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Posted By: kevin47 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/17/12 05:04 PM
...I've recently been overwhelmed by advertisements for 1946 though 1948 "Master Deluxe" Coupe's ...Sedan's...Etc.
Am I "asleep at the wheel"...or what...? I thought the "Master Deluxe" name took a "break" after 1941...or is this just a "monicker" some are throwing about on these "Rods" of the 46-48 vintage....Kevin
Posted By: Chev Nut Re: 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/17/12 05:11 PM
In 1942 they still used the M.D and S.D. name on the car....into the model run the other printed material used Stylemaster and Fleetmaster. Chevrolet did not use M.D. or S.D. after that point. Would have to see the material you are talking about.
Posted By: kevin47 Re: 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/17/12 06:11 PM
Thanks Gene...I have a cousin that keeps insisting that Chevrolet came out with some '46 - '48 models that "bore" the name "Master Deluxe"...He's attempting to prove his case by showing me "ads" from some "custom rodder crap"...like what would they know , besides how to screw-up a good thing lol...
Anyone else care to set my F**D love'in cousin straight...?
Posted By: kevin47 Re: 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/18/12 02:21 AM
Found a website detailing Chevrolet Years & Models...Sent it to him...he appears to have dropped the subject...!
Posted By: 41specialdeluxe Re: 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/19/12 01:56 PM
Kevin,
Although this may not satisfy your cousin, I think it is fairly accurate. Anyway, her e goes.

Source: "Sixty Years of Chevrolet" by George H. Dammann shows the following:

1942: Master Deluxe and Special Deluxe.
1946: Stylemaster, Fleetmaster and Fleetline the latter being a sub-series of the Fleetmaster, i.e., Aerosedan with its extra trim.
1947: Ditto except added Fleetline Sportmaster sedan
1948: Ditto

(Note: It seems that Fleetline merely indicated the extra trim etc. I think people nowadays may forget that starting in 1947 the term "Fleetline" was correctly applied to the some Sportsedans as well as to the all Aerosedans.

The above was taken from the "Revised Edition" of "Sixty Years of Chevrolet." The revised should have taken care of many errors although, maybe, not all of them.

Mr. Dammann expressed thanks to many sources. Among them was former VCCA president and editor of G&D, Duane Steele. Accordingly, I have better faith to the information than would otherwise be the case.

I noted that Gene had some information of a transition period in 1942. Owing to his vast knowledge about things Chevrolet, I think he is probably correct but the source book didn't mention that.

The book shows a 48 "Woody" Aerosedan but discounts it ever being in regular production owing to the fact that it was a prototype that failed to impress management. It was a pretty thing indeed. Too bad.

Charlie computer

BTW: I expect that there will be additional information about this instant issue of Chevrolet names for the 42-48 years. That's fine. I enjoy learning more and more of this kind of information. Please let me know if you find that any of the information attributed to the source was incorrect. Thanks.

Posted By: kevin47 Re: 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/19/12 04:16 PM
Thanks Charlie...There is some information here I was even unaware of and interesting , too...Kevin
Posted By: Chev Nut Re: 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/19/12 04:41 PM
The 1941 and 1942 Fleetline cars had the Special Deluxe name on the side of the hood. The 1946-1948 Fleetline had Fleetline on the side of te hood.
The Fleetline and Fleetmaster were always the same model designation...DK, EK, etc. Body style also they were the 1000 series (Stylemaster the 1200 series).
All Fleetline 4 doors, 1941 -1948 were the Sportmasters.
All 2 doors were the Aerosedans.
The "woody" trim had nothing to do with Chevrolet and would be classified an aftermarket item. The company that made them promoted them to and through Chevrolet dealers. No Chevrolet literature ever mentioned the wood kits.


Like all boooks and magazines 50 and 60 Years of Chevrolet has many errors.

The only accurate thing they have in 50/60 Years of Chevrolet is the 1939 Master Deluxe 2 door , shown at the Indy race track infield in the show car area - for the 10th VCCA Anniversary Meet is NOW MY CAR (since 1974) talk
Posted By: TAP48 Re: 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/19/12 09:14 PM
"some "custom rodder crap"...like what would they know , besides how to screw-up a good thing lol..."
________________________________

I don't know about screwing up a good thing. I think I took a good thing and made it better. I've owned my '46 Fleetmaster 4-door for almost 39 years, 37 as a street rod. I like the 3 1/2 inch top chop, Nova front clip and 350/Turbo 350, A/C, Camaro rear end on Chassis Engineering springs. I just took the front suspension off my '48 Fleetmaster Cabriolet and within the next week will be bolting on a Chassis Engineering front end. The LT1 and 4L60E and Nova rear end with Chassis Engineering springs are waiting in the wings. Once the chassis is done I'll start on the body. Haven't decided yet if I will French the head and taillights but for sure the door and trunk handles will be shaved and the hood will be welded into one piece and peaked. cool
Posted By: kevin47 Re: 46-48 Master Deluxe ? - 01/19/12 11:17 PM
Well... the one thing I can say is it's probably a safer car to drive and certainly easier to drive...I've even seen custom cars with "air bags" which is kinda cool...When I was younger I wanted to "customize" cars...thought it would be neat to have car like no one else's ...completely styled for my tastes !...But then I grew up ! You could probably call yours a "Master Deluxe" and a few here at the VCCA couldn't care less...No Offense...I'm just having fun ....Kevin

P.S. You did make it better...it's just not the same....
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