Chevrolet Fleetline
Encyclopedia
The Chevrolet Fleetline was introduced late in the 1941 model year as a 4-door sedan. In 1942 a fastback 2-door "aerosedan" became an option. In 1947, the Fleetline made up 71.26% of Chevrolet's sales. The years 1949 through 1952 models, the fasback was the only model offered, and Chevrolet dropped the Fleetline for 1953. Production was indefinitely delayed in 1942 due to World War II
, after 110,000 had been made total, though several thousand Chevrolet coupes and sedans were produced during the war years for military staff use. In 1945, production for civilians resumed. The original series was produced through 1948.
A redesigned Fleetline with reduced body contour and integrated rear fenders was offered for the 1949 through 1952 model years. It was referred to as a "fastback" because of its distinct sloping roof which extended through to the trunk lid. The fleetline during these 1949 to 1950 years also had a lower look than a sedan, with the windshield being one inch shorter in height than a standard sedan. The 1949 to 1952 models were made in both 4 door and 2 door models, with only the lower portion of the doors being interchangeable with a sedan door. The fleetline series is highly collectable today, with its sleek looks. Many are made into street rods, with the common Chevrolet 350 Small block V8 and the 350 or 400 turbo transmission being used in these vehicles.
inline 6 "Blue Flame" engine
was the only one offered. It produced 90 horsepower
at 3300rpm, and in 1950 higher compression bumped it up to 92 horsepower. Also in 1950, a 235.5CID 1-bbl.carb 6 cylinder engine with 105HP was added. A Fleetline of this vintage could easily exceed 80 miles per hour without overdrive. In very early models, the transmission
was a manual synchromesh 3 speed, with vacuum
assisted shift, in which the "three-on-the-tree" shifter was able to be moved between gears by the slightest pressure on the lever. Third gear was direct, meaning the input and output are equal speeds. From 1950 through the 1952 final year of its production, an automatic transmission was offered, which was quite sluggish. Overdrive
was a rare option. Connection to the third member rear-end was via an enclosed "torque tube" driveshaft. The brakes where hydraulic with all-wheel drums. In 1951, the brakes got larger. The master cylinder
was located below the floor connected on the frame rail, beneith the driver. Shock absorbers were of the lever type for the early years only. The windshield for all years was of a split, flat-glass type. In 1953 Chevrolet changed to a 1 piece windshield. The wipers were vacuum actuated by a vacuum switch, complete with hoses, on top of the dash. Chevrolet offered windshield washers on some years, mostly as an option, and in later years as standard equipment on the DeLuxe models.
The interior had cloth bench seats, and a metal dash, sometimes with a simulated burle woodgrain. The radio
was a simple mono vacuum tube
type radio with integrated speaker. An ash receiver was located on the top of the dash. Depending upon the year, there were both Choke and Throttle cables on the dash.. On the right side, was the choke lever. In the earlier years,the clock was integrated into the glove compartment door and was of a manual-wind 7-day type. In the 1949 and 1950 models, the clock was next to the glove box, and with the redesigned dash board, the clock was on the top of the dash, in a center pod. Also, this revised dash had two round pods for the speedometer and the other gauges, while the 1949 and 1950 models had one large round pod directly in front of the steering wheel, on the dash. Chevrolet again revised the dash panel for the 1953 models, when the fleetline fastback was dropped from production.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, after 110,000 had been made total, though several thousand Chevrolet coupes and sedans were produced during the war years for military staff use. In 1945, production for civilians resumed. The original series was produced through 1948.
A redesigned Fleetline with reduced body contour and integrated rear fenders was offered for the 1949 through 1952 model years. It was referred to as a "fastback" because of its distinct sloping roof which extended through to the trunk lid. The fleetline during these 1949 to 1950 years also had a lower look than a sedan, with the windshield being one inch shorter in height than a standard sedan. The 1949 to 1952 models were made in both 4 door and 2 door models, with only the lower portion of the doors being interchangeable with a sedan door. The fleetline series is highly collectable today, with its sleek looks. Many are made into street rods, with the common Chevrolet 350 Small block V8 and the 350 or 400 turbo transmission being used in these vehicles.
Specifications
In the 1941/42 model years, the 216cidCid
Cid may refer to:* Cid , a series of fictional characters in the Final Fantasy series of computer role-playing games* Cid Corman, a poet* Cid, a slang term for Lysergic acid diethylamide...
inline 6 "Blue Flame" engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
was the only one offered. It produced 90 horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
at 3300rpm, and in 1950 higher compression bumped it up to 92 horsepower. Also in 1950, a 235.5CID 1-bbl.carb 6 cylinder engine with 105HP was added. A Fleetline of this vintage could easily exceed 80 miles per hour without overdrive. In very early models, the transmission
Transmission (mechanics)
A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a...
was a manual synchromesh 3 speed, with vacuum
Vacuum
In everyday usage, vacuum is a volume of space that is essentially empty of matter, such that its gaseous pressure is much less than atmospheric pressure. The word comes from the Latin term for "empty". A perfect vacuum would be one with no particles in it at all, which is impossible to achieve in...
assisted shift, in which the "three-on-the-tree" shifter was able to be moved between gears by the slightest pressure on the lever. Third gear was direct, meaning the input and output are equal speeds. From 1950 through the 1952 final year of its production, an automatic transmission was offered, which was quite sluggish. Overdrive
Overdrive (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...
was a rare option. Connection to the third member rear-end was via an enclosed "torque tube" driveshaft. The brakes where hydraulic with all-wheel drums. In 1951, the brakes got larger. The master cylinder
Master cylinder
The master cylinder is a control device that converts non-hydraulic pressure into hydraulic pressure, in order to move other device which are located at the other end of the hydraulic system, such as one or more slave cylinders...
was located below the floor connected on the frame rail, beneith the driver. Shock absorbers were of the lever type for the early years only. The windshield for all years was of a split, flat-glass type. In 1953 Chevrolet changed to a 1 piece windshield. The wipers were vacuum actuated by a vacuum switch, complete with hoses, on top of the dash. Chevrolet offered windshield washers on some years, mostly as an option, and in later years as standard equipment on the DeLuxe models.
Style
The exterior sported smooth curves, and chrome and stainless trim. In the earlier models, the rear bumper had an optional center bumper guard that had to be ratcheted out of the way so the trunk cover could be lifted. Front and rear bumpers had optional chrome "tips", a dress-up item that bolted to the ends of the stock bumper. Not a Chevrolet option but a popular after market feature was a large external sunshade that protected the driver from glare off of the metal dash board. The 1949 to 1952 Models were completely different than the earlier years, with the fleetline "fastback" shape being quite distinct than a normal sedan shape.The interior had cloth bench seats, and a metal dash, sometimes with a simulated burle woodgrain. The radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
was a simple mono vacuum tube
Vacuum tube
In electronics, a vacuum tube, electron tube , or thermionic valve , reduced to simply "tube" or "valve" in everyday parlance, is a device that relies on the flow of electric current through a vacuum...
type radio with integrated speaker. An ash receiver was located on the top of the dash. Depending upon the year, there were both Choke and Throttle cables on the dash.. On the right side, was the choke lever. In the earlier years,the clock was integrated into the glove compartment door and was of a manual-wind 7-day type. In the 1949 and 1950 models, the clock was next to the glove box, and with the redesigned dash board, the clock was on the top of the dash, in a center pod. Also, this revised dash had two round pods for the speedometer and the other gauges, while the 1949 and 1950 models had one large round pod directly in front of the steering wheel, on the dash. Chevrolet again revised the dash panel for the 1953 models, when the fleetline fastback was dropped from production.