How about the vintage stock...
How about the vintage stock car approach? Lettering with patina, a stripped interior, and a muffler-moly rollbar are all it would take. Then again, for a '50s vibe, lose some of the trim, go with a Baby Blue paintjob, a couple acres of white tuck 'n' roll on the inside (and don't forget the tonneau cover over the rear seat with your initials and a steering wheel cover), a four- and two-split manifold with glasspacks, and a set of spinner hub caps. Finally a contemporary treatment on a classic body style-nosed and decked with a cleaned-up grille and smooth bumpers-drape it all over a new chassis with an LS engine and automatic overdrive, fill the cabin with every known convenience, then giggle when the Mercedes drivers look at you and smile.
When the Aero sedan Fleetline was introduced in 1942, the public went for the sleek fastback styling in a big way and it became Chevrolet's best-selling model. But then World War II put automobile manufacturing on hold, as GM and the other auto manufacturers began producing the machines to win a war.
When automobile production resumed after World War II, Chevrolet concentrated on filling the nation's showrooms with the low-priced Stylemaster four-door sedans, but as the company got up to speed, the fastbacks became available in the two-door Aero sedan Fleetline and four-door Sportmaster sedan configurations. With production up to full speed in 1948, Chevrolet pumped out over 159,000 two-door Aero sedans and 54,000-plus four-doors. The following year the numbers were even bigger: 211,000 and 83,000, respectively.
By the time 1949 rolled around, Chevrolet had come up with new body styles to replace the nipped and tucked prewar designs they'd been offering but evidently the public's taste was beginning to change because Fleetline sales began to slip. The once cutting-edge aerodynamic shape was now seen as dated. By 1952 the fastback four-door was missing from the lineup. Then, with the introduction of the new body designs in 1953, the two-door was gone as well.
In stock form the Chevy fastbacks were a love 'em or hate 'em design, but for our purposes they lend themselves to a variety of modifications that can produce truly unique results. Josh Shaw's renderings show three distinct possibilities; we've thrown in some additional photos as food for thought.
By the time 1952 rolled around...
By the time 1952 rolled around the four-door fastback wasn't selling well and it was discontinued. Not really surprising as the design was looking dated.
But take that same car, drop...
But take that same car, drop it on the ground, add spots, chrome wheels, lakes pipes, and spice up the interior with white pleats and some cool teardrop knobs and you've got a timeless, cool family cruiser.
Here's proof the subtle approach...
Here's proof the subtle approach works: the hood has been peaked, all the emblems and handles have been removed, and the body made straight as an arrow. However, cleaning up the stock grille and removing the parking lights go to show less is more.
A diamond in the rough, this...
A diamond in the rough, this '49 fastback was a swap meet find for $4,000. Perhaps it was because these cars appealed to those who wanted to drive something unique, many fastbacks (particularly the two-doors) were quipped with a variety of period accessories. This one sports a visor.
While the fastback design...
While the fastback design was slick for its day, a common criticism was that rear visibility for the driver was lousy at best. A right sideview mirror is a wise addition for negotiating traffic.
This '50 fastback has a host...
This '50 fastback has a host of mild custom modifications, but one of the simplest often goes unnoticed. Check out the one-piece windshield. Back in the day the way to get rid of the divider bar was to install an Olds windshield.