 1955 Series 150 | 1957 One-Fifty  |
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The One-Fifty, aka 150, was produced from 1954 through 1957 as Chevrolet's entry-level vehicle. The previous model to serve this function was the Styleline Special. The name 1500 was to be used, representing the production series number, but one digit was dropped and the 150 was formed. They were available as sedans, wagons, and club coupes (available until 1955).
The vehicle was a popular fleet vehicle, such as with small businesses, police, and other government uses. It was never a high seller, always selling less than the other vehicles in the fleet such as the Bel Air or the Two-Ten. It was a basic car with solid colors and plain trim. Most items were optional such as mirrors, ash trays, engines, and transmissions, to name a few.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2006
The vehicle was a popular fleet vehicle, such as with small businesses, police, and other government uses. It was never a high seller, always selling less than the other vehicles in the fleet such as the Bel Air or the Two-Ten. It was a basic car with solid colors and plain trim. Most items were optional such as mirrors, ash trays, engines, and transmissions, to name a few.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2006
A no-frills vehicle, the One-Fifty was built ultimately for speed and performance. The economy/fleet model, the Chevrolet One-Fifty, or ‘150' was introduced in 1953 until 1957. While other drivers may have typically gone for the flashy more modern vehicles with all of the bells and the whistles, some buyers wanted just basic speed for as little money as possible and were willing to go without the basic creature comforts. By dropping the hottest engines into inexpensive, light bodies, the Chevy One-Fifty was born.
With a base price of $1,734, the One-Fifty had a 3,117-pound curb weight and the two-door utility sedan was the lightest and least expensive model that Chevy offered in 1956. The austere exterior trim featured a single chrome side spear and small hubcaps were the only embellishments for the vehicle. Inside the One-Fifty was a single sun visor, rubber floor mats, no radio, clock or heater. In the rear, the windows were fixed, and the utility sedan featured a 31-cubic-foot cargo area was lined by 'dur-able composition-board loadspace walls' placed directly behind the single split-bench seat. The inside of the One-Fifty was only featured in one color choice, a beige and gold-striped vinyl with golden-flecked black pattern cloth as the sole trim combination.
1953 was the first year for the One-Fifty and the Two-Ten, models that were basically the same except for the business coupe being renamed the Utility Sedan in 1954. To capitalize on the numerical auto name trend of the 1950's, the name of the Chevy was created by shortening the production series number (1500) by one digit. In company literature, the numerical nomenclature '150' was haphazardly speckled throughout. The One-Fifty replaced the Styleline Special model that had been produced earlier, and lasted until 1957 when replaced by the Delray.
The design and production of the One-Fifty was brought about originally as a fleet model with little or no effort to market it to the average consumer, though sales weren't limited to fleets. The Chevy One-Fifty was quite popular with state governments, police, economy-conscious drivers, hot rodders and small businesses. During every year of its production, One-Fifties were least sold vehicles by Chevy.
1953 and 1954 models used three different engines that were not all available at the same time. In 1953, all One-Fifties used a 3-speed Synchromesh manual transmission and beginning in 1954, Powerglide automatic transmission was available on this series. For 1953 sedan delivery only the engine was 216 in³ 'Thrift-master' I6 rated at 93 hp, '53 standard equipment was the 235 in³ 'Thrift-King' I6 rated at 108 hp and in 1954 standard equipment was 235 in³ 'Blue Flame' I6 rated at 115 hp.
Basic, no extra's transportation, the Chevy One-Fifty had very limited options, solid colors, stark trim, rubberized flooring and plain heavy duty upholstery. Extra cost additions on the vehicle included such little features as mirrors, cigarette lights and even ashtrays. Boring, stark and bland, the One-Fifty was basic when side by side with the mid-level Two-Ten or premium Bel-Air models.
For 1955, a new chassis was introduced in the Chevy One-Fifty along with the introduction of Chevy's legendary Small Block V8. Purchasers of the One-Fifty were free to choose any power-train option available. For 1955 the business sedan was renamed the utility sedan for the year.
The following year, engine choices continued to remain basically the same except for higher hp ratings. The 265³ V8 engine was available in three different versions. Regardless of transmission type, the new I6 had a new unified build. In 1957 the 283 in³ small-block V8 was introduced. Very similar to the side trim in the ‘55's Bel-Air trim, the 150 was looking much fancier. A total of 56,266 Chevy 150 four-door sport sedans in 1957 were sold along with a total of 75,000 2-door versions.
By the end years of its production, the One Fifty began becoming more stylish as more standard equipment began becoming included in all Chevrolets including Bel-Air stainless steel side trim and an improved interior. Sedans, wagons and the club coupe were the body style choices of the Chevy One-Fifty. The body styles that were designed specifically fleet oriented, the One-fifty was available in sedan deliver; 2 door wagon without rear windows and the rear seat removed, and the business sedan; 2 door sedan with immobile rear windows and back seat removed.
The One-Fifty powertrain choices were limited to low output engine and manual transmissions until 1954. The 'Black Widow' was a full race ready variation that was introduced in 1957 and featured black and white paint colors. This variant was also equipped with 4 wheel heavy duty brakes, dual shocks and 6-lug wheels.
Today, Two-Ten and Bel-Air models are much more valuable models on the automobile collectors market in comparison to the One-Fifties. Premium prices can be received though for the rare surviving sedan delivery or Utility Sedan. Hot rod enthusiasts are still seeking V8 One-Fifties because of their lower curb weight and lower prices.By Jessica Donaldson
For more information and related vehicles, click hereWith a base price of $1,734, the One-Fifty had a 3,117-pound curb weight and the two-door utility sedan was the lightest and least expensive model that Chevy offered in 1956. The austere exterior trim featured a single chrome side spear and small hubcaps were the only embellishments for the vehicle. Inside the One-Fifty was a single sun visor, rubber floor mats, no radio, clock or heater. In the rear, the windows were fixed, and the utility sedan featured a 31-cubic-foot cargo area was lined by 'dur-able composition-board loadspace walls' placed directly behind the single split-bench seat. The inside of the One-Fifty was only featured in one color choice, a beige and gold-striped vinyl with golden-flecked black pattern cloth as the sole trim combination.
1953 was the first year for the One-Fifty and the Two-Ten, models that were basically the same except for the business coupe being renamed the Utility Sedan in 1954. To capitalize on the numerical auto name trend of the 1950's, the name of the Chevy was created by shortening the production series number (1500) by one digit. In company literature, the numerical nomenclature '150' was haphazardly speckled throughout. The One-Fifty replaced the Styleline Special model that had been produced earlier, and lasted until 1957 when replaced by the Delray.
The design and production of the One-Fifty was brought about originally as a fleet model with little or no effort to market it to the average consumer, though sales weren't limited to fleets. The Chevy One-Fifty was quite popular with state governments, police, economy-conscious drivers, hot rodders and small businesses. During every year of its production, One-Fifties were least sold vehicles by Chevy.
1953 and 1954 models used three different engines that were not all available at the same time. In 1953, all One-Fifties used a 3-speed Synchromesh manual transmission and beginning in 1954, Powerglide automatic transmission was available on this series. For 1953 sedan delivery only the engine was 216 in³ 'Thrift-master' I6 rated at 93 hp, '53 standard equipment was the 235 in³ 'Thrift-King' I6 rated at 108 hp and in 1954 standard equipment was 235 in³ 'Blue Flame' I6 rated at 115 hp.
Basic, no extra's transportation, the Chevy One-Fifty had very limited options, solid colors, stark trim, rubberized flooring and plain heavy duty upholstery. Extra cost additions on the vehicle included such little features as mirrors, cigarette lights and even ashtrays. Boring, stark and bland, the One-Fifty was basic when side by side with the mid-level Two-Ten or premium Bel-Air models.
For 1955, a new chassis was introduced in the Chevy One-Fifty along with the introduction of Chevy's legendary Small Block V8. Purchasers of the One-Fifty were free to choose any power-train option available. For 1955 the business sedan was renamed the utility sedan for the year.
The following year, engine choices continued to remain basically the same except for higher hp ratings. The 265³ V8 engine was available in three different versions. Regardless of transmission type, the new I6 had a new unified build. In 1957 the 283 in³ small-block V8 was introduced. Very similar to the side trim in the ‘55's Bel-Air trim, the 150 was looking much fancier. A total of 56,266 Chevy 150 four-door sport sedans in 1957 were sold along with a total of 75,000 2-door versions.
By the end years of its production, the One Fifty began becoming more stylish as more standard equipment began becoming included in all Chevrolets including Bel-Air stainless steel side trim and an improved interior. Sedans, wagons and the club coupe were the body style choices of the Chevy One-Fifty. The body styles that were designed specifically fleet oriented, the One-fifty was available in sedan deliver; 2 door wagon without rear windows and the rear seat removed, and the business sedan; 2 door sedan with immobile rear windows and back seat removed.
The One-Fifty powertrain choices were limited to low output engine and manual transmissions until 1954. The 'Black Widow' was a full race ready variation that was introduced in 1957 and featured black and white paint colors. This variant was also equipped with 4 wheel heavy duty brakes, dual shocks and 6-lug wheels.
Today, Two-Ten and Bel-Air models are much more valuable models on the automobile collectors market in comparison to the One-Fifties. Premium prices can be received though for the rare surviving sedan delivery or Utility Sedan. Hot rod enthusiasts are still seeking V8 One-Fifties because of their lower curb weight and lower prices.By Jessica Donaldson
 1956
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Average Auction Sale: $34,884 |
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| 1955 Series 150 | 1957 One-Fifty |
