1953 Chevrolet 210 2-Door Sedan
If you are thinking about owning a classic Chevrolet form the early 1950's, you know something you can hop into and go for a cruise down to your local McDonald's, (it started in 1954), or just wasting gas cruising listening to Bill Haley and The Comets, or maybe showing off your girl's new poodle skirt, all in near showroom style, then this 210 will grab you and never let go. Very well kept with recent service to the fuel system and rebuilt front wheel cylinders, this 950 non actual mileage version of the 1953 210 is ready to show you the way and wow the crowds while doing so.
Exterior
Large rounded over steel slab sides, fenders and rear quarters are peppered with an abundance of chrome for this overall concerto of Chevrolet engineering from 1953. Horizon Blue paint shows as slight dulling but overall is in good condition with areas of previously repaired rusting, haphazardly done body work, cracking, and some chip offs on several of the lower edges of this car. From its sleek styled jet age chromed hood ornament to the headlight bezels, bumpers and mirrors and handles, all chrome on this car has retained its shine with just a few minor areas of dulling particularly in the tail light bezels. Looking at the profile we see a front to rear trim spear that slices right through the mid section of this car. A bullet-like bulging rear quarter has a large trim piece curving with its profile on the bottom, and a small topper spear that looks rearward. Also breaking up the baby blue are chromed rocker trim pieces. Car manufacturers of this era quickly realized that chrome sells, and this car has an abundance of it including around all windows, and completely wrapping the car at the beltline which frames the bottom of the roof. Bringing up the rear, just aft of the wraparound rear glass all framed with wide stainless, is a large bulbous trunk lid. A lower chrome bumper with guards in the center, oval bezel tail/backup lights and Chevrolet central badging on the back of the trunk. Thin whites are on all 4 corners and are covered with dog dish bowtie badged chromed covers.
Interior
A swing of the doors and we see some early jet age influence in the form of dark blue stitched vinyl lowers on the door panels with some chrome colored zig zag trim separating the pattern broadcloth uppers. The sills are dark blue and nice chrome is adorning the actuators and cranks. Moving inside, we see 2 large benches, one split in front and another in the rear stretching from C pillar to C pillar. The front bench is covered in blue and white tweed with darker blue broadcloth on the tubs and 1/3 of the rear seat upper. A two-tone dash in dark blue and a lower strip of Horizon Blue steel presents as original with plenty of vertical ribbed chrome trim, and a nice clean instrument cluster all with black faced gauges with white lettering. A large dark blue bakelite steering wheel with a circular horn ring in the center and chevy badge hub is fronting this dash. Above the central chromed ribs is a Chevrolet badge in grandmother's handwriting, and within the thin light blue band on the lower dash is a factory AM radio. Up top the headliner is tight and original mohair presenting with a warm faded with age look that presents a beautiful contrast to the new front seat covering but does have some water staining and taped repairs. New dark blue carpeting floods the floors and is very clean.
Drivetrain
Sitting within an unrestored, patina, all original engine bay is a 235.5ci inline 6-cylinder engine. This has a 1-barrel carburetor atop, and a 3-speed manual transmission on back. The very back has a 3.70 geared rear. Our consignor states a new battery, a recent oil change and fresh antifreeze good to -24 degree fahrenheit is in the cooling system. Our consignor also notes that a new fuel tank was recently installed along with new fuel lines, a new filter and the carburetor was cleaned.
Undercarriage
Underneath shows passage of time in a dry environment with a good amount of surface rust and plenty of black steel with patina finish. We do note some invasive rust on the inner rockers and body hangers. Independent coil spring suspension in front, and leaf spring suspension in the rear with 4-wheel drum brakes makes up this simple undercarriage. Dual exhaust with Cherrybomb mufflers is in charge of spent fossil removal.
Drive-Ability
A comfortable interior with a slow crank, but quick fire up to idle as it came to life and I headed to the test track. I experienced a 3-speed that shifted smoothly, and a car that drove very nicely. Overall a great cruiser that has nice power as one lets it go up through the 3 gears forward, and this car handles well despite its weight. The radio wouldn't belt out any AM tunes, the reverse lights did not illuminate and the heater blower did not blow but all other functions worked as designed. 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 well preserved car throughout its lifetime, as it has been well cared for, has a few faults but considering this year it will be 72 years young still looks great. Some new upholstery, fuel system maintenance, a snappy color and plenty of 50's chrome adornments, how can you go wrong? You ain't nuthin but a hound dog!
