Sometimes you need to think about the family.
Off Topic question on possible project
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: Seguin TX
Off Topic question on possible project
OK guys i love my C3 and especially when I head out early morning and just cruise or when my wife and I go for a nice evening cruise but I do have 2 kiddos that like to go as well and I want to go in style on the weekends. This is a project that I am looking at (pic below) and what I am looking for is recommendations on a 4 seater (or this one) to start on or purchase. Any comments are welcome here.
1949 Chevrolet Stylemaster AKA Fleetline.
1949 Chevrolet Stylemaster AKA Fleetline.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 31
From: Brant County Ontario
OK guys i love my C3 and especially when I head out early morning and just cruise or when my wife and I go for a nice evening cruise but I do have 2 kiddos that like to go as well and I want to go in style on the weekends. This is a project that I am looking at (pic below) and what I am looking for is recommendations on a 4 seater (or this one) to start on or purchase. Any comments are welcome here.
1949 Chevrolet Stylemaster AKA Fleetline.
1949 Chevrolet Stylemaster AKA Fleetline.
I have a '51 sedan project that I paused to do the 'vette.
Is that the car in question? Looks like a nice one.
From the factory they used essentially the same front end as the c1 corvette. parts are spendy but available. Lots of these cars get 'clipped' - I put a Mustang II front end under mine, used an aftermarket (Chassis Engineering) crossmember and heidts upper/lowers, 2" dropped spindles. Haven't driven it yet, can't comment on ride. Reviews are positive.
What motor is in it?
If it's all original, then it's got the inline 6, 3 speed torque tube setup. 49 brake parts are getting rarer but still available. lots of folks swapped the rear end out for a '51-52 which uses the bendix over the earlier huck style.
If it's a small block chevy, then you're going to want to take a very close look at how it's installed. The transmission mount is usually in the way of this swap and much fabrication is required to get it all to fit.
More info. Ask me anything. I've been in and through mine so many times I often breath rust.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 31
From: Brant County Ontario
Wait a sec... that car's been CHOPPED.
Be sure it was a convertible to begin with. The 'verts used a different - better - stronger frame. IF when you look under it you see no cross bracing - like an |X| shaped frame - and instead you see just the basic H shaped frame, then it was originally a coupe. I wouldn't drive it if that's the case, let alone own it.
Also, I don't see any glass in it. Glass is expensive.
EDIT: Read things through should be some kind of new years resolution.
Ok- I see CE gear, already swapped out for a modern-er small block, open drive conversion. Lots of work done there. Still, make sure it started life as a 'vert.
Be sure it was a convertible to begin with. The 'verts used a different - better - stronger frame. IF when you look under it you see no cross bracing - like an |X| shaped frame - and instead you see just the basic H shaped frame, then it was originally a coupe. I wouldn't drive it if that's the case, let alone own it.
Also, I don't see any glass in it. Glass is expensive.
EDIT: Read things through should be some kind of new years resolution.
Ok- I see CE gear, already swapped out for a modern-er small block, open drive conversion. Lots of work done there. Still, make sure it started life as a 'vert.
Last edited by davidchristopher; Jun 11, 2014 at 08:33 PM.
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I don't like the wheels. 
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
Wait a sec... that car's been CHOPPED.
Be sure it was a convertible to begin with. The 'verts used a different - better - stronger frame. IF when you look under it you see no cross bracing - like an |X| shaped frame - and instead you see just the basic H shaped frame, then it was originally a coupe. I wouldn't drive it if that's the case, let alone own it.
Also, I don't see any glass in it. Glass is expensive.
EDIT: Read things through should be some kind of new years resolution.
Ok- I see CE gear, already swapped out for a modern-er small block, open drive conversion. Lots of work done there. Still, make sure it started life as a 'vert.
Be sure it was a convertible to begin with. The 'verts used a different - better - stronger frame. IF when you look under it you see no cross bracing - like an |X| shaped frame - and instead you see just the basic H shaped frame, then it was originally a coupe. I wouldn't drive it if that's the case, let alone own it.
Also, I don't see any glass in it. Glass is expensive.
EDIT: Read things through should be some kind of new years resolution.
Ok- I see CE gear, already swapped out for a modern-er small block, open drive conversion. Lots of work done there. Still, make sure it started life as a 'vert.
Here are some more pics of whats been done.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,889
Likes: 3,324
From: NYC NY
Does it have side glass? It's not as easy as you may think to "make" a roof. You live it Texas right? You want to take the family along? Pretty hot in Texas no? No roof. No A/C. Think about this long and hard before you leap.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 2
From: Seguin TX
I am not leaping and just getting info. Waiting on more info on car as well. ALso looking for other recommendations on sweet 4 seaters kind of like this also.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 31
From: Brant County Ontario
I can't identify the front end, but it looks to be welded to the frame. This will crack and cause problems. That front end is NOT Chassis Engineering. The rear 4 link doesn't look like it's specific to the car, just a generic kit. Could be wrong there. CE makes specific parts for the postwar chevs, this car doesn't have them.
The fact that it started out as a coupe means it's not using the stronger frame. This car will be a death trap. As you're looking to put your FAMILY in it, I'd walk away. Plenty of awesome pre/post war cars out there. Keep looking.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 535
Likes: 8
From: London Ontario
Unfortunately I'm a little weary on this one as well. Just looking at the welds (not bad welds) on the suspension components things just don't look strong enough for 400+hp. Even the bolts used in the suspension do not appear to be grade 8.
It looks like a car built for show and not for hard driving on long trips.
