At Classic Auto Mall, we're privy to the stories that accompany every car that comes through our doors. These stories can be fascinating and at times, filled with emotion as a car that's been part of a family is subjected to the difficult decision to let it go. In rare instances, a well preserved car that is many decades old and from a single family possession crosses our doors and astounds even the most ardent classic car professional. Cars can't talk, but owners will tell the stories which get passed to family members and future owners.
For consignment, a 1952 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 4 door sedan coming to our Hallowed Halls as a 2 owner car having been treated to a lifetime of garage kept storage. Family owned since 1952, it's been carefully stored and received a paint job in 2011 and new upholstery in recent years as well. Stylelines are notable for removing the running boards which allowed the expansion of interior space, adding more comfort to a large and luxurious car.
Exterior Shinier than new, this wonderfully designed car wears two stage Cardinal Red and a contrasting White Diamond on the rounded roof and C-pillar. A robust grille over a wrap around bumper falls below the rising hood behind protruding headlights leading the front fenders. Those front fenders begin a slab side that travels back to the pontoon flared rear fenders, complete with gravel guards and skirts and traveling beyond the trunk lid in a symmetrical configuration, this is both subtle and bold. The body trim is just enough with a spear traveling the side, one flowing back from the gravel guard, and one that highlights the fuel door. Meanwhile, the white roof caps the car and waterfalls white on all three pillars while picking up on the wide white wall tires wrapped around 15-inch wheels painted red and capped by Chevrolet dog dish caps. Most of the metal work is in fine shape, other parts would benefit from some restoration. The paint and panel gaps are spectacular, and we were unable to find any major flaws to point out.
Interior All four doors wear white vinyl door cards with red pulls and with tasteful straight design grooves and silver trim. The front bench seat is nicely done with white vinyl and red piping that defines the pleated inserts and runs the perimeter of the seat and the back bench mirrors this design and both are in excellent condition. A black and red steering wheel is intersected by a horn ring and bowtie center cap and a white shifter rides tandem on top of the steering column. In front, the white gauges cluster is under a red metal dash cover and a polished metal grate in the center cleverly disguises two lever tracks in the design that hovers over the AM radio and a white glove box sandwiches the metal. Plush crimson carpet covers the floor, and the perforated white headliner completes the coordinated interior palette.
Drivetrain Under the hood, a very clean, very basic, and very blue 235.5ci inline 6 cylinder presents in driver quality, fed by a 1-barrel carburetor and rated at 105 horsepower. A 3-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear where 4.11 gears are found. For brakes, the car is equipped with drums on all four wheels.
Undercarriage Evidence that this car has been stored inside, the underside is in clean condition. There is surface rust in some usual spots but nothing approaching advanced or invasive in any way. The only errant fluid we see is some build up on the rear differential. A single exhaust enters a stock style muffler and then makes the long trip to the back of the car where it ends in a polished pipe. Suspension configuration consists of the standard coil springs in front and leaf springs in the back.
Drive-Ability I'm not sure why this car gives me I Love Lucy vibes, but it's from that period and you can just imagine her and Desi driving this beautiful car. Anyway, the six fired up without protest and we drove this 2 owner car around the test loop to see if the preservation efforts were fruitful. And indeed, every item of operation worked as it should and the car also tracked well and absorbed road bumps with ease. Naturally, visibility is very good with the high cab and large windows, just keep in mind that large front end and wide body. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
A car that's been loved by one family for more than 70 years and having received fresh cosmetics, makes it a show ready example from 1952! It's better than a barn find because it provides a turn key opportunity that will save you years of restoration and thousands of hours and dollars. This car has lived in Idaho, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Where will it end up next? You tell us.
5KKA6774
5-Kansas City, MO Assy Plant K-1952 K-Styleline Deluxe A-January Build 6774-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 52 1069-1952 Styleline Deluxe 4 Door Sedan BODY K2563-Kansas City Body # TRIM 211-Light Gray Chevron Cloth & Dark Gray Broadcloth PAINT 467-Dusk Gray
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
