Chevrolet 150
Encyclopedia
The Chevrolet One-Fifty, or 150 was the economy/fleet model of the Chevrolet
car from 1953-1957. It took its name by shortening the production series number (1500) by one digit in order to capitalize on the numerical auto name trend of the 1950s. The numerical designation '"150"' was also sporadically used in company literature. It replaced the Styleline Special model available in previous years. This model was dropped following the 1957 model year and replaced by the Delray
.
True to Chevrolet's vision, the 150 was no-frills basic transportation. It had limited options, stark trim, solid colors, plain heavy duty upholstery and rubberized flooring. Small things like ashtrays, cigarette lighters and even mirrors were extra cost options. Compared to the mid-level Two-Ten or premium Bel-Air models, the One-Fifty was stark and bland. However, the model became a little more stylish in the last years of existence with previous year's Bel-Air stainless steel side trim and an improved interior due to more standard equipment being included in all Chevrolets.
Body style choices were also limited to sedans, wagons and (until '55) the club coupe. The only body styles specific to the One-Fifty were decidedly fleet oriented: the sedan delivery (a 2 door wagon without rear windows and the rear seat removed) and the business sedan (A 2 door sedan with immobile rear windows and back seat removed). Powertrain choices were limited to manual transmissions and low output engines until 1954. In 1957, a full race ready version was also available commonly known as the "Black Widow" for its black and white paint color. It was equipped with 4 wheel heavy duty brakes, 6-lug wheels and dual shocks.
engine, although these all are latter-day modifications) can command premium prices. V8 One-Fifties are popular with hot rod enthusiasts due to lower curb weight and lower prices.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
car from 1953-1957. It took its name by shortening the production series number (1500) by one digit in order to capitalize on the numerical auto name trend of the 1950s. The numerical designation '"150"' was also sporadically used in company literature. It replaced the Styleline Special model available in previous years. This model was dropped following the 1957 model year and replaced by the Delray
Chevrolet Delray
The Chevrolet Delray debuted in 1954 as an optional trim level on the mid-range 210 series of Chevrolet's full-size car. It later became a distinct series of its own.-1954-1957:...
.
History
The One-Fifty was mainly conceived as a fleet model and little effort was spent marketing it to the average car buyer of the day although sales weren't limited to fleets. It was most popular with police, state governments, small businesses, economy-minded consumers and hot rodders. Chevrolet sold substantially fewer One-Fifties than Two-Tens or Bel-Airs in every year of its life.True to Chevrolet's vision, the 150 was no-frills basic transportation. It had limited options, stark trim, solid colors, plain heavy duty upholstery and rubberized flooring. Small things like ashtrays, cigarette lighters and even mirrors were extra cost options. Compared to the mid-level Two-Ten or premium Bel-Air models, the One-Fifty was stark and bland. However, the model became a little more stylish in the last years of existence with previous year's Bel-Air stainless steel side trim and an improved interior due to more standard equipment being included in all Chevrolets.
Body style choices were also limited to sedans, wagons and (until '55) the club coupe. The only body styles specific to the One-Fifty were decidedly fleet oriented: the sedan delivery (a 2 door wagon without rear windows and the rear seat removed) and the business sedan (A 2 door sedan with immobile rear windows and back seat removed). Powertrain choices were limited to manual transmissions and low output engines until 1954. In 1957, a full race ready version was also available commonly known as the "Black Widow" for its black and white paint color. It was equipped with 4 wheel heavy duty brakes, 6-lug wheels and dual shocks.
Today
In general, One-Fifties are less valuable than the sibling Two-Ten and Bel-Air models on the collectors' market but the rare surviving sedan delivery or Utility Sedan (particularly the 1957 model when equipped with a fuel-injectedFuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
engine, although these all are latter-day modifications) can command premium prices. V8 One-Fifties are popular with hot rod enthusiasts due to lower curb weight and lower prices.
1953-1954 Models
This was the first year for the One-Fifty as well as the Two-Ten. These model years were essentially the same except that the business coupe was renamed the Utility Sedan for '54. The 150 came only with the base engine in 1953.Powertrains
Three engines were used in the '53-'54 model years, although not all were available at the same time. All One-Fifties in 1953 used a 3 speed Synchromesh manual transmission. Starting in 1954, Powerglide automatic transmission was available on this series.- 235 in³ "Thrift-master" I6 rated at 93 hp . (1953 sedan delivery only)
- 235 in³ "Thrift-King" I6 rated at 108 hp. (1953 standard equipment)
- 235 in³ "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 115 hp. (1954 standard equipment)
- 235.5CID "Blue Flame" I6 7.5:1 CR 125 HP. (1954 optional equipment)
1955
The '55 model year marked the introduction of a new chassis and the debut of Chevrolet's legendary Small Block V8. The One-Fifty buyer was free to chose any powertrain option available. The business sedan was renamed the utility sedan this year. Unlike the 210 and the Bel Air, the 150 did not have any of the stainless steel trim ..Engines
- 235 in³ "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 123 hp (manual transmission)
- 235 in³ "Blue Flame I6 rated at 136 hp (automatic transmission)
- 265 in³ "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 rated at 162 hp or 180 hp (optional)
Transmissions
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual with overdriveOverdrive (mechanics)Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
unit - 2-speed PowerglidePowerglideThe Powerglide is a two-speed automatic transmission designed by General Motors. It was available primarily on Chevrolet from January, 1950 through 1973, although some Pontiac models also used this automatic transmission, extensively on models produced for the Canadian market with Chevrolet...
automatic.
1956
Engine choices remained the same except for higher hp ratings. The 265³ V8 was available in three different versions. The I6 had a new unified build regardless of transmission type.Engines
- 235 in³ "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 140 hp.
- 265 in³ "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 rated at 170 hp.
- 265 in³ "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with quad barrel carburetor rated at 210 hp
- 265 in³ "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with dual-quad barrel carburetors rated at 225 hp
Transmissions
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual with overdriveOverdrive (mechanics)Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
unit - 2-speed PowerglidePowerglideThe Powerglide is a two-speed automatic transmission designed by General Motors. It was available primarily on Chevrolet from January, 1950 through 1973, although some Pontiac models also used this automatic transmission, extensively on models produced for the Canadian market with Chevrolet...
automatic
1957
New for '57 was the 283 in³ small-block V8. The fuel injected version was theoretically also available to the 150 buyer. The 1957 150 had side trim similar to the 1955's Bel-Air trim. 56,266 '57 Chevy 150 four door sport sedans were made, compared to the approximately 75,000 2 door versions.Engines
- 235 in³ "Blue Flame" I6 rated at 140 hp.
- 265 in³ "Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 rated at 162 hp.
- 283 in³ "Super Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 rated at 185 hp.
- 283 in³ "Super Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with 4 barrel carburetor rated at 220 hp
- 283 in³ "Super Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with dual 4 barrel carburetors rated at 270 hp
- 283 in³ "Super Turbo-Fire" OHV V8 with RochesterRochester Products DivisionRochester Products Division was a division of General Motors that manufactured carburetors, and related components including emissions control devices and cruise control systems in Rochester, New York...
Ram-Jet fuel injection rated at 283 hp
Transmissions
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual
- 3-speed Synchromesh manual with overdrive unitOverdrive (mechanics)Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
- 2-speed PowerglidePowerglideThe Powerglide is a two-speed automatic transmission designed by General Motors. It was available primarily on Chevrolet from January, 1950 through 1973, although some Pontiac models also used this automatic transmission, extensively on models produced for the Canadian market with Chevrolet...
automatic - TurboglideTurboglideThe Turboglide is a Chevrolet constant torque automatic transmission that made its debut as an optional transmission on Chevrolet V8 passenger cars for 1957. It consisted of a concurrently geared planetary gearbox with a 'switch pitch' dual pitch torque converter stator...
variable speed automatic