1953 Chevrolet DeLuxe 210 Series

The 1953 Chevrolet 210 was the Deluxe level and sold for about $100 more than their 150 Series siblings. The 210 received its name designation from the first three digits of the numerical series code. The Two-Tens had horizontal lower belt moldings that ran from the front to the rear. There were chrome windshield and window moldings, rocker panel moldings, and bright metal rear gavel guards with short spears near the top. Inside, the 210 Series had a two-spoke steering wheel with a horn ring, cigarette lighter, dash panel ashtray, dual sun visors, and a 39-hour stem wind clock. Interior door handles had bright metal inserts in the black plastic knobs. The front seats had foam rubber seat cushion pads, and armrests. The sedan and coupes had rear armrests and the four-door sedans had a rear compartment ashtray. The two-door sedan and coupes had one ashtray in each armrest.

Body styles included a 2- and 4-door sedan, a Club Coupe, Sport Coupe, a Convertible, and a 6- or 8-passenger station wagon. In 1953, the 'Sport Coupe' became known as the 'Club Coupe,' and the convertible was only around during the first half of the year.

The six-passenger station wagon was called the 'Handyman' and featured a folding second seat. The eight-passenger station wagon was called the 'Townsman,' and it had three seats with the second and third seats being stationary, but could be removed if needed. The 'Townsman' was dropped in 1954, along with the Sport Coupe.

Option equipment included heaters and radios. Pricing began at $1700 for the 2-door sedan and rose to $2,275 for the 8-passenger wagon. The most popular body style was the 4-door sedan which saw 332,497 examples produced. 5,617 were convertibles and just 7,988 were the 8-passenger station wagon.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: B53N036283

This 1953 Chevrolet 210 Sedan is finished in the original Woodland Green poly with the original green and gray interior. The odometer shows just 76,000 miles since new. Power is from a 235 cubic-inch, 125-horsepower six-cylinder overhead valve engine coupled to a Powerglide automatic transmission.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Glenmoor Gathering Auction presented by Classic Motorcar Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $10,000 - $15,000.

by Dan Vaughan

Two-Door Sedan
Chassis number: B53N158908

This 1953 Chevrolet 210 Deluxe Two-Door Sedan was acquired new from Wigton-Bailey, Inc., of New Lexington, Ohio, by Evelyn E. Singer of Linton, Indiana, who paid $1,847.41. It is believed that the car remained with Ms. Singer until the late 1970s, when it was acquired by Tom and Helen Higgins of Jasonville, Indiana. They acquired it because it was an identical example to the 210 Deluxe two-door sedan used to move their family from West Virginia to California decades ago.

The car is unrestored and well-preserved. There is a factory cloth interior, cloth wind lacing in the doors, and original Safety Plate glass. It is a low-option example with only a heater, dashboard clock, and fog lights. There are no power accessories, and it has the standard three-speed.

This car is currently in the care of its third owner.

by Dan Vaughan

The Chevrolet 210, also written as the Two-Ten, was produced from 1953 through 1957. The car served as a replacement for the Styeline DeLuxe model Series and did so in fine fashion, becoming Chevrolet's best selling model in 1953 and 1954. The base Chevrolet model was the 150 and the 210 followed its example yet offered its customers a little more in styling, options, and mechanical capabilities. They were available in a variety of body styles, capable of satisfying most customer's needs, demands, and desires.

The 210's sales were beaten by the popular BelAir in later years, even though the 210 had some similarities and was offered at a lower cost. The luxury amenities found on the BelAir could be added to the 210, a feature not available on the 150.

The Two-Tens were powered by a 235 cubic-inch engine from 1953 through 1955. Horsepower ranged depending on the gearbox selected. As the years progressed, the horsepower increased, reaching 136 in 1955. In 1955, a second engine became available, a 265 cubic-inch Turbo-Fire V8 engine rated at 162 horsepower. A three-speed synchromesh manual gearbox was standard on all Two-Tens, with a Powerglide offered as optional equipment.

For 1956 the 235 cubic-inch engine was rated at 140 horsepower, with a 265 cubic-inch unit rated at 170-225 horsepower available for an additional cost. For 1957, the 235, 265, and 283 engine was available. Power ranged from 140 through over 280.

by Dan Vaughan