Recently several fellow HAMBer's have suggested these particular Chevrolet coupes or sedans for project cars which piqued my interest in them for my next build. They are, in my opinion, not only really nice looking cars in their original look, but killer beautiful as customs. That coupled with the fact my grandmother drove me all over San Antonio back in the 50’s spoiling the hell out me in one of them, and the apparent availability of part for them in the cl***ifieds has me thinking seriously about putting one on my wish-list for my next “Custom". However….I’d like to ask you guys a few questions first if you don’t mind. Are most parts such as interior & exterior trim and engine compartment, either original or aftermarket, fairly easy to find at a relatively decent price? (I mean relative to Pontiac or Cadillac parts of the same era. Are there any parts in particular dang-near impossible to find? Are there any out of the ordinary serious problems with frames or bodies that would be worth mentioning, I mean other than the usual rot, such as “Most frames tend be cracked beyond repair at such and such a spot.”? Thanks for any suggestions,….I’m just making an attempt to be sure I won’t be getting into some I wish I hadn’t.
you can find everything http://www.chevyofthe40s.com http://www.nationalchevy***oc.com/ and by going to local swapmeets.
every part that I looked for was able to find in about 10 minutes of less on the net, lots of aftermarket parts as well. like V8 conversion kits, there is only a couple little patch panels that took me a couple days to find.
Probably easier finding parts for these than a Ponco, Caddy, etc. These are good cars and nice to see over a typical Tri-Five. My uncle has about a dozen of them, but I've got other projects ahead of doing one of them. Plus as far as that era goes I'd much rather a Buick, Caddy, or Olds fastback.
Would you like to buy one ? 1940 Chevrolet 4 door sedan for sale in the cl***ifieds . There are lots of parts around new, used, and aftermarket .
The only things you have to watch for are I've seen some where the left A-post rots and one of them was bad enough the door pulled off, and when they sit on the ground the frame can rot enough to break right in two under the middle of the car. But as long as the frame is good, they reproduce just about the entire underbody - mounts, pans, rockers, lower doors, lower quarters, tail pan, gas tank, heck there are even gas tanks made to take fuel injection type pumps. The other nice thing is you have tons of options to upgrade them - there is so much aftermarket support for these cars now there is absoloutely no reason to cut up the frame. The stock front end unbolts and if you don't want to drop the bucks for a Mustang-II kit a Jaguar XJ sedan front end from '74-'85 is pretty easy to install. Same deal out back, there are rearends that will bolt right on the stock springs, and there's at least four different 1-800 options if you want to change those springs - from Posies springs to kits that replace everything including the mounts. And last but not least there's a bunch of ready to use options for motor and trans mounts, although the trans mount in particular is pretty easy to fab up. Just to give an example, I've been playing with one for a while now and by wheeling and dealing I'm actually ahead money on the car.
They drive and handle well in stock form, if the front end is in good shape that is, and tri 5 chevy and second gen rear ends are a bolt in if you want to go to open drive line. After t******* the firewall braces SBC will go in with no problems. I shoe horned a nailhead in my '50 sedan delivery.
They are pretty cheap to buy and easy to find stuff for even here in the rust belt ..6yr production run = lots of cars built ...I think a rusty ch***is would be my biggest concern as RustyNewYorker mentioned ,if you live where rust is an issue..
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDo***ent> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <woNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDo***ent> </xml><![endif]--> I have been running this one for Fifteen years, part are easy to find, not as easy as they were years ago then Rod & custom ran a article on the 49 to 54 Chevy as being a affordable car then the price jumped.
That sums it up perfectly. Exactly what I was going to say. And I find it interesting to hear people speak of rust issues on the frame. While I am NOT doubting anyone, My '51 has serious rust in the sheetmetal on the bottom, yet everyplace I've been able to see the frame (the entire bottom and sides, and a good bit of the top) it has nothing but the usual surface rust. When I get the body off, I may find something, but I've seen enough good to know that if there is anything to be found, it will be easily fixable. And as for the "why" question- I like the basic body style. I didn't set out to buy a 51 Chevy. I set out to buy a fun project car. This one jumped out at me (and I'm a Ford guy)
Why....Tons of aftermarket support, everything fairly easy to find, easy to upgrade, and make some of the most beautiful customs around. Just my opinion, find a complete one and enjoy it stock as you work on it. They are out there, just be patient.
Thanks for the tips,....I do appreciate them. Greaser815,.....that's not bad advice. I've never done that, and as a result I was always in a big hurry to get a project done so I could drive it and ended up being in a hurry, which can be frustrating to say the least. I may have to do that. I've never been able to kick back and take my time.
lots of aftermarket parts. it is harder to find interior panels and material for 49-52 than the 53/54 I believe. you can find aftermarket stainless and grills for most of the years as well as bumpers. plenty of susp parts for any of the years. just figure out if you prefer the swooped rear fenders of 49-52 or the upright tail lights of 53/54. biggest decision is hardtop, coupe or fastback...
just a great looking car that's adaptable to just about any style/era you want more parts here http://www.truckandcarshop.com/
Compared to Cadillac parts Chevy parts are cheap and easy to find. Your heading in the right direction. CRUISER
Y'all convinced me,.....well you guys and several dozen photos of finished cars. Come June I'll be diggin' around for a project,....thanks the help.
Great cars ... Have two. As far a the rot a rust goes . I think they were very well built . As I live in the salty air south... Were everything rots. These cars hold up very well I think. Haven't really seen a bad one here... Unless they were severely abused or.....crushed because someone back in the day didn't want it.
my car of choice- an 54 post. not because its trendy, but because it was my first car. now i am glad i made that choice. so many directions to build it depending on tast. and best of all no bodys repoping them like the cookie cutter deuce
The grilles seem to be in demand and a good one is hard to come by sometimes, also coupe garnish moldings, seats also seem to be in demand. As said most parts available and lots of owners on here to help out too.
49-54 chevys.. the possibilities are endless, hot rods, customs, complete restorations, especially when divied up between 49-52, and 53-54.. (what i dont understand is why Hemmings seems to group Fords through 53, and then 54 to beyond.. isnt the 54 better related to the 52 and 53 models?)
I was looking for an early '70's GM A-Body when I found my '50. It was to nice to modify. Ive really enjoyed it. So, I kept it original and decided to build a '52 Fleetline. Not as many put there as the TRI-fives or muscle cars. These are cool when chopped....bagged.... Rodded....or stock. Bottom line is they are blank canvases to do with what you want. Other parts suppliers are: www.patricksantiquecars.com Eckler's Early Chevy Go for it!
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