Recently Revived: 1952 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe

It isn’t clear just how long this 1952 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe spent parked and forgotten, but the owner has worked through the process of returning it to a roadworthy state. It is now ready to be moved on to a new owner who can choose to either restore this very solid survivor, or they could choose to drive it as it currently stands and revel in the sort of attention that it would be certain to attract. Located in Healdsburg, California, you will find the Fleetline advertised for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price for this beauty at $8,500. I have to take the opportunity to send a big thank you to our eagle-eyed Barn Finder Ikey H for referring the Chevy through to us.

The Fleetline has a healthy coating of surface corrosion, and this has blotted out much of its original Birch Gray paint. However, it appears that surface corrosion is as far as the rust issues have progressed with the car. With no carpets inside the vehicle at present, there is a good chance to inspect all of the floors, and these appear to be rock solid. The owner does state that there is no rust to be found anywhere in the vehicle, nor is there any signs of Bondo which might indicate previous bodywork or accident repairs. The majority of the glass is also in good condition, although there are a couple of pieces of side glass that sport cracks. The external trim and chrome all seem to be present, but as with the panels and paint, it does show the same level of deterioration on its plated surfaces. The body does wear a few minor marks and dings, but none of these appear to be particularly bad. The most notable of these is one just forward of the rear wheel arch on the passenger side because this has also damaged the chrome trim piece in that location. The 1952 model year was the final for the production of the Fleetline, and it was only available in the 2-door sedan variant. This swooping body style was considered to be quite aerodynamic, and even though the car possessed only modest levels of engine power, it was still capable of cruising at 60mph on the open road.

It is under the skin where all of the recent work has been performed on the Chevy in a bid to return it to a roadworthy state. The car has been treated to a new fuel tank and sending unit, all new fuel lines, new fuel filters, a new fuel pump, and the carburetor has received a rebuild. When you add new spark plugs, plug wires, a new coil, and other new ignition components, it’s no real surprise to learn that the 216ci six-cylinder engine now kicks easily into life and that it runs very well. There’s no point making a car run well if it won’t stop, and this is another area of the car that has benefitted from some recent attention. The master cylinder has been rebuilt, while the vehicle has also been fitted with new brake hoses, new brake shoes, and new wheel cylinders. The electrical system has also been converted to 12-volt operation, and while the Fleetline could now be considered to be roadworthy, the owner provides some pretty sound advice when he suggests that the next owner should undertake a few short trips to confirm that all is well before any extended journeys are considered.

This photo of the front seat gives some indication of the condition of the interior trim, and it is pretty indicative of the condition of all of the Fleetline’s upholstered surfaces. In addition, there is no carpet on the floor, so there is going to be some work required to return the car to a comfortable state. Still, the interior does appear to be complete, so at least the next owner will conceivably be starting the work from a solid base. Even if the next owner intends to leave the car’s external appearance as it is, it would still be very tempting to undertake a full restoration of the interior. It would make it a comfortable and pleasant place to be, and I think that it could potentially provide a really effective contrast between the two different aspects of the vehicle. I noticed that the Chevy isn’t fitted with such luxuries as the optional radio, but the rather cool clock, which is set into its own housing on top of the dash, does appear to be present.

When it comes to sheer character, this 1952 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe has it by the bucketful. It is an essentially straight and very solid car that should represent a fairly straightforward restoration project. Of course, the next owner might choose to drive and enjoy this classic while leaving it essentially as it currently stands. I can certainly see the attraction of both options, and to be honest, if I had to make that choice, I’m really not sure which way I would choose to go. How about you?