Projects 1951 Chevrolet 2 dr. What would you do with it?

Well, yet another vehicle follows me home today. I’ve had my eye on this one for a while, although it was “never for sale”. It’s all about timing I guess. So here is the story: I stopped by and spoke with the owner one afternoon and he provided a little history. This 51 Chevrolet has had only 4 owners since new. It was previously stored in a garage for years, moved to another location under a carport, which collapsed one day and left a dent in the trunk lid. It was now sitting in the yard for the last several years collecting leaves while the UV rays were taking their toll on the paint. The longer I spoke with the owner the more it seemed like he wanted to sell, but I dare not ask again as I have in the past. Then he says “make me an offer, It has not been started in several years". The closer I look at this vehicle the more I think it make have been a light restoration,(paint & interior) maybe in the 80’s but the owner had no knowledge of either. The carpet is not the original type, fabric on the seat may not be correct, but it appears mostly original other than that. 88,000 miles on the clock. The trim tag is coded as black paint, gray interior with gray pinstriped wheels (still on the vehicle). Oil change sticker in the door jamb indicates the next service is due in February 1960. Zero rust in the floors and trunk that I can see. Only two small rust spots located above the right fender skirt. So I go through the usual list in my head of things that will need to be done to get it back on the road such as a 6 volt battery, points, plugs, fuel tank and carburetor cleaning, brakes, etc. While I am doing that the owner says “it’s got a new fuel tank and never had fuel in it. So I inquire about the brakes, he says the brake system was drained years ago before it sat up. We agree on a price and I come back with the trailer. Now what do I do?....Flip it? Build a Custom? Slam it? Restore it? Maybe I’ll just get it running, wash it and drive it. <?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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and some wheels and drive it.

 

Just drive it and have a ball. If you decide you like it then you can decide the next move.

 

That's a beauty. I'd give it a light restoration and make a sleeper out of it with a period correct V8.

 

Sell it to someone who already knows what they would do with it.

 

I'd sell it and keep the two chicks sitting in it.

 

yep. gotta keep those. They jumped in it time it hit the ground

 

Get it running and driving, polish it up, play with it next summer and see if you want to keep it, its pretty close to a stock survivor it will be much easier to sell as a driver. I'd leave the car as is either way, unless you're just dying to tear one apart, enjoy it until you tire of it and pass it on.

 

Clean it up, swap in an early Olds V8, drive the snot out of it...

 

I agree,nice little sbc.

 

Very cool find.. I would slam the front, put 1" or 2" blocks in the back, get rid of the visor and skirts, shine the paint the best you can, change to 12V and put a "For Sale" sign in it that affords you a hefty profit and drive the hell out of it...

 

Leave the visor , and for that , the skirts too , lower the front , block the back , a nice late '50's staggered valve covered 283 / powerglide , put key in ignition switch , and no further instructions needed or offered...

 

lower it on nice wheels and roll it till the wheels fall off.

 

Great find! Unless you don't want to mess with it I'd get it safe and road worthy, clean it up a little and drive it until you decide that it's something you want to keep. If not it will be a lot more marketable as a driving car. I wish I could find one like that!

 

very nice trailer---that car looks to be the desirable business coupe in nice condition ---congrats...

 

A 51 Deluxe Styleline Coupe. A manual trans car? Me, I'd yank the 216 out, keep the stock trans/torquetube drive line/rearend, and drop a later model 250 six back in. Easy to do with a modified Chevy II bell housing and Chassis Engineering mounts. That's what I was going to do with my 51 Bus Coupe, before I lost interest and gave it to my nephew; we them swapped in a V-8-automatic-56 rear end combination. I even had the old Speed Gems adapter for what I had planned to do. If the 216 is sound, then maybe do a mild restoration, and drive it on weekends, shows, and rod runs. It looks like too good of a survivor to modify too much. JMO, Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Take it to Moultrie...

 

Being who I am, I'd do what few others would do, and keep the 216.
Aluminum pistons, chopped flywheel, and 3:55 gears will keep it alive for some serious driving.

In fact, that's just what I'm doing with my chopped '50 coupe. (With original engine!)
You can read about the build-up HERE: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=19145

And for a look at a 216 build from the deeper end of the pool (pressure oiling, Packard trans, etc.), check out Mo's Build #I, HERE: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/group.php?do=discuss&group=&discussionid=19145

 

drive it as is!

 

I would drive it as is, too

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Drive as it is with one exception. Lower just the back 2 to 3 inches.

 

www tires duels 2" lowering blocks and drive the shit out of it

 

I will be honest with you I like it just the way it sits

Really a classic looking ride for sure.

Jimbo

 

Nothin' wrong with it as is. Later down the road, some wheels & tires might make it pop a little more.

 

I don't know how much you want to invest, but here is what I would do, high gloss black paint, renew needed chrome, clean inside, make it nice, clean and repair engine etc., as needed, and sell it as a good "Low Rider" project. Maybe even for yourself.

 

Nice find.drive it as is.

 

lose the visor and skirts, drop in a 283/327 4 gear and drive it.

 

Drive the piss out of it! Change things as time and money allows.


Dustin

 

wide whites, lowered, and go. looks too nice to chop up.

 

Drive it as is and have a blast with her! That's a sweet car, I'm loving it!