I always found this sloped-back 1952 Chevrolet Fleetline body design reminiscent of something that Dick Tracy would have driven – it just seems to fit that era. Chevrolet offered numerous body styles in ’52 but the “Fleetline DeLuxe” was only offered as a two-door sedan. Today’s find has a notable top-side sunburn but looks pretty solid beyond that so let’s look her over. Springfield, Missouri is where this Old Chevy cools its heels and it’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $3,150 with the reserve not yet met. There’s a BIN price of $8,000 available too.
Chevrolet managed a number one sales position in ’52 with over 800K units moved. As for the Fleetline fastback, total sales reached 37K copies in what would be its final year. For ’53, the fastback, which was introduced in the truncated 1942 model year, would be no more. The seller tells us, “Solid car with typical rust areas“. I’m not sure what constitutes typical areas with one of these, but besides the surface rust, corrosion appears evident in the rear fender wells, door bottoms, the valance panel beneath the trunk lid, and inner rocker panels. The chrome plating, other than the grille, is fair as is the “DeLuxe” stainless trim. What’s left of the paint is code 470 Emerald Green which had to be one of GM’s most popular hues in the early ’50s.
The interior of this Chevy is a bit ratty – no surprise it is 72 years old! The fabric upholstery is starting to shred and the driver’s side door panel is missing but there is a good base here with which to work. The dash is centered by a chrome-plated oversized speaker grille which is very representative of the era and a cool touch. I also find how interesting the clock placement is, up top and centered – I guess it was considered an important instrument in those days. There are some images of the floors and they look like they’re sound.
The seller tells us, “Good running 216 six-cylinder with HEI distributor conversion“. Also mentioned is the need for a new fuel tank and a conversion of the electrical system from six to twelve volts. Being a three-speed manually shifted transmission means that this engine is a 92-gross HP variant. One interesting facet of this car’s go-department is its split exhaust manifold and dual exhaust system – a hot item back in ’52.
This body style is an interesting one, it’s a sort of streamliner, a design concept that was in vogue in the forties and it spruces up the rather staid, stogy Styleline two-door sedan’s lines. I’m not a big fan of cars from this time but I know that they have their following and this Chevy seems like a good basis for a restoration candidate. Now, that matter of price, BIN at $8,000? Priced right or not quite?
Maybe a bit high on the price but looks solid enough to restore or street rod. Lot of surface rust underneath.The ’39 Chevy next to it might indicate why the dual exhaust system. Looks like a great street rod to me. As I can remember from my years living on the west coast there were a lot of early ’50s fast back Chevys turned into street cruisers or hot rods.
I love it! My grandparents had a ’52 Deluxe Sedan, it was this color on the top, with a light green body.
It was in our family for 20 years. The rust finally got it, but the engine and transmission were still good.
Richard, your grandparents’ color scheme is the same as my first car: After my second year at college my dad took me to the Rambler dealer in Bridgeport, CT in 1968 to buy a used car, a 1952 Chevy 4 door with the 2 speed PowerGlide. I hope it was not your grandparents, it suffered from some lack of maintenance.
Richard – Bummer, my uncle had one of these but his was all the light green color you both mentioned.
I can’t remember what year it was for sure but knowing my frugal uncle, it had the 6 cyl. & 3 speed. It lived on a farm until it’s much later years which were spent on the drag circuit.
Hmmmm…. Lot of rust over the car, must have set outside in the elements for a number of years! Many bucks & effort to restore this Chevy.
Dad had a 42 that he bought in 1950 but must have been a base model as it didn’t have all of the chrome this one has. I think it was a Fleetline but it was years ago so my memory has failed me.
One thing I do remember is how sufocating the back seat was with windows that did not open.
Shared College transport was a 52 in jet black with heater deleted. In winter we had to crack the windows and breathe sideways as to not frost up the windscreen and go braille. That 216 was so quiet we often tried to start it while it was already running!
The heater wasn’t “deleted”. It was an option.
One of GM’s better body styles, came a 4 door as well, in ’49 and maybe ’50, Uncle had a ’49 4 door, traded it in on a ’55 with the V8, amazing difference in performance. ’49 was an “Old Reliable” as Chevys were known back then. Everyman’s car.
I love these Fleetlines! I hope I can find the right one for me out there somewhere. This one is too “needy” but would be a nice project for the right person.
Musta had those front & rear bumpers re- chromed ??
Re-pop bumpers are available and are much less costly than having originals re-chromed. The downsides are that they are made of thinner material and are imported (Taiwan?). I initially resisted buying re-pops for my ’51 until the realities of the cost and wait time for re-chromed ones sunk in!
Had one just out of HS. One plus IMO it has all the stainless trim. But be aware when you see rust, there is deeper rust.$8k +$25K??? But if this was you and your girlfreinds first, then go for it.
Oh yes they DID make four-door fleetlines! I had a ’51 four-door fleetline. Perhaps they discontinued the four-door version in ’52. They always seemed rare to me, while two-door fleetlines were everywhere.
Indeed, the 216s were quiet at idle, and quite spritely coming off the line, but you paid a severe price for it at anything over 65 mph. And yes, we all drove at 65-70 mph back in the ‘50s – it was considered a reasonable, if not always legal, cruising speed. At least in the midwest, we were still without interstate highways, but “modern” four-lane divided highways were considered quite safe. Of the Chevy sixes, it was said you could drive ‘em all day at 65, not so at 70. Timing chains would give out.
I know for a fact that Chevrolet built four-door versions, but as I stated in the post, “Chevrolet offered numerous body styles in ’52 but the ‘Fleetline DeLuxe’ was only offered as a two-door sedan” the key factor being 1952.
JO
You, Jim, said:”I know for a fact that Chevrolet built four-door versions, but as I stated in the post, “Chevrolet offered numerous body styles in ’52 but the ‘Fleetline DeLuxe’ was only offered as a two-door sedan” the key factor being 1952.”
But I had already acknowledged: “Perhaps they discontinued the four-door version in ’52.” The key factor being 1952.
‘ Enjoyed your piece. Thanks for your attention to these once very popular cars that are rarely seen any more. I think this car is definitely worth saving!
Thx for your clarification Allen.
JO
But they had timing gears, no chain
In my Jr.-Sr. High School days an upperclassman had a black fastback from this era with a Chevy V8 reputed to be of Corvette origin thanks to the Vette finned aluminum valve covers making it appear Corvette-like to novice admirers. Also had full Moon wheel covers and duals. Back in the early 60s, late 50s, this was easily the hottest car in school and the envy of many. The added fact that the owner was also a lettered jock only added to the attraction. I still remember his name and can see the car. Dude ended up marrying one of my best friend’s sister. Wonder where the car is?
I love it when I see any old car that is being saved and possibly restored.
My Dad had a 48 Chevy that was the first car that I attempted to drive. I could not have picked anything much more difficult to drive and shift gears on. The gear shifter would not shift unless the motor was running.
Radio and heater was optional then.
I have been watching the B-J auctions in Scottsdale, Arizona for a few day now. I think if I was looking for a old car again I would attend one of these auctions and I could find something from the first day of sale?
I saw some vehicles sell that sold for way less than what the seller obviously had invested.
I also noticed the wide variety of interests that folks had.
This old Chevy is probably worth whatever it sells for? It is if you want it!
Just my oponion!
Had a 50 Chevy coupe, 300hp 350, 69 Camaro rear-end, 4 speed. Needed frame stiffeners, when I jumped on it, it would head for the curb. Fun car! My ex wouldn’t let me put anymore money in it, sold it then divorced her a year later. Should’ve divorced her 1st and kept the car.
Had a ‘52 sedan & it was Emerald Green. Bought it initially as parts car as it was complete. Outer rockers were rusted out but somehow the rest of the floor, trunk pan, etc were just surface rust. Body wise it had one minor crease on the passenger door & maybe 3 or 4 small dings on the entire car. The downside was it’s 216 had the head already removed & apparently for a long time as the cylinder walls & pistons were rusted solid. Still it would’ve been interesting to try & see if it could be saved. Like anything else, always a matter of time & cash!