1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe Resto Mod (rat Rod) 1949-1954 V-8 700r4 on 2040-cars

Make: Chevrolet
Interior Color: Black
Model: Bel Air/150/210
Number of Cylinders: 8
Year: 1951
Trim: Deluxe
Drive Type: 4-speed automatic with overdrive
Mileage: 999,999
Exterior Color: Silver
Number of Doors: 4

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

Up for sale is my prized 1951 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe. This car was originally purchased in Iowa by the mayor of a small town called Mt. Ayr. My stepfather's brother bought it from him 20 years ago and then my stepfather bought it from his brother. The car was originally a pale green and was painted gold by the first owner. The chrome has been replated once.

I got the car from my stepdad and have spent the last 3-1/2 years restoring it. This was a frame-on restoration as the frame and most of the floors were free of rust. The one exception was the driver floorpan which has been replaced with brand new sheetmetal. I have a lot of pictures chronicling the restoration. Please visit facebook and search for Rusty Jones to view the pictures or video of it driving.

I also have a video of it on youtube by viewing this link: http://youtu.be/VHaVDaguTB4

In place of the 235 six cylinder is a newly rebuilt 350 v-8. This is a four-bolt main block rebuilt by Performance Chevrolet. I then added some brand new Summit heads with 2.02" intake valves and 1.60" exhaust. Also features a Lunati camshaft with a more aggressive profile and a new Street Warrior dual-plane intake for torque.  A Summit Racing 750 carburetor with an electric choke provides the fuel mixture.  All engine parts and accessories are new including alternator, water pump and fuel pump.  

The car has been lowered.  3" shorter springs specially ordered from Jamco on the front and 2" lower TCI leaf springs in rear.   

Mated to the engine is a 700R4 transmission from an early 90's vehicle. It was completely rebuilt with brand new bands, corvette servos and new lockup soleniod. The sun gear was welded for additional strength. A dash mounted switch controls the lockup which automatically engages when it shifts into 4th gear (overdrive) unless you deactivate it with the switch or press on the brake pedal.

Speaking of brakes, car features power brakes with a disc coversion in the front. The rear end still features drum brakes but is a freshly rebuilt posi rear out of a 2nd gen firebird. The gear ratio is a fun 3.73:1. Combine this gear ratio with the low first gear of the 700R4 and you have a pretty quick launch and tire-roasting capability. A brand new lokar billet aluminum emergency brake handle has been mounted under the dash and brand new cables were installed.

The exhaust system was done by Mesa muffler. 40-series flowmasters provide a deep throaty sound. The exhaust exits just behind the rear wheel at a slight angle.

Wheels are American Racing Torque Thrust II's with Kelly tires in 225-55-16 on all wheels. I wanted the widest wheels I could get without rubbing and these fit the bill.

Everything mechanical and electrical has been replaced. That includes wheel bearings, springs, shocks, tie rod ends, bushings, wiring, light sockets, etc. The new battery was relocated to the trunk. It is now a 12V system and all lights, horn (ooga) and signals work correctly.

A brand new JVC CD player with HD radio sits in the dash. It features a removable faceplate and a remote control as well. 2 6x9" pioneers have been mounted in the rear deck and 6-1/2" pioneers are now in the doors. All brand new.

I have the original hood ornament and trunk piece. I originally planned on putting the hood and trunk pieces back on, but after painting it I liked the cleaner look with them off. So you can bolt them back on if you wish.

The seats were redone by a hot-rod upholstery shop (read not cheap) and are black vinyl with black suede in the middle. The door panels are covered in vinyl with black carpet. The carpet is black also. The black headliner is brand new but sags because I lost one of the headliner bows in moving the parts for the car from our last home. It doesn't rest on your head, but it's not perfect.

The car runs and drives excellent. I have driven the car a total of approximately 1,500 miles since the restoration. A few of those instances were during the dead of summer in Phoenix at 115 degrees with no overheating issue. The "new" cars were broken and guess what - the 50 year old car was the only one running.  An electric fan automatically switches on at 195 degrees and turns off at 185.  A 3-core aluminum radiator cools the engine down. 

The paint is shiny but not perfect, however, as can be seen in the video. The car also does not have a heater or AC and the wipers do not work. There is no dome light currently installed.  Windlace needs to put put along the edge of the headliner to cover up the staples.  The car has rust damage in the inner wheel wells.  The damage is cosmetic and can only be seen if you remove the rear wheels.  The areas were treated with Rust Bullet as well as the entire underbody of the car for good measure.   No rust is visible.  You cannot take the car and win at Pebble Beach. However, if you want something to drive to the local car shows on the weekends, you have something interesting to bring.   

I have the fender skirts (still the old gold color) and the sun visor (painted red to match) that will come with the car. 

I'm asking less than what I have spent on parts for the car. You can part it out and make money, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I hope it finds a good home.  

I am selling the car cause the wife doesn't want it in the garage anymore while her car sits in the weather. Since I've got less than 1k miles on this car since it's been running, I have a hard time fighting her logic.