1949 Chevy Description

Postwar auto production had seen manufactures issue touched-up versions of their 1942 cars. Some fresh designs had started coming out. In 1949 it was Chevrolet’s turn.

In 1949, Chevrolet presented its first all new models since the end of World War II. The car had a lower, sleeker profile, with the lines of the front fenders smoothly blending into the doors to be countered by the rear fenders that continued to bulge out of the sides of the car. A two-piece curved windshield improved vision and added to the overall sleek look.

There were 14 new models divided into the Fleetline and Styleline series. The Fleetline had both two and four-door fastbacks. The Styleline was represented by notchback styles of sedans, coupes, station wagons (Chevy’s last with structural-wood construction.), and a convertible. The 1949 cars came in two trim levels. The stark Special and the nicer DeLuxe. Fender skirts were part of the DeLuxe trim package.

Improvements in chassis and suspension design made the 1949 Chevrolet one of the best handling to date. The wheelbase was reined in slightly to 115 inches. The framerails were built with what was called box girder construction, a design that dated to 1936 and would continue through 1954. From 1949 through 1954 the wheelbase was 115 inches, front tread was 57 inches for 1949 - 1952, 56.6 inches for 1953 - 1954 while the rear tread for 1949 - 1954 was 58.75 inches. Center-Point Steering and a lower center of gravity improved handling. The steering box bolted to the left framerail and had a draglink, similar to what you would expect with a solid axle, which attached to a bellcrank mounted to the center of the crossmember, which in turn was connected to the spindles by individual tie rods. A crisply operating new shifter mechanism replaced the slow vacuum device. In the rear, more engineering leftover from the 1930s can be found in a closed driveline. The torque tube is solidly attached to the rearend (like early Fords) and connects to the rear of the transmission with a ball and socket arrangement.

Production Numbers

Styleline Special	Production #
4 Door Sport Sedan	46,334
2 Door Town Sedan	69,398
Sport Coupe	27,497
Business Coupe	20,337
Fleetlineline Special	Production #
4 Door Sport Sedan	36,317
2 Door Town Sedan	36,317
Styleline DeLuxe	Production #
4 Door Sport Sedan	191,357
2 Door Town Sedan	147,347
4 Door Wagon, Wood Body	3,342
4 Door Wagon, Steel Body	2,664
Sport Coupe	78,785
Convertible Coupe	32,392
Fleetline DeLuxe	Production #
2 Door Sedan	180,251
4 Door Sedan	130,323

Prices

Styleline Special	Prices
4 Door Sport Sedan	$1,460
2 Door Town Sedan	$1,413
Sport Coupe	$1,418
Business Coupe	$1,339
Fleetlineline Special	Production #
4 Door Sport Sedan	$1,460
2 Door Town Sedan	$1,413
Styleline DeLuxe	Production #
4 Door Sport Sedan	$1,539
2 Door Town Sedan	$1,492
4 Door Wagon, Wood Body	$2,267
4 Door Wagon, Steel Body	$2,267
Sport Coupe	$1,508
Convertible Coupe	1,857
Fleetline DeLuxe	Production #
2 Door Sedan	$1,492
4 Door Sedan	$1,539

Engines

Base Six Cylinder
Overhead valve
Cast Iron block
216.5 cubic inch displacement
Bore & Stroke: 3-1/2 x 3-3/4
Compression ratio: 6.5:1
Carter one-barrel carburetor
Brake Horsepower: 90 @ 3300 RPM
Four main bearings
Solid lifters

1949 Chevy Model Identification

Serial Number Tag and Cowl Tag Locations

Location:

Engine numbers: 6 cylinder on crankcase to rear of distributor. Engine numbers were GA-1001 to GA-1031807.

Serial numbers are on a plate on the drivers side, front door hinge pillar.

Numerical prefix in serial indicates assembly plant as follows:

#	Plant	#	Year	#	Series	#	Month
1	Flint, Michigan	G	1949	K	Fleetline/Styleline Deluxe	A	January
2	Tarrytown, New York	H	1950	J	Fleetline/Styleline Special	B	February
3	St. Louis, Missouri	J	1951			C	March
5	Kansas City, Missouri	K	1952			D	April
6	Oakland, California					E	May
8	Atlanta, Georgia					F	June
9	Norwood, Ohio					G	July
14	Baltimore, Maryland					H	August
21	Janesville, Wisconsin					I	September
						J	October
						K	November
						L	December

Series designations were determined by trim level, not body style. Each line had a Styleline (notchback) and a Fleetline (fastback) sub-series. Serial numbers: 2 digit letter prefix (GJ & GK) indicate year and model, followed by a dash and 4 numbers indicating body type. These 4 numbers could also have a Letter suffix indicating trim or equipment options. Serial numbers for Special Series were GJ-1001 to GJ-47213, Serial numbers for Deluxe Series were GK-1001 to GK-128201.

GJ Special (Styleline and Fleetline).

GK Deluxe (Styleline and Fleetline).

Sequence Numbers: All Assembly Plants Start With "1001".

Style No.: Is a combination body style number. The first two digits represents the year. The next two digits (10) indicates the GM car division (Chevrolet). The next two digits is the style (Model) of the body.

Body No.: Is the sequence or production rotation in which the body was made. The prefix represents the plant in which it was made.

Trim No.: Is the combination number of the trim used in the body.

Paint No.: Is the paint or color combination used on the body.

Go to 49-54 Chevy Paint Charts

Special Series Body Style Numbers

Model Number	Body/Style Number	Styleline Sub Series
1503	49-1269	4 Door Sedan
1502	49-1211	2 Door Sedan
1524	49-1277	2 Door Sport Coupe
1504	49-1227B	2 Door Business Coupe
Model Number	Body/Style Number	Fleetline Sub Series
1553	49-1208	4 Door Sedan
1552	49-1207	2 Door Sedan

Deluxe Series Body Style Numbers

Model Number	Body/Style Number	Styleline Sub Series
2103	49-1069	4 Door Sedan
2102	49-1011	2 Door Sedan
2124	49-1027	2 Door Sport Coupe
2134	49-1067	2 Door Convertible
2109	49-1061	4 Door Wood Wagon
2119	49-1062	4 Door Steel Wagon
Model Number	Body/Style Number	Fleetline Sub Series
2153	50-1008	4 Door Sedan
2152	50-1007	2 Door Sedan