26th Feb 2009, 11:12

My dad also had a 1950 Chevy DeLuxe (not sure if it was a Fleetline because the only marking on it said DeLuxe). I drove it in high school for a year, and off and on until he sold it in 2000.

It was a fun car, smooth riding, and pretty quiet. I agree, good for back road cruising and enjoying the drive. Ours had a top speed of about 55 because the gearing was so low. Not a highway car, but I'm sure it was made for an era when farmers still had to crawl through muddy roads and deep snow to get home. Wide steering wheel, and 3-on-the-tree. A fun car.

Only real drawback was the vacuum-operated wipers weren't up to the job in cold, and useless at idle with low engine vacuum.

7th Sep 2010, 17:30

I made the post in 2008, asking about whether I should buy a Fleetline in my area or not. I live in Henrico, VA and the Fleetline I mentioned is now for sale. I can't buy it currently - no available money - but I may ask the owners about holding the Chevrolet or something like that. I appreciate the responses and advice. Altogether, in my view, the Fleetline is much like the Prizm I currently own - unexciting by most if not all people's standards, but a well-made and faithful car that never lets the working man it was designed for down. If I can see about buying this black Fleetline at some point or another later on, I'll certainly do so.

10th Oct 2010, 23:07

I own a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe with Powerglide, and I am only the second owner.

It is true that these cars weren't built for speed, and they do not have full pressure oiling, so 55-60 is about tops.

My brother and I drove this car across the country from SC to Washington State in 1990, and the further west we came, the better it ran. Our only mechanical problem was it threw a fan belt in Knoxville TN.

My brother and I hope to re-cross the country next year, as it will be Chevrolet's 100th Birthday, and the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America is meeting in Flint, Michigan.

I think these Chevrolets were precision built, and are very comfortable to ride in; I would suggest after market seat belts, as they are a bit top heavy and could easily roll.