Featured is a fine looking, restored 1947 Chevy Fleetmaster Convertible. The war had been over since 1946, the economy was doing great and the public was buying new cars. The automobile industry would have a very successful year. Chevrolet opened two more assembly plants, one in Flint, Michigan and one in Van Nuys, California.
The 1947 Chevrolet
The styling of the 1947 Chevrolet was very similar to that of 1946. There was some change to the grille design, the dashboard was redesigned and the cab received new Unisteel styling but mechanically the 47 model was the same as the previous year.
Chevrolet produced seven different passenger car models for 1947. This does not include their light truck line. The Chevy convertible model such as the one featured here was named a Cabriolet.
The Race For New Postwar Styling
Passenger car styling immediately after the war was a rehash of 1941/1942 models with some cosmetic changes depending on the automaker. This of course was due to all automakers concentrating on building vehicles and in some cases aircraft for the war effort.
As a result all automakers worked on their own time table and new postwar styling introductions were staggered. Interestingly, Studebaker for the 1947 model year was the first automaker to come out with a modern postwar design. Their slogan at the time was..“First by far with a postwar car”.
General Motors was the first automaker to release their new post-war trucks during the 1947 model year. In the case of Chevrolet, the top truck brand at the time, they did come out in 1947 with their new postwar Advance Design light and medium duty truck line. This replaced Chevy’s AK Series trucks. The Advance Design Series would run from 1947 to 1954. To give you an idea of new truck demand, Chevy truck production increased from 77,000 in 1947 to 106,000 in 1948.
General Motors unveiled their new post was design lineup for the 1949 model year. This included Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile. For Chevy as well as the other models, things like clam shell fenders and running boards were gone. What replaced them were flow-through fenders and envelope bodies. These new postwar Chevys were sleeker and gave off a lower profile. There were fourteen new models for 1949 and these were divided between the Fleetline and Styleline Series.
1947 Chevrolet Convertible Specifications
As mentioned above, the mechanics of the 1947 Chevy’s were identical to the 46 models. The 1947 Chevy was built with a 216 cubic inch Inline Six delivering 83 HP.
Transmission was a three speed manual. It would be 1950 when Chevrolet introduced it’s Powerglide automatic as an option.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Front suspension was independent coil springs with rear suspension being semi-elliptical leaf springs.
Dimensions include a wheelbase of 116.0 inches, overall outside length 197.8 inches.
Curb weight was 3,190 lbs.
Total Chevrolet 1947 production was 672,000 vehicles. From the number 28,400 convertibles were built which make these models fairly rare.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below..
1947 Chevrolet Half Ton
1949 Chevy Deluxe Woody Wagon
Reference material for this article includes…Complete Book of Collectible Cars by the Editors of Consumer Guide…Cars of the 1940’s by the Editors of Consumer Guide…Great Cars Of The 1940s by Rh Value Publishing..,General Motors Heritage Center.
1947 Chevrolet Collector Cars
The 1947 Chevrolet is an interesting collector car. The basic design was prewar but had some minor cosmetic touches added. The 1947 Chevy makes a good starting point to begin a collection whereas examples in good overall condition found today are very reasonably priced.
The current price range for restored examples in excellent condition are priced at about $30,000 to $45,000. Originality, degree and age of restoration are determining factors.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)