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After World War II. most of the cars sold were warmed-over pre-war editions. It wasn’t until 1949 that the floodgates opened with all-new products, including those from Chevrolet. Due to pent-up demand, Detroit was still keeping up with production and Chevrolet sold 1.25 million units in 1951 (with models little-changed from 1949-50). This Styleline Deluxe 4-door sedan was a big seller, accounting for 30% of sales that year. The seller’s car is said to be all original except for the seat covers – and it may run with new gasoline added.
The Styleline Deluxe was the mid-range Chevy sold in ’51. It came with a 216 cubic inch “Stovebolt” inline-6 which was good for 90 hp (these were functional automobiles, not speed demons). As was typical of the day, most were paired with a 3-speed manual transmission, often called “3-on-the-tree” because it was column-shifted. This pairing applies to the seller’s can which was likely a barn find. He/she has too many projects in progress, so the Chevy needs to move on.
As was common in the era, this Chevy was finished in black paint and there’s no reason not to think this isn’t the original paint. The same can be said for the interior at 58,000 except for the material on the seats. We assume this Styleline was inactive for a good time when the seller found it and half of the photos are of it on a trailer, likely as it was moving to its next home.
We’re told the six-banger will turn over, but there’s no gas in the tank to help it fire. If it were emptied before the car went into storage, that would be a great stroke of luck. No indication is made as to what it will take to get the Chevy going, but it might not require much more than new fuel, a battery, and probably new tires. From Las Vegas, Nevada, this 73-year-old sedan is available here on craigslist for $6,300 OBO.
