Chevy 1949 - 1952 customs & mild customs galerie

While some search for months to find a 1950 Chevrolet Fleetline, this car found owner Andy Sapien. In fact he insists he didn't really want the car, but after the then-owner called five or six times he relented and bought it, immediately sending it to the body shop. The body was in poor condition, but rust free, and apart from nosing, decking, welding the central hood seam shut, and frenching the headlights and '59 Caddy taillights, the body remains stock, even retaining the door handles and original gravel guards on the rear fenders. The fender skirts never made it back on, and the one-piece "California bumpers" were filled and smoothed, losing their mounting bolts before re-chroming.
One thing that definitely isn't stock though, is the candy green paint, something Andy says he'd stay away from if he did the car over. It's a House of Kolor hue, applied by Daniel Vasquez, once he, Tom Meenan, and Raul had finished the bodywork. The stock grille and stainless trim were refitted, though the windshield was swapped for a one-piece version.

Underneath, this Fleetline holds a surprise; in an age when it seems almost every car has an aftermarket frame, or at least modern suspension grafted in, we find 2-1/2-inch dropped spindles and stock coils cut by 1 inch, on the otherwise-original independent front suspension, while at the rear, de-arched stock springs support a Camaro rearend. Brakes are drum all round behind the 15-inch chrome smoothie wheels, which wear whitewall radial rubber, 205x15 at each corner. Stainless steel tubing replaces all the original steel chassis plumbing.

The suspension may be almost stock, but the running gear definitely isn't. Replacing the Stovebolt six is a 350 Chevy of 1980 vintage, assembled by Soto at A&S Auto in Montebello, California, now equipped with an Edelbrock 600-cfm carb on a same-make intake, with Doug Thorley headers pumping gases through 26-inch glasspacks. Walter Proster came up with the unique custom valve covers; Ulloa Transmission assembled the TH350 bolted to the small-block.

The candy green exterior color made its way onto the dash, GM van tilt column, and '50 Olds steering wheel, with everything else covered by Bob & Sons Kustom Interiors in El Monte, California, in white vinyl with green tuck 'n' roll inserts, including the kick panels, door panels, and package tray, as well as the seats. The Lincoln front seats allow space for a custom console between them, while the rear seat is a one-off wrap-around style. A white headliner and chrome garnish moldings complete the interior, which is matched by the upholstery continuing into the trunk. Rick Vazquez was responsible for installing the Kenwood/Pioneer mix audio system, ensuring Andy enjoys cruising the Fleetline, whether it's on regular weekend jaunts or longer trips, such as to Santa Maria for the Cruisin' Nationals. We'd be looking forward to weekend too, if this fastback were parked in our garage.