History The best 1949-1952 Chevrolet Ever Built

IMHO,the '50 in my avatar is the best one ever customized......Really

 

That's because it's not chopped. Or, if it is it's so subtle you can't tell. A lot of guys ruin these cars by hacking on the roof in my opinion.

 

ERNST.

 

@Ryan that's a bold statement....but a hard one to argue with

 

Are you getting old @Ryan ? I think I prefer Masterson's version with a chopped top


Picking one favorite is always hard, but if I had to choose I think I would have gone for the Abajian/Campbell 1949 Chevrolet:

I love everything about this car. The grille, top ++. I wonder why people don't fit these cars with tops like this anymore?

 

this is the best 1949 through 52 Chevrolet of all time , hands down. perfect in every way.

 

I sure do like it. The Masterton car is nice too, but the chop (which I really like) just makes it different, not better. Those Fleetlines are just so great. I like the pearl (?) white one I have seen at Day of the Drags several times.

 

IMO Jimmy Vaugh's fleetline is the best; I like this version best.

 

#1: For it's subtlety, I like Pete Chapouris' '70's era '51 hardtop.

#2: For it's eye-searing yellow paint, Jerry Conklin's chopped '52.

 

love the car but it loses points in my book for the spot lights, which is why some of the others posted i prefer better.
there is a certain '49 convertible i need to find a photo of......

 

Now there's a fastball down the middle . . . "Swing and miss" from this yayhoo here. Impossible, for me, to narrow it to one. Hell, I would have trouble picking a top ten, there are that many outstanding 49-52 Chevies. It is like trying to pick a favorite guitarist, or a favorite author . . . can get a top 10 or 15 list, but damned hard to choose one.

Sure reminds me of this great thread, 'cause asking "best built" really is the same as asking "your favorite", right?
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/your-favorite-49-52-chevrolet.483132/

 

Some of my favorites

 

Larry Watson's Grapevine. The dark one. Oh Hell, both versions are perfect. But, the dark one does it for me.

 

I agree, the spotlights are the only thing I don't like on the car. I have never been a fan of spotlights, I understand their period correctness but never once thought they made a car look better.

 

The whole thing is a matter of personal taste.

 

Yep

 

Looks like you've stirred up some shit, Ryan.
Between Tellez's car and Masterson's, and Watson's "Grapevine", I can't help but mash the three ideas together and build a '51 Fleetline in my head with buick trim, spots, and in purple...

 

That's a nice car, but best?? I'd vote Masterson's fleetline or the Grapvine before that one. Or heck, even Bob K's vert!

 

Holy Cow, that black coupe/hardtop with the Continental kit is in a league of its own. What is the story on it?

 

I too am blown away by that car, and I for one generally hate continental kits. Inquiring minds want to know.

 

I like ours, I am not a fan of chopped tops on these cars so I feel this one is prefect, could go down about another inch in rear, but it still looks bitchin. its a 1950 Fleetline.

 

That is designer Harry Bradley's "La Jolla", built when he was still in high school.
He owned and drove it for 45 years, finally selling it to Jack Walker.



Harry was the creator of the "Hot Wheels" toys while working for Mattel.
In addition, he designed many works for the Alexander Bros, including The "Venturian" Riddler Award winner, and the "Deora" (under the moniker "Designer 'X' '), while also designing under contract for GM.

He also designed many cars built by customizer Dave Crook.

As was noted, in a league of its own.

 

Brian Bass built '49

 

The Bass built Chevy is a real piece of work. Note the Merc hood splice...not only is it flawless, but just imagine being able to figure where to make the cuts in the first place! Just remarkable!

The last I heard, it passed from his hands, and remained unfinished.
Has anyone heard more?

 

"Best" is in the eye of the beholder ... I have many favorite '49-'52 Chevys (many of which have already been mentioned) ... but I would be remiss not to mention my friend Frank (& Kathy) Livingston's '49 & '51 Chevys:

Frank's '49 Fleetline circa 1955



Livingston's "The Caribbean" '49 Fleetline customized by Joe Bailon (circa 1956-57)
NOTE: images from the cover of the January 1958 issue of CAR CRAFT magazine


"The Caribbean" '49 Fleetline with two-tone green scallops by Mel Pinoli (circa 1958)


Frank & Kathy Livingston's "The Elegant Relic" '51 Fleetline (circa 1988)


Frank & Kathy's "The Crown Jewel" '49 Fleetline (circa 1999)


Livingston's "The Caribbean II" '49 Fleetline customized by OZ Welch (circa 2002)



"The Caribbean II" '49 Fleetline with scallops by Art Himsl (circa 2007)​

 

Yeah, not trying to piss on anyone here... But it ain't custom if it dosen't have a chop. Just my opinion.

 

Not every car needs a chop. A chop should be done to improve the proportions of the car, not because of some "rule".

To add to that, what if a car is sectioned and not chopped? is that still not a custom? Because sectioning a car often requires more work than a chop

 

It's not the best picture but this one was second to none in detail!