When I was learning bodywork in my younger days, longer ago than I like to think about, nothing was more rewarding than getting sheet metal good enough to paint. With few exceptions, I almost always chose DuPont 99A, pitch-black acrylic enamel, because it was easy to work with, cheap, and produced satisfying results. Picking a non-traditional color is also a fun option, that is, if you’re planning to hang onto the car. However, something really odd can limit your buying audience, even if the vehicle looks great. This 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe might be a case in point, as I’m guessing some bowtie fans might shy away from it because of the unusual color. Still, the Chevy appears to be in excellent shape, and the $17,000 asking price doesn’t sound unreasonable. Barn Finds reader Curvette spotted this one here on Craigslist in Puyallup, Washington, and we’d like to thank him for the tip!
My wife tells me I’m often not very good at naming colors, as I sometimes mistake blues for greens and vice versa, but I’m far from colorblind. If I had to say, I’d call the paint here a shade of violet, and since the exterior was reportedly restored quite some time ago, the finish still looks in very nice shape. It’s accented by some subtle flames on the front section, and custom pinstripes on the rear. The panels look straight and are said to be rust-free, so if you’re digging the hue, this one could survive as-is with no additional work outside.
A pair of inline-6 engines were available in the Deluxe for 1950, with the smaller one measuring 216.5 cubic inches, followed by the optional 235.5. The seller says this one has the larger engine, and it’s really cool that it now has a pair of carburetors! There’s also electronic ignition, a split exhaust system, and everything under the hood looks in good order and ready for action.
Fortunately, the interior looks every bit as good as the exterior. The dash, door panels, and both seats seem to be in excellent condition, and it’s fun to find that this one has the 3-on-the-tree column shifter. This 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe has a lot of great points, especially if you’re looking for an unusual color presentation. Would you drive this one as-is for the long haul, or do something different with the exterior finish?
WOW that’s some color!
As soon as the embargoes are lifted, this could easily cruise the boulevards of Havana! Viva Violet!
Great car, great color.
Not sure why anyone wants to put changes on this car when there are plenty of cars out there you could paint 2 tone, put different wheels on, or put as high or low as you want. Opinion: Split exhaust on these cars is the greatest sound in the auto world.
Next to a V12 at full song!
Because, as can be seen, a lot of work good work went into this car that has been fully appreciated. But too many commenters the finish is distasteful. Simple.
Not something I, or I imagine many, can afford, but we can still have an opinion.
For some reason the inline 6 detailed and chromed up makes this car seem even more attractive than if there was a non stock V8 in there. Andale!
I wonder if that might actually be a 261 transplanted in there? They were the hot ticket back in the day!
I have to agree with Jim, quite possibly the 261?? A friend of mine in high school had one like that in a 1939 Pontiac business coupe.. The only thing not to like are the wheels!! Makes it look like it has been lowered. It also looks like the front has been converted to discs??? That red spot behind the left front.
I agree, Brocky- it certainly looks lowered (sadly) and does appear to sport front discs.
All I’d do (before a major repaint to dark/light green as was originally available on those Shebies) is lightly buff out the flames and striping and spritz a warm creamy white from the belt line up.
I think the colour is great, I’d leave it just the way it is. Glad it’s got the six in it. Sixes don’t get enough love. I’d upgrade the brakes if they haven’t been already.
7gs off the asking price because the car needs to be repainted
Love the twin carbureted inline 6 with 3 on the tree & split exhaust. Not so much the wheels and color, though don’t mind it lowered.
This car needs subtle paint and steelies under the fenders, keeping it understated. Then it’s a nice chebbie.
I know people love these vivid colored cars and they should drive them. Habe fun. Enjoy. Never been my cup of tea.
Heck why not go whole hog? I would paint some flames on the sides and upgrade to triple carburetors. Nice
Never mind. I just took a close look at the picture and it has ghost flames on the hood. Nice.
I like it! Well done custom. I agree with the wheel comments. I’m thinking chrome reverse with stock dog dishes. Engine mods work for me. The color is not my style. (The wheels kind of go with the color)
Love the color, looks good on that Chevy…
I’m usually a keep it stock proponent but I like the modifications on this car. I think the color wouldn’t be my first choice but I could grow to like it. The interior, while not stock upholstery is nicely done. The power train is also a strong point for me. You could have some fun playing with a different style wheel as some people have mentioned. I’m not going to be a buyer because it’s on the wrong coast for me. GLWTS.
That 235 should do a trick or two out on the street. Those could be juiced up to run quite fast actually.
This would be a nice driver if not for that color.
The babitt rod 216 had the nuts on top of the valve cover where the 235 did not. This appears to be 216.
the early (1950-1952, and manual transmission 1953) 235’s had the babbitt bearings, dip oiling, and the same setup for attaching the valve cover. This still might be the 235, but 216 is more likely, due to the 3 speed.
I’m not a fan of that color on this car. It needs a smart black, red, or Royal Blue for the perfect touch.
I saw a lot of these growing up. My father would buy them used and cheap. Fix them mechanically and sell them for a profit. Must have seen at least 20 different ones in the garage. Always the strip model, never the top end.
Hi Angel 😇! My Dad and I did that too before I started touring.
We’d look in the paper 🗞️ for them or listen to Want Ads Of The
Airwaves on.WHOW out of Clinton, Illinois. Thing was, you could pick ’em up all day long for
$25-$50 for a real good one and
like Joisey, they were everywhere.
We even got a 235 engine given to us for hauling it out of an old
man’s garage! We swapped that
engine into a ’49 fastback we got
from a guy over in Fairbury for $10. We painted it a dark maroon
with a case of spray paint and the
results turned out pretty good for
what it was. We sold it to my older sisters boyfriend who rolled
it twice in the curves on Route 9
near Ellsworth. As for this car, I’d
paint it either cream or butter yellow with a dark maroon roof.
The engine and tranny could stay
but that damned torque tube would be heave how’d in favor of
a later 12 bolt GM rear end so that the car could be converted to
an open driveline. What I like about these cars is they were cheap to buy, cheap.to fix, and parts for them were everywhere.
Even the big 302 Jimmy inline 6–
which we put into a ’53 or ’54 Bel
Air sedan with help from my Uncle Dean and his two sons. Yep, we had quite a time working
on these old Chevys. Had a ’52
and a ’49 DeLuxe 4-door sedan too. Swapped a 230 into the ’52
when my kid sister spun a bearing in the original 235. After
that, the ’52 was used to pull an.
Airstream camper out to Yellowstone and back. Missed that trip due to touring but I was
told about it when my family came back. Wound up selling both of them as I had no real time
to.work on.them. Between touring in the summer and playing one nighters on weekends during the fall, my dance card was full. What time I
had left went to doing my homework. But I digress. Angel 😇, I was beginning to worry about you until I saw your post at
the Castilian post a few days ago.
When you and I last spoke, you had a lot on your plate and were
really busy. I hope you finally got it all squared away. Write ✍️ when you get time. Nice car, but
like the ’49s better.