Featured is a great looking 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Coupe. The Deluxe was a trim line of Chevy cars produced from 1941 to 1952. During the decade of the 40’s the Deluxe was Chevy’s sales leader. The Chevy Deluxe was produced as a two door and four door model. All deluxe models came with fender skirts and some came with white wall tires. Also, the Deluxe Chevy’s had stainless side trim and “Deluxe” script installed on the front fender.
The Chevy Deluxe models from 1941 to 1948 were of the prewar design. From 1949 to 1952 the Chevy Deluxe took on it’s new post war design. All Chevrolet automobiles sported the new post war design beginning with the 1949 model year.
The two Chevrolet series for 1950 were the Styleline and Fleetline. Under the hood you had the same automobile. The major difference was that the Styleline had “notchback” styling and the Fleetline had “fastback” styling.
The Production Switch After the War
It’s important to note that the American auto industry faced a different consumer after the war. Peacetime consumerism included a demand for rapid change and newer products to come out quickly. The post war automobile grew into a necessity of the modern age. The open road was beckoning.
Automakers including Chevrolet had to introduce a newer model each year to keep up with the demand. Demand was tremendous after the war since civilian car production was stopped from February 1942 through a good part of 1945.
Not only were fresh designs in short supply but factories had to be converted from military to civilian production. That took a lot of time to do. Since most war production involved trucks, truck production was easier and faster to segue into. Chevy was able to produce civilian trucks almost immediately after the war. An example of this is how Chevrolet was able to introduce to new Advance Design for their pickup line of trucks in 1947, two years ahead of the passenger car redesign.
Chevrolet Advertising.
Since 1950 was only the second year of Chevy’s new post war designs, the story of an all new Chevrolet design and options were still at the forefront of all advertising efforts. Following is an excerpt from a Chevy ad for their 1950 lineup…
“Why were so many people buying the new 1950 Chevrolet than any other car? Because they brought the best of everything in beauty, driving and riding ease, performance with economy, comfort and safety. Only Chevrolet offered so many new exterior 1950 Chevrolet paint choices, fifteen to be exact. Quality choices which were usually found only on America’s highest priced cars like Cadillac and Oldsmobile”.
Beginning in 1951 entertainer Dinah Shore sang “See The USA In Your Chevrolet” to millions of viewers each week at the end of her show. By the mid 1950’s the Dinah Shore Chevy Show was reaching about one-half of all U.S. homes. Chevrolet did know how to promote their cars. The song was composed in 1949 by Leo Corday and Leon Carr. The song resonated very well with the car buying public who really desired to hot the open road as mentioned above.
1950 Chevy Deluxe Coupe Specifications
Engine options in 1950 were two inline six’s, a 216 cubic inch with a stated 92 HP and a 235 cubic inch with 105 HP.
Transmission choices were a three speed manual and a two speed Powerglide automatic.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Front suspension were independent coil springs with rear being semi-elliptic leaf springs.
Dimensions included a 115 inch wheelbase and overall length of 197.5 inches.Curb weight was 3,100 lbs.
A 2 Door 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe sold for $1482.00 with the 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe 4 door selling for almost $50.00 more at $1529.00.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below…
1952 Chevrolet Deluxe Sport Coupe
Reference material for this article includes…20th Century Classic Cars: 100 Years of Automotive Ads by author Phil Patton..Chevrolet of the 1950’s: A Decade of Technical Innovation by David Temple.
The 1950 Chevy Deluxe Coupe Collector Car
Early 1950’s Chevrolet’s are cars you might regularly see at local classic car shows. Some of their popularity is tied into the fact that they represent that new post war design which had just come out in 1949. The cars are also relatively affordable for collectors and parts for restoration are not difficult to find.
As of this writing the asking prices for 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe models range from $10,000 to about $30,000 depending on originality, restoration and mileage. There are models priced higher but the average for a nicely restored model should be in the $25,000 to $30,000 area.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)