1949 Chevrolet Deluxe Series

With Chevrolet's return to civilian automobile production in 1946 following World War II, its vehicles were essential mildly updated versions of the 1942 models. The base model was the Stylemaster and the upper model was the Fleetmaster. Both came standard with a 216.5 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine with overhead valves, four main bearings, 6.5:1 compression, and developed 90 horsepower at 3,300 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was used for both models, as was the 116-inch wheelbase chassis.

The immediate post-war Chevrolet models continued to receive mild updates year-over-year until 1949 when the first all-new postwar Chevy cars were introduced. The modern styling was lower and sleeker, on a 115-inch wheelbase platform with an overall length of 197 inches. The station wagon body styles were slightly longer at 198 inches. The box girder frame received a knee-action suspension in the front with direct, double-acting shock absorbers. In the back were rubber-insulated semi-elliptic springs with metal covers and direct double-acting hydraulic shock absorbers. Stopping power was provided by 11-inch hydraulic drums at all four corners.

The 'show-window-size' glass improved vision by thirty percent. Additional safety improvements included the lower center of gravity, new 'Center Point' seating cradled passengers between the wheels, and 'Certi-Safe' hydraulic brakes improved stopping. The interior was more luxurious with extra-wide 5-foot, foam rubber cushioned seats, 'Hand-E-Gearshift' gear changing, push-button starting, and dual windshield wipers. New 'Variable Indirect' instrument cluster lighting illuminated the redesigned dashboard.

Standard amenities on the Special Series included black rubber rear fender shields, hood ornament and emblem, rear deck lid emblem, 6.70 x 15 tires on 5-inch rims, license guard on the front rubberized backs, and front and rear bumpers and guards. There were dual tail and stop lights, dual license lights, dual windshield wipers, rear fender crown moldings, front door push-button handles with integral key locks, and tasteful use of stainless-steel molding. The interior seats were upholstered with tan, striped pattern, pile fabrics with rubberized backs. Carpeting was in the rear of sedans and sport coupes, and black rubber floor mats were in the front compartment.

Body styles offered on the Styleline trim included a two- and four-door sedan, sport coupe, and business coupe. The two-door sedan was priced at $1,415, the four-door sedan at $1,460, the sport coupe at $1,420, and the business coupe at $1,340. The most popular was the two-door sedan with 69,398 examples produced, followed by 46,334 of the sedan, 40,239 of the sport coupe, and 20,337 of the business coupe.

The Fleetline was offered as a two-door sedan priced at $1,420 and the sedan at $1,460. Production of the four-door sedan surpassed two two-door with 58,514 of the former and 36,317 of the latter.

Approximately 86 percent of 1949 Chevrolet vehicles were the Deluxe Series, again offered in Styline and Fleetline trim levels and powered by the 216.5 CID engine. Deluxe models were identified by the 'Deluxe' name on the front fenders, additional stainless-steel moldings on the doors and front fenders, plus stainless-steel fender shields (aka gravel guards) at the back. The rear wheels also had fender skirts (wheel cover panels). The convertibles had chrome-plated side window frames and a left-hand outside rearview mirror. All body styles, except the convertible and station wagon, had window reveal moldings.

The interiors were more luxurious with tan cloth upholstery with a striped pattern in coupes and sedans. The convertibles had leather and tan Bedford cord, and the station wagons had tan leather fabric. Additional amenities included a two-tone tan and brown dashboard, simulated carpet floor mat inserts, a Deluxe two-spoke steering wheel, and two sun visors.

Body styles available on the Styline included a two-door sedan priced at $1,490, a four-door sedan at $1,540, a sport coupe at $1,500, a convertible at $1,860, and a wagon at $2,265. The station wagon was offered as either wood or steel-bodied wagon with four doors and seating for eight. The woody was slightly more popular with 3,342 units produced compared to the 2,664 of the steel-bodied wagons. Both the steel and wood wagon were available concurrently during the early part of the production, with the wood wagon fading away mid-year.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2022