1952 Chevrolet Deluxe

Description

From the 1940s through the early 1950s, the Chevrolet Custom Deluxe was one of the top-selling models on the market. It wasn't thought of as a performance vehicle. Neither was it considered a luxury automobile. The Custom Deluxe wasn't overly fast or fancy by any means. It was a sturdy, dependable car that provided reliable and affordable transportation to the common man. And as such, it has quietly emerged as one of the great sleepers of the classic car culture. This cool-looking 1952 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe shows how far a little ingenuity can carry one of these machines. This is definitely not your grandmother's grocery-getter.
The rich burgundy color that adorns this car lends itself very well to the sharply curved body lines of the '52 Chevy. It is an older paint job, a base coat/clear coat application from back in the 1990s. It still has an ample amount of luster, but it is beginning to show its age a bit with a few imperfections apparent. Both bumpers are a little pitted and have some surface rust. For all intents and purposes, the automobile looks basically stock on the outside, save for a nice set of 15" Eagle alloy wheels. The body appears solid and very straight. It is a worthy candidate for an in depth makeover at some point. This has all the makings of a really sharp automobile!

A quick inspection of the interior reveals that the paint and upholstery closely match the exterior color. The inside may be a bit dated, but it's in nice condition overall. You'll notice such amenities as a Hurst shifter, Corvette steering wheel, ample instrumentation, power windows, and an AM/FM 8-track in the glove box. There are a couple of areas that may need some attention, most notably the wipers, factory gauges and the rear window mechanisms. A little Saturday afternoon tinkering would more than likely remedy most interior issues.

If you're familiar with GM power plants, you already know the reputation of the 327 Chevrolet. A dependable, high-revving little screamer, it was the Chevy lover's choice for off-the-shelf high performance during the 1960s. The original motor in this Custom Deluxe was swapped out in favor of a 327 Corvette engine. This particular 327 received a full slate of bolt-on enhancements: a polished aluminum intake, Holley double-pumper four barrel, electronic ignition, and headers. Add an automatic transmission to the mix and you've got the kind of running gear that will make this little Chevy hunt the highway! The engine is due for some routine maintenance, so a good tune-up and a little tweaking of the ignition timing would make this car ready to rumble.

A lot of work has already been put into this car. The essentials are all there. A little more effort would take it to the next level. You already have a big head start toward making this a show quality classic. Take that next step and watch heads turn the next time you cruise the boulevard.