VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum 1948 Fleetline

Getting back to the technical.....make sure the transmission is full of gear oil, same for the steering gear.

I believe the car originally came from South Dakota, so it must have been constantly garaged, since there's not a trace of rust on it and no signs of any body work or damage. The mud flaps are also vintage, but I don't know the origin of them.

I had planed to cut you a little slack since you are new here but, I see Bruce wants a pic of the turn signal so I will add my first want. While the driver side door is open to get that shot for Bruce, take a inside shot of the door panel for me. A nice full view of just the inside of the door. Just to be clear, the interior is all original as far as you know?

Well all get excited whenever anything original turns up as most want to learn what is right or wrong with the stuff we have.

Hey guys, lets take this to the '48 forum.

Hey Dave,I am waiting for more pics???

Wonder where Charlie is? Probably hasn't seen this thread since it's not in the 46-48 Forum. Took me a while to find it. Great looking car!!

Hey Billy Boy Barker! Ruscar has a great idea....this thread should be moved to the 1946-1948 forum.

Ruscar - no, I doubt very highly the interior is all original. I believe it's an older restore from maybe 20 years ago or so. It shows wear and still is in nice shape, but highly doubtful it's original. I threw that "original" term here a little too prematurely. What I meant most by that, was that the engine and trans appears original and it has not been "hotrodded" up. I'm learning there's little things on it that may still be incorrect, year-wise. That's why I'm here to learn from the experts.

A bunch of Pics from Dave our new 48 Fleetine owner

I have no idea what that jack goes to, but I'd be scared to use it - it swivels on the base. Referencing the door panel pic, I have been hunting for the little plastic trim piece that is above door handle. Both of mine are broken and I haven't been able to find replacements, original or repop. Any advice if these are still made or where to track them down? And thanks again to Bruce for posting the pics for me.

David, The ivory piece is available @ chevs of the 40's and it is glued on...Your interior is defiantly Hampton coach

I found them Bruce! Thanks. Apparently, they must be made out of gold at $14 a piece for two pieces of plastic! Wow!

Pick up some blue-gray engine paint while your at it...COT40s or the filling station...A few different brushes and give your motor a face lift...The PO was really off on his engine color...

Yes, the einterior color would be correct for a 1947...the 1948 goes into a more tan/gray color. But it looks good and don't worry about it.
The signal switch is from a 1950-1952.
The wings on the side of the trunk handle are from a 1942 or 1946.

I heard that Chev's of The 40's no longer sells the correct dark blue-gray engine paint.

Thanks for bringing that up JYD.If you remember many years back I did a test and COT40s and filling station looked the same...Not the same now?

Yes, years ago Chev's of The 40's had the correct paint, but I heard lately that COT40's is now back to selling the Bill Hirsch paint which is incorrect. Maybe someone can verify if it is true.

I replaced those little bits with a short length of pencil, cut lengthways , sanded and varnished, then epoxied in place.

David I hope this is of some help....


Directional swiches....This 1st one is a 6002 but not for a 48,I think it is for 49




These are correct for the 48...I have one I have not installed yet...Note there is no L&R embossing



Correct Engine color...
please note I have now removed all zip ties, installed the correct fuel filter,correct hose clamps
and radiator bracket end caps



Hampton Coach interior 2012



Correct 48 trunk latch

Thanks Chef-Chevy - looks like I've got some work to do to get mine back into proper order, but that's kind of the fun part. If only I had deeper pockets! I really need to get that engine painted correctly too. Funny how I missed the wings on the trunk latch, but it's kind of hard to part with extra chrome.

It took me 20 year to complete my restoration but mine was 20 times worse then what your starting with.With the work your doing on the engine it might be a good time to pull it and re-paint. Get the paint from the filling station!!

Other than painting the engine, if that were my car I think I would leave it just as it is. The great looks makes up for a few errors.

Color may not be the orig color of the car but the current scheme looks great. Looks like you have two backup lights ? Are they mounted on the gravel pan or the body. I have never seen a right handed mount for this year car.
You also have an oil bath air cleaner which certainly does a better job of keeping all those S. Dakota bugs out

Paint the engine and leave the rest alone

but maybe add the trunk latch to the bucket list

I doubt you will be able to remove the "wings", suspect their will be holes. Besides, looks good as is.

I have to agree with Gene and Dick, paint the motor, drive, and enjoy. Chevrolet dropped the ball when they missed that paint scheme in '48. This Winter is soon enough to start tinkering.

Not that you ask, but, I would get the correct finder skirt trim. Looks odd to me but easy fix.

I saw when you made the post with your Flicker account. If you haven't figured out what went wrong, ask on here. Somebody should be able to help.

You know, I really like the color scheme too, even though it's not correct. I'll fix some of the minor things that I can, definitely paint the engine, and replace correct pieces when I can afford to. But I basically got this car to ride, not show, and I'm having fun with it as is for the time being.

I don't know if you guys saw that 48 Fleetline for sale on Hemmings and eBay a week ago or so back, that had only 18K original miles on it (it had a woody install and was Dove Gray and Lake Como Blue), but I kept the pictures so I could refer to it now and then, if it was TRULY all original. It was a nice looking car, but personally, I don't like the Woody trim on the Fleetline.