This Chevrolet has been well marinated in gaudy and deep-fried in tackiness. I was unable to capture the front end to better determine its vintage. My spotter’s guide shows the only obvious difference between the rear 3/4 view of a ’51 and a ’52 as some trim – which is long gone on this one. So, it may be a 1951 model instead of 1952 – please speak up if I’m all wet.
Can you count how many ways this critter has been treated to misfortune? Click on the picture to better see it in, as it says on the bumper, all its “All Trash and No Trailer” glory.
“Hey Leonard – your new J. C. Whitney catalog is here.”
It is kind of a shame to waste a nice hardtop on this kind of treatment. A 150 model 2 door sedan, maybe. I cannot help you on the 51 vs. 52 without the original side trim.
OK, now I’m curious. Back in the ’60s, most of the country saw the J.C. Whitney catalog, but in the Chicago area, it was Warshowsky and Co. Same junk, different name. Anybody have info on the history of the names, other than the obvious jokes?
To quote a polish acquaintance: “What’s black and blue and bleeds on the floor?
The next bastard who tells a pollack joke.”
Same outfit; they adopted the J.C. Whitney name for outside of the Chicago area, and eventually dropped the Warshowski name (I think).
Steer horns…yes ..that’s whats needed, steer horns.
A bit western perhaps, but I think it would compliment the overall look the owner is striving for
It belongs in the Museum of American Folk Art.
Two things I love on this car.
1. “CHEVEY” on the front fender
and
2. The air horn aimed directly at a fender mounted mirror.
Cheese factor: 10+
Was this car stolen from Tijuana? All it requires to improve its lot is a removal of all trim, skirts & that 5th rate luggage rack.
Well, regardless of what this car could have been, it probably mirrors the owner’s personality perfectly. And unlike the trailer queen it could have become, it’s driven – and I’m OK with that.
Bel Air abuse. Does to my eyes what fingernails on the chalkboard does to my ears.
+2
I recall an early episode of the Beverly Hillbillies where Jethro came home with something like this.
Ah at least it’s driven and not locked away in a garage. It’s not to my taste but hey, horses for courses.
If it were mine it’d be chopped, channeled and flat-finish metal flaked. 😉
I like this waay better than the Cummins Camaro.
HAHAHA!!!! I LOVE this!!! It shows the owner has got a strong sense of person and isn’t afraid to show it. I’d really like to see him show up with this at a “serious” Chevy show and then play count the apoplexy…
“Every ass gets a seat.”
At first glance, this looks like a patched-together Cuban survivor: The stars, the out-of-place chrome, the fringe in the rear window ….but there’s no excuse for this.
Those railings on the tops of the fenders look like they’re off a boat.
Don’t forget that this body style, the Bel Air, debuted in 1950. Even came with a leather interior. The only thing that is of questionable taste is the luggage rack. Otherwise the owner has made elegant additions that undoubtedly makes this thing a chick magnet. Dingle balls; an up close and personal view of the bell mouth of the fender-mounted horn; stars; and the creatively repurposed roof rack bars. Sorta looks like fins. Way ahead of its time. The front fender chrome sweep looks as though it may have come from a 1951 Ford Crestline.
Excellent car! Beats the BMW 2002 anytime. All the more so for the interesting `trim’ on it. Large enough to be comfy, but not too large like the late 50s-70s creatures, and relatively shorter overhangs to boot. Approved.
Reminds me of the “Schlock Rod” from the old Jan & Dean song after being rediscovered in a junkyard almost half a century later.