Fair Flip? 1953 Chevrolet 150 Handyman Wagon – SOLD!

March 29, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

March 18, 2022 Update – The seller just lowered their asking price by another one thousand dollars to $18,500 in a clear sign they have a lot of profit margin to work with.

March 7, 2022 Update – Just one week after the latest caretaker of this ’53 Chevrolet Handy Man 150 we’ve been tracking since 2021 posted a new ad, he lowered his asking price by two large from $21,500 to $19,500. Even at the reviewed ask, the latest seller stands to make a tidy profit despite the time and new parts added to the car.

February 28, 2022 Update – The Internet and GuysWithRides.com never forget a classic ride. You just don’t see many 1953 Chevrolet Handyman wagons anymore, so when we came across this one it looked very familiar.  Sure enough, the color scheme, windshield visor, and labels in the rear window confirmed the person who bought this car for $13,800 late last summer now has it listed for $21,500.  In fairness to the new seller, they have gone through the brake lines, replaced the fuel tank, and rebuilt the carburetor.  The price is a bit optimistic based on the condition, so hopefully, the next caretaker can negotiate a fair price.

September 15, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” for $13,800 unless we come across a replacement listing.

In 1953 while the big news at Chevrolet was the introduction of the Corvette as the brand’s new halo car, sales of the entry-level 150 line are what kept the General Motors Division profitable.  We spotted this beige over green 1953 150 Handyman wagon originally listed in July 2021 on Craigslist in Detroit, Michigan for $13,800. Once again listed in February 2022 on Craigslist in Santa Claus, Missouri (St. Louis), the latest caretakers now asking $21,500.

Comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Handyman priced between this guide’s  #3 “Good” estimate of $12,300 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $23,200.  Interestingly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool provides a slightly different assessment as in this case the asking price now falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $21,150 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $32,750. The new price is a bit optimistic for a car the new seller admits needs a set of fresh tires, could use a reupholstered interior, and features paint that he describes as “A Twenty Footer”

To name its redesigned passenger car lineup for 1953, Chevrolet’s Marketing team simply shortened the internal production series numbers. Thus the brand’s entry-level and fleet model was better known as the 150. Available in several fleet-oriented body styles, the station wagon version was known as the Handyman. This naming convention remained in place through the model year 1957.

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 the Chevrolet Bel Air 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.

Given the fleet nature of most Chevrolet 150s, we hope the seller knows the story about who the original owner of this Handman was and what they bought the car for.  We also wonder whether the radio and tissue dispenser were items added later on. This looks like a great early “Tin Wagon” example that can get you in the collector car hobby for under $15,000.

Here’s the current seller’s description:

“I have a 1953 Chevy handyman 150 station wagon with inline-six motor with 38000 original miles with 3 speed on the column transmission. This car is like a time capsule that was stored in a garage for most of its life; recently stored from 1999 to 2019 when brought back out and gone thru; has new gas tank; brake lines went thru; carburetor rebuilt little cold natured but pull the choke and it fires right up and drives out good and handles the road good also! Tires should be replaced but alot of thread but old!! Have alot of the maintence records on the car!! has the old school roof rack also!! the interior looks decent but could be redone!! The paint is a twenty-footer but does have good patina; there is some rust but this car isn;t a rust bucket; pretty solid old running and driveing car!! These old wagons are hard to find much less a running and driving car!! Please check NADA book value on it!! Can help with delivery if needed after car is payed for and a small fee depending where you live!! Clear title. Possible trade???”

Now here’s the first seller’s brief description from the summer of 2021:

“Nostalgic 1953 Chevy station wagon, all original, excellent for restoration or drive with patina.. Runs and drives, looks very good.“

Show or go: what would you do with this Chevrolet Handyman?  Comment below and let us know!