Often, the seller of an old and forlorn station wagon will suggest that it would make a “cool surf wagon” or some similar undertaking as its next station in life. In the case of this 1951 Chevrolet Styleline, it has already made the leap with its surfboard rack, beach/surf shop decals, and of course, the essential ingredient, lots of fade and burned-through surface rust, also known by that dreaded P-word, Patina. Regardless, this wagon is still intriguing as it has undergone other improvements so let’s see what’s here. It’s located in Palmetto, Florida and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $9,000 with the reserve not yet met. T.J. gets a tip of the visor for this discovery!
Being a Styleline Deluxe means faux wood veneer but it’s more a trim enhancement than a full-on forestry planting the way some woodies were decked out. Regardless, it too is showing the effects of some opportunistic patina application. It seems evident that the “distressed patina” finish, as it is referred to in the listing, is possibly contrived – notice the comparison to the finish in the engine compartment. As these things go, however, the worn look as applied to this wagon is pretty authentic looking. The seller adds that this California car has almost no rust through.
Under the hood is a very detailed 235 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine tied to a three-speed manual transmission. Research indicates that manual transmission-equipped Stylelines employed a 216 CI six, while the 235 was reserved for those with Powerglide automatic transmissions so this may not be the original engine. The initial obvious modification is the chrome air cleaner but the seller mentions that there is a dual exhaust system too and that probably involves a split exhaust manifold. The seller adds, “runs and drives great“.
The interior is exceptionally nice having been redone with, “brown gator skin seats, wood trim, new carpet, and headliner“. The worn look finish continues across the steel dash but that’s where it ends inside. The gauges look original and some auxiliary monitors have been added beneath the dash. Be sure to view the listing image of the headliner – great old-school detail.
Whether a fake or real finish, this Chevy presents well, that is if you like that sort of thing. For my preference, I think I’d move it up a decade or so and go for one that is V8-powered and still has its paint but there is something to be said for having a wagon from the Styleline era too – it’s hardly an everyday find. It has been suggested that the patina craze will run its course but rumors of its demise, so far, appear to have been greatly exaggerated. What says you, thumbs up or thumbs down?
Wouldn’t change a thing but would paint it. Grunge doesn’t sell well here. Besides, rare car in good condition with a full up new interior and mechanically sound deserves to look better than a huge burlap bag.
Finish isn’t faked, it’s the real thing. A bit rough looking for my tastes, but a surfer in a high school parking lot in the early 60’s would have driven something that looked much like this, rather than a car show queen.
I spent some time in college on the West coast in the early 70s. You are right, surfers did have ratty old cars, at least the hard core bums that cared more about having fun than having a real job and responsibilities. I recall being on roads behind some of these old rattle traps. Coughed on the thick blue exhaust. Trust me, no where near as romantic as on old Annette Funicello movie.
How do you get “true dual exhaust” with an inline 6?
There are manifold kits available but I did the same as Glenn referenced on my ’54 by using a thermostat housing brazed on and facing down. Love the sound.
Forgot… did cut the manifold and brazed in plugs to make a “split manifold”.
Fenton headers
Kits were sold back in the day, but some just cut a hole in the stock exhaust and put in a second exhaust flange. Don’t remember if they were brazed or welded.
I don’t have anything against “PATINA”, but the interior and under hood is very nice. It would tempt me to bring my body and paint up to the same quality. Jon, appears to me the car has a custom header, thus the dual exhaust. In the old days we just cut up and welded the cast manifolds ,they were usually pretty ugly.
This wagon reminds me of a similar wagon I saw a few years back, a 1954 Chevrolet wagon for sale in LA.
Very rare as it had powerglide plus radio, plus power steering, power brakes. power windows, power seat and full tinted glass. It was in great original condition and it sold fast.
Before seeing this wagon,I don’t believe I had ever seen a 1954 Chevrolet so loaded with options.
Certain cars, unfortunately , always lead to the same themes. No matter how tired, overdone the theme may be….
1964 Fairlanes become Thunderbolt clones
Old wagons become surf wagons
!970 Javelins become Mark Donohue clones……Others?
Joe
Barracudas became ‘Cudas , any Nova or Chevelle becomes a big block SS , Basically any 60s base model six banger ends up “restored” with a V8 .
If I had this one I’d get it to a paint shop asap and get a real good paint job on it to match the nice interior. As far as the engine goes, I’d leave it alone. It runs and drives, paint it with a decent and careful paint job and leave it alone.
Good to see it still has the 6!
Everything EXCEPT the fake patina is perfect.
They had to have had a nearly perfect exterior finish before the (blech) horrible fake patina ruined it.
If the finish underneath that crud is thick enough a good body shop could wet sand the nasty stuff away and buff it out….
But:
There’s probably a ton of clear coat on top of the stuff so it’d be a laborious task…
I know. We’ve removed “patina” from several cars over the last twenty years.
A Rough diamond that needs to be brought back to original!
That is a 216 not a 235. the two bolts on the top of the rocker cover are dead giveaways. the 235s have four bolts down on the lip where they bolt to the head
And that makes sense considering that it has a manual transmission.
JO
A 235 will accept either valve cover.
What you really need to look at to determine whether it’s a 216 or 235 motor is the side cover as they will not interchange. On closer inspection you will see it has a 235 side cover.
Compliments to the seller for posing the car where it would likely have been found – at the beach.