Chevrolet Deluxe 2 Door Coupe
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Chevrolet Deluxe

1949 Chevrolet Styleline De Luxe 4-Door Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer
Chevrolet (General Motors)
Holden (General Motors)
Hindustan Motors
Also called
Chevrolet Special
Chevrolet Coupé Utility (Australia, for coupé utility variants)
Production
1941—1952
1949—1955 (India)

The Chevrolet Deluxe is a trim line of Chevrolet automobiles that was marketed from 1941 to 1952, and was the volume sales leader for the market during the 1940s. The line included at first a 4-door sedan, but grew to include a fastback 2-door "aerosedan" and other body styles. The 1941 Chevrolet was the first generation that didn't share a common appearance with Chevrolet trucks, while the Chevrolet AK Series truck share common internal components.
It was with this generation that all GM vehicles experienced increased width dimensions to accommodate three passengers on the front bench seat and an additional three passengers on rear bench seat installed vehicles. This was accomplished with the deletion of the running board, thereby adding additional room inside the passenger compartment.
The original series ran from 1941 to 1948, after which a new body style was introduced for 1949, running through 1952. During the post-war years and continuing through the early 1950s, the Deluxe range was Chevrolet's sales leader, offering a balance of style and luxury appointments unavailable in the base Special series; and a wider range of body styles, including a convertible, Sport Coupe hardtop (starting in 1950), two- and four-door sedans and four-door station wagons.
Specifications
In the 1941/42 model years, the 216 cid inline 6 "Victory Six" engine was the only one offered. It produced 85 horsepower at 3300 rpm. In 1947 output was bumped up to 90 horsepower. A Deluxe of this vintage could easily exceed 80 miles per hour without overdrive. The transmission was a manual synchromesh 3 speed, with vacuum assisted shift, in which the "three-on-the-tree" shifter was able to be moved between gears by the slightest pressure on the lever. Third gear was direct, meaning the input and output were equal speeds. Overdrive was a rare option. Connection to the third member rear-end was via an enclosed "torque tube" driveshaft. The brakes were hydraulic with all-wheel drums. The master cylinder was located beneath the driver. Shock absorbers were of the lever type through 1948, and of the "airplane" type from 1949 onward. The windshield through 1948 was of a split, flat-glass type. 1949 through 1952 was curved glass split into two halves. The wipers were vacuum actuated. Chevrolet offered windshield washers as an optional extra.


Model Description
This is a 1:18 scale die-cast and plastic mode of the 1950 Chevrolet 2-door Deluxe Coupe. This is one of what became known as American Tanks. These were American built automobiles, famous for their large build coupled with very large engines with lots of chrome everywhere. It was only in the early 1950’s did more steel become available for automobile makers to have that ability to change from what was basically 40’s style vehicles. And this was Chevrolet’s design for that section of the market, which had started the auto's love for the big 2-door coupes, whether for the convertible soft top or the hardtop.

The Body
Here we have a quite good model that is done in a creamy yellow with that dark brownish roof line. This is a 2 door model whose doors open wide and have good gap clearance between the doors and body. They open quite wide to give good access to the interior. The bonnet opens quite high which also gives a good view into the engine bay. The boot or trunk opens reasonably high, allowing one to look into it. Paintwork is of high quality, with no defects anywhere. The sun-visor works well with both the automobile and the model with the chrome edging fitted nicely. Overall, the chrome work has been done so as not to make this model over heavy with it. The lights both front and rear have been attached and fitted as on the real vehicle. It was a feature on some vehicles, that a spotlight was attached to this model. A handy tool if one needed to find the right house, using it to show house numbers on the letterboxes on the front of the house. Small details, such as the number plate light and the small chrome attachment to the fuel tank cover. The emblems and decals attached are of excellent design. The wheels with their distinctive white wall tires as with the wheel caps with the Chevrolet emblem, finishes them off nicely.

The Interior
Open the doors and the interior detail is quality in its function and detail. Door panels on both doors give excellent detail, that includes door and window handles that have been separately added. The seating in this model allows the back of the seats to move to give access to the rear seats. The rear section with the seating included the chrome interior parts. This particular vehicle had column shift and is an automatic, which the foot pedals indicate. Dashboard is normal for these vehicles with our model showing even a radio. It shows basically where switches are, but no indication of their function. Instruments of that era are basic, but our model includes their function. Steering wheel turns the front wheels.

The Engine & Undercarriage
Look under the bonnet to see a nicely representation of the real engine. Even with the use of 2 colours, you can clearly get a good idea of the main sections of the motor. All the major parts can be actively seen, such as the radiator and associated hosing, and while the engine does not give that fine detail, it still allows us to visualise the engine for what it would look like in reality. This engine is pretty basic, but it is a recognisable one that so many other models, including some new models don’t give us.
The undercarriage is one area that is not as detailed on many models. This model has excellent detail and uses different coloured parts that allow one to get a better view than so many others. The engine and gearbox are of different colours to show the 2 separate parts. The drive shaft to the rear differential is shown as a separate 3D part for greater realism. While the exhaust system goes from the engine through the muffler to the exhaust tip. Fuel tank is again different from the black one normally gets.
The Boot/Trunk
This is not quite as wide as one would hope. However, you can see into it and it displays the spare thereof the same scale as the other wheels. The actual tire itself has been made with the same rubber material as on the model. The boot floor, if touched, gives the same feel as the rubber mat that has been found on the original vehicle.

The Conclusion
This is a very visual model. Collectable? Yes. I think this would fit well with most collectors, but with the number of small parts, it would be best put in a dust proof cabinet or case. It's an excellent presentation of that early 50’s vehicle and earlier American design. Everything about this model makes it close to a perfect model, but however there are parts that could have been done better. And that is mainly within the engine compartment. A little more colour to better identify different parts, and smaller details like leads and cabling. However, those comments are in no way distracting from what is an excellent mode. This is better than the more expensive models in regards detail. I give this a 4.5 / 5.0. Robin Finlay. 10/04/2023.