1947 Chevrolet Fleetliner sedan - Driven Dirty

Unless you live under a rock or are really new to street rodding, I'm sure you're familiar with the East Coast street rod artisan known as POSIES. For years, his creations have been statements in steel that meld the boundary of art and rodding. But, within POSIES' realm of creativity lives a down and dirty hot-rod core-though, as one might imagine, with a signature artistic flair. Hey, he'll be the first one to admit that his creations have always been a step or two over the line of conventionalism-but then again, POSIES is not your conventional hot rod builder.

Recently, I had the chance to make a trip back east to Hummelstown, Pennsylvania (home of POSIES Rods and Customs), for a visit and to check out his personal hot rod-the Fleetliner. It's a '47 Chevy sedan that's as cool as it is different, and, as I was soon to find out, one heck of an E-ticket ride as well. Although the cars that have rolled out of the Hummelstown shop have been high-class, first-rate, show-quality cars and trucks (both his own inspired creations and more sedate but equally flawless customer cars) through the years, POSIES has always had a soft spot for hardcore hot rods and the folks who drive the wheels off 'em (every time I've visited, there's been a contingent of young traditional rodders hangin' out). About a year or so ago, POSIES finally decided it was time to build himself his own version of a hot rod driver-and believe me, he drives this bad boy-showing both the '47 and his passengers no mercy. POSIES seems to enjoy getting sideways. He told me, as I held on for dear life, that it helps guide the long-wheelbase hot rod through the corners, but I think he's just enjoying the heck out of this latest creation.

In a nutshell, the Fleetliner is a long, low, and narrow creation that thumbs its nose at the norms: It's not a coupe or roadster-it's a sedan; it's not compact-it's rather large; it's not powered by a traditional V-8-it's powered by an inline-six; and finally, it's not doted over or treated with kid gloves-it's driven hard and put away wet. It's just what POSIES has been itchin' to build for years: a hot rod made more for fun and enjoyment than polish and accolades, a fact that I find refreshing in a hobby replete in spit, polish, and enclosed trailers. So sit back and check out some images of POSIES' Fleetliner and enjoy taking a look at a cool hot rod meant to be driven dirty and enjoyed fully.

Though POSIES is most well known for street rods that are as much artistic statements as they are automobiles, he's really a true hot rodder at heart, and his latest creation is one that's definitely meant to be driven hard and fast.

One of the most striking features of the Fleetliner is its width, or lack thereof. POSIES whacked a full 12 inches out of the center of the sedan, thus transforming a rather bulbous design into one that's much more sleek, especially when combined with its low-slung height (which was accomplished not only by chassis and suspension design, but also by trimming off a full 5 inches of the lower edge of the body).

This rear 3/4-view is one of my favorite angles. The sweeping roofline, the obviously narrowed rear window, the tire tops that protrude above the beltline, and the choice of those art deco-style Chrysler taillights just plain work for me. It's definitely different, but in a really cool way.

Another important statement POSIES has made here is that a hot rod doesn't need a V-8. The Roush-built inline produces more than enough beans to tattoo a smile on the face of any adrenaline junky-believe me, I'm talkin' from experience.

It's pretty obvious that it was pouring the day we did the photo shoot, although in retrospect, it was an appropriate situation for a hot rod that was built as a carefree, all-weather fun machine. The Fleetliner's new and much more slender look is exemplified by the narrowed two-piece windshield and diminutive cowl vent. The retention of the sun visor was a cool idea too.