EV Eventuality: 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Convertible – SOLD!
(To stop the slideshow and expand the pictures, click on the current photograph below)
August 11, 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.
July 15, 2022 Update – Just days after we thought this vintage Chevy convertible sold, the seller relisted it on Craigslist. This time around they lowered their asking price from $23,500 to $19,900
June 22, 2022, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” until we come across a replacement listing.
Personally, I’m still not convinced plug-in Hybrids are the long-term future of cars as I believe the realities of a woefully not-ready power grid will continue to keep plug-in EVs as a niche player. Instead, I believe advances in hydrogen technology will become a much more convenient power source for EVs, but that’s a discussion for another time.
When it comes to collector cars, however, I foresee a time when young enthusiasts will convert big, classic convertibles like this 1950 Chevrolet Styline Deluxe Convertible, originally listed in July 2022 on Craigslist in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to electric propulsion. The body-above-frame construction, huge trunk, and even larger engine compartment make this early post-WWII classic a viable candidate for modern EV propulsion. Not only will the new powertrain be much cleaner than the Stove Bolt inline six it replaces, there’s no doubt the performance would be much better than any small block or LS swap that’s currently the norm for these cars.
Currently offered for $19,900 (the original ask was $23,500) or a reasonable in-person cash offer, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is below the one-year rolling average of this guide’s summary for non-Bel Air Chevrolet produced between 1949 and 1952. By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you evaluate the price of the convertible featured here:
As a second data point, the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #4 ‘Fair” estimate of $18,100 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $28,000.
In 1949, Chevrolet presented its first “all-new” model since the end of World War II. A lower, sleeker profile, with the lines of the front fenders smoothly blending into the doors to be countered by the rear fenders that continued to “bulge” out of the sides of the car. Improvements in chassis and suspension design made the 1949 Chevrolet one of the best handling to date. While styling changes for 1950 were minimal, the big news was the launch of the Bel Air pillarless two-door hardtop and the aforementioned Di-Noc clad station wagon.
The Charlie Dean Archives YouTube Channel features this twelve-minute video highlights how Chevrolet built and tested its products in the early 1950s:
Based on the excellent pictures provided, this 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe convertible can take one of several paths: the next caretaker can continue to drive it as-is, restore it, or possibly be an early adopter of converting this topless chariot to EV power
Here’s the seller’s description:
1950 Chevy Styleline Deluxe Convertible, 6 cyl., 3-speed manual, mostly original with some decent paint added in the last few years., runs, drives, and stops, Has not been on the road lately, Needs a convertible top and some interior work, and checked over before driving on the road, Does have a new carpet in it, and a new wiring harness is included with it, along with some other parts, glass is decent, Bumpers are original and are pitted and painted silver, floors are solid and look nice but have been patched in the past, $23,500. All offers in person and in cash, Sorry but no trades, Not interested in shipping it, Come look at the car in person, look it over, and make a reasonable cash offer. The title must be transferred before it leaves, If you are interested, send me your phone number and I will forward it. If you see the ad it’s probably still available“
EV Eventuality or Staid Stovebolt Six: What would you do with this driver-quality 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe Convertible? Please comment below and let us know!
I TRADED THIS CAR FROM THE BUYER FOR A 1948 SUBURBAN. BUYER PUT NEW INTERIOR AND CHROME BUMPERS. I SOLD IN HALF HOUR FOR A PRETTY PENNY. I HAVE A 1951 CHEVY DELUXE STYLELINE FOR SALE SHORTLY