Custom 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline Sedan

This restored 1949 Chevrolet Fleetline Deluxe four-door sedan is a mechanically-sorted driver with amenities such as a reclining front seat with a center armrest, cruise control, and air conditioning. It is powered by a GM Goodwrench-sourced crate 292ci inline-6 that has been upgraded with an aluminum radiator and is mated with a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission. The seller has owned the vehicle for nine years, adding about 28,000 miles during that time, and states that the vehicle runs and drives well at modern speeds thanks to a Ford Mustang II front suspension and an air-ride rear suspension. Finished in deep red metallic over a two-tone tan and burgundy vinyl interior, this Fleetline is now offered with extra upholstery material, spare trim pieces, and a clear Ohio title in the seller’s name.

This Fleetline was professionally painted in deep red metallic with a vented hood and features bright exterior accents for the front and rear bumpers, grille, window surrounds, sideview mirrors, moldings and more. The finishes are said to be in excellent condition and free of pitting, and although one strip of trim is missing at the passenger side lower rocker panel, it is included with the sale. Accent pinstriping has been added to the exterior along with “Ruby” cursive scripted lettering on the trunk. The car has vented windows located at both front and rear, and the seller reports a crack in the door glass. A light-duty tow receiver hitch is mounted beneath the rear bumper along with a single-outlet exhaust tip at the driver side.

Aftermarket five-spoke aluminum wheels are wrapped in tires of unknown age with good tread life remaining. The car’s front suspension architecture is a Ford Mustang II design with correct spring rates and shocks, and the rear underpinnings feature a custom air suspension. Braking is handled by disc brakes with rotors that are both cross-drilled and slotted for optimal cooling and performance.

The interior is fitted with an aftermarket reclining split-bench front seat that has been reupholstered in two-tone tan and maroon vinyl, with matching lap belts. The dash is painted in two-tone white with deep red to match the exterior and has a lockable glove compartment, an analog clock, an ash tray, and chrome accents. Amenities include an aftermarket cruise control system and an Old Air Products air conditioning setup that utilizes R134a refrigerant and has vents mounted beneath the dash in various locations. The headliner is not yet upholstered but the sale includes vinyl material which may be used.

Instrumentation is comprised of the car’s original gauges which have been professionally rebuilt and show a 100-mph speedometer along with gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, voltage, and oil pressure. An aftermarket tachometer has been added to the steering column. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 28k miles, which reflects the mileage driven since installation of the replacement motor. True mileage on the vehicle chassis is unknown.

The GM Goodwrench crate 292ci inline-six was installed in 2013 and has since covered 28k miles. Upgrades include a new wiring harness and an aluminum radiator with an electric fan. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The solid rear axle was sourced from an early 1990s Chevrolet Camaro and has a 3.23 gear ratio.

Photos showing the underside are available in the carousel.

The sale includes extra upholstery material for the headliner in gray and red vinyl, as well as roof bows and brightwork for the lower passenger side.