I have a 1949 Fleetline Aerosedan 4 door and I am looking for someone I can bend their ear. I am getting ready to straighten the body. An ex-employee cut all the interior bracing out of the car right after I removed the floor and chopped the top. With that happening the body is no longer correct. I am hoping someone has a car with a stripped interior. I am in search of measurements. Mainly interior width numbers, ie: distance between front doors, distance between back doors. The closer to the rockers the better since that is where the body flexed. I am also looking for measurements at the bracing below the rear window. Any help would be great. I looked online and the only paperwork I could find wasn't accurate enough. I can get a picture of the interior showing the floor missing if that would help shed light.
I guess it depends on what you mean by Aerosedans. My interpretation of the OP's description is the fastback design GM "A" body used from '49 thru '52. In '49 and '50', at least, Chevrolet (and Pontiac) built both 2 and 4 door versions of the fastback body style, the Chevys sometimes incorrectly called Fleetlines. I know this, in part, because I owned a '50 4 door Chevy fastback some years ago. But I have also seen others over time. If need be, I will post the body style numbers and verify whether or not the 4 door models were built after 1950. The last 2 door fastback Chevys were built in 1952..... I had one of those also, but the '52 seems to be very rare, '49 thru '51 are far more common. This has raised my curiousity.......I am going to hit the reference book and will post further info.
no need for reference books. 49-52 "fastbacks" were called Fleetlines. pretty sure by 52 they had stopped making 4 doors in the Fleetline series. Fleetline Aerosedans were pre 49, 2 door only. Fleetline was also a trim level on the "regular" cars, I think it was 4 doors only, but could be wrong on that one. there is no other correct interpretation of a Fleetline Aerosedan than the one given by Chevrolet. there was no 49-52 Aerosedans.
Well, many misnomers have been widely accepted, however erroneous they are. For example, the term "nailhead" was originally "nailvalve" because it was said the valves were so small they looked more like nails than valves. That was in the late '50s/'60s. Over time, that term evolved into the long since accepted use of "nailhead". Now, before you tell me, I'll admit neither term was never an official Buick designation, but common useage rules, eventually. Another example of an accepted corruption of a common saying....."I could care less".. meant to imply one does not care. But if you "could less less", then you must care some amount. The original phrase was, of course, "I couldn't care less". So, calling a fastback model an Aerosedan and/or a Fleetline is common enough to convey the correct image or meaning, however inaccurate it may be, and language purists just have another one to cringe about.
lots of people refer to all old cars as "roadsters" regardless of the body style. that does not mean it is somehow correct. just shows a lack of knowledge on the subject. not that there is anything wrong with that, if we we talking about Mopars of the same era I wouldn't know which one was which.
Okay, okay. I apologize for putting aerosedan. Does anyone have help or are we just going to bicker back and forth about a typo.
I have been working on old cars since the seventies, a lot of the terminology I use I picked up from guys that were hot rodding back in the 50's. I am not concerned about terminology and political correctness. I am looking for information and specifications. I really appreciate the history lesson and all. Can we get back on the subject.
I feel your pain........but I don't have one of those critters at hand to provide the needed info. Sorry... It seems to me, though, if you have doors it should be possible to figure out where the "B" pillar goes and the "C' pillar after that. Same for fitting the rockers, ***uming the "A" pillar exists and the dogleg for the "C" pillar. Not easy to be sure, but with care and lots of bracing as you progress, it ought to be doable even with specific measurements. In any case, best wishes with the build.
I have a 51 chevy four door stripped down and I believe they have the same measurement. I really don't care what my car is called cause it's mine! If I can help let me know.
one46chevy you and I have both have fastbacks. I will be ready to take measurements in about a week. Where I need to start is at the B pillar right where the floor and B pillar meet. Since mine is chopped I will start there and then ask for certain measurments at certain heights or spots. I will post picture of measurements and places I hope you don't mind me bending your ear for this stuff. I truly appreciate all the help in advance.
Sounds good. After I read that I do remember the smart one's refer to them as torpedo backs. one46chevy Thanks I will begin getting numbers compiled. I look forward to you helping meThanks a ton in advance.
Well, Chevrolet called it a Fleetline, despite what one poster here thinks, so I don't know why we don't use that so everyone with half a clue knows what we're talking about. These body shells differ from Styline in roof height and shape, all other dimensions are the same, with regard to door openings, body width and length, wheelbase, etc. -
Hi one46chevy. I wish I could help with your needed measurements on your 49 but if you need measurements about your name's 46 I can help with that as you can see by my avitar on this post. My 46 is a Styleline. One thing about these, we don't see very many 46's around. Good luck with your build. Jimmie
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