1950 CHEVROLET FLEETLINE DELUXE

In 1949, Chevrolet introduced the post-war Styleline featuring a brand new, low look and better aerodynamics. The fastback style of this body continued with the name Fleetline, as in previous years. Carried forward into 1950, 1951 and 1952 with make-ups, the same body design was marketed with 2-door and 4-door models in Chevrolet’s entry-level line Special and top-level line DeLuxe classes. In 1952, it remained in production only as the DeLuxe 2-Door Sedan and the fastback style was finalized. The 1950 example here in our Museum is the Fleetline DeLuxe 4-Door model with a high level of equipment. Offering no two-tone option, these fastbacks had remained in production since 1936 as the main Chevrolet body design. In this style, the trunk is not separate from the main body, and joins with the roof.

Chevrolet produced its 25-millionth car in 1950, and that year built a total of 1,498,590 vehicles, making it the best-selling US car maker. The 4-Door Fleetline DeLuxe was priced at 1,529 Dollars and sold 124,287 numbers. The most significant innovation of the year was the introduction of Powerglide automatic transmission. In 1950, Chevrolet’s competitors Ford and Plymouth did not yet have automatic transmission. Wheels and brakes were reduced in size against 1948 year models: the 1950 car’s tires went from 16-inch to 15-inch while the hydraulic drum brakes on four wheels went from 12-inch to 11-inch, as previous year. Trim was becoming more prominent: the popular accessories fitted that year were headlight rims with shades, the front external sunshade (visor) seen on this vehicle, chrome master grill guards in front and rear bumpers, rear fender skirts, chrome full wheel covers and wide white wall tires. Featuring even more than these items, the Fleetline in our Museum is a fully-equipped car.