Basic utility was the goal of the Chevrolet sedan delivery, an inexpensive 2-door wagon with panel-truck sides. They were used mainly as delivery vans and work trucks, their stylish appearance merely an afterthought.
Those that survived the rigors of working life were eventually rediscovered by street rodders, who took advantage of that styling to create such custom cruisers as the Pick of the Day, a 1953 Chevrolet 150 sedan delivery.
Chevrolet’s 1953 models were an update of the GM brand’s all-new 1949 design, the first following World War II. Larger, bolder grilles were added, windshields became curved and one-piece, and the flanks were trimmed down to give the Chevys a more-modern appearance.
This retro-rod is described by the Maple Lake, Minnesota, dealer advertising the Chevy on ClassicCars.com as an “excellent professional street rod build.”
While ’53 Chevrolets were conservatively powered by 235cid 6-cylinder engines, customizers regularly have stuffed various V8s under their broad hoods. This sedan delivery is powered by a modern GM 350cid engine linked with a 3-speed automatic transmission, along with power steering, power brakes and air conditioning.
The body presents beautifully with crisp paint and gleaming chrome; the seller notes that the car was recently repainted with base coat/clear coat for extra shine.
The plain steel sides of this Chevy seem ready for the next owner to apply the logo of a business, real or imagined, or some other graphic enhancement.
The custom interior features high-back bucket seats, console, tilt steering wheel and a modern gauge package fitted to the original dashboard. Everything works, the seller adds, and the Chevrolet rides on a new set of radial tires, mounted to steel wheels with dog-dish hubcaps to enhance the vintage style.
The Chevrolet retro-rod seems reasonably priced at $21,950, or as the seller says: “Why restore when you can drive and enjoy and show off now and for less money.”
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Cool looking street rod!
I love it ! I’m not much of a Chevy fan but, this is unique. Very well done.
Too bad it doesn.t have the basic stove bolt
nice but i rather had the 6 cly that it came with
Exactly with the original interior and transmission. I stopped reading it when the article said the original motor was swapped out for a 350.
At $21+/- that’s a deal
A beauty! It needs it’s original steering wheel tho.
Burt, you noticed the steering wheel also. Yeah, that’s gotta go. !
This makes the SUVs of our day look like crap!
👍
Nice ride but needs to be lowered .Would make all thé differençe.Give that nice stance.The steering wheel is definitely thé first thing I would change.LaCarra has a nice steering wheel that would look sharp and thé right $tyle.A little pinstriping just enough to make it look finished.Would look nice two toned also.If you go with the 235 inline 6 some fenton headers with some smithys would be just right.Give that old school sound.
Lately- after I like the car I put RESALE in my equation. Jay Leno doesn’t have to but I can only collect so many “things.”
(It also gives me a reality check, if I know I can’t sell it maybe there is a problem) Everyone who siad $21k is sweet hits it on the head. I can resell this for $21k in 2 years– no problem. It is sweet— In that ugly 1952 sort of way..