it about 20 years ago, he drove it to my house,(hour away) he was really complaining about the ride and how it bounced. I went and looked…… It had the original tires on it. Holy crap!!!!
Needless to say I followed him back home. Really a great car. New tires shortly after that. Road great then. One question,. Has anyone else seen or had a city horn and country horn. Switch on top of dashboard. A little beep beep for the city, a loud semi sounding for the country
My aunt had a 52 4 door deluxe. The problem with chevys built from 51 to 53 was the poor quality of the chrome due to the Korean War. We lived in San Francisco and the foggy weather just ate up the chrome on every surface. It sure does bring back some fond memories seeing this old girl!
All business coupes did not have a backseat, just a flat floor thru 53 chevy rear side glass was stationary,as well as the 54 was the first year for utility sedan. This one has a 52 grill with 52 turn signals as mention earlier.
you are correct business coupe’s where mostly for traveling sales men