1953 Chevrolet 150

1953 Chevrolet Handyman Wagon 42k original miles.

The youtube video has all engine specs in the description https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkdPuKdb38o

Very nice wagon, lots of original patina with tons of mechanical updates and old school performance upgrades. The wagon was pulled out of storage 8 years ago with 38k miles and was brought back to life by a true early 50s Chevrolet enthusiast (I am selling the car for him). The wagon has a nice mix of period-correct touches as well as modern equipment to make the it very comfortable, easy to drive and usable in modern traffic. The wagon was originally sold by Paul Manning Chevrolet in Des Moines, IA. It has been shown several times at the Des Moines Concours de Elegance show and won Mayors Choice at the Highland Carousel show in 2023.

Body - very solid, original paint, passenger rear door and quarter have been touched up/blended shows very well. Paint is two tone Surf Green bottom, Woodland Green top. It has minor bumps and surface rust here and there. Overall the patina gives the car a TON of character. Tailgate and glass hatch both work perfectly. The chrome shows nicely but does have some dings, surface rust and fading.

Engine - straight six, 285 stroker with a dual Fenton 2-barrel setup four total barrels. Produces great power, much better than the standard 216, 235, and 261 straight sixes. Extremely reliable, starts right up, runs great around town or at highway speeds. Has a split exhaust manifold with true dual exhaust, pipes are tucked in nicely and exit out of the back corners.

Transmission - stock original rebuilt 3 speed manual that has been converted from column shift to floor via a Hurst conversion kit. New clutch, newer u-joints.

Brakes - Wilwood front discs and Wilwood dual master cylinder. The rears are 1953 Ford 1-ton brakes with 1953 Corvette drums NOS. Brake system is not power, but it stops really well.

Suspension - New rear leaf springs, shackles and shocks.

Interior - the seats, headliner, door panels and brightwork are original and in great shape (see pics). Has the original rubber cargo mat in the back, in decent shape.

Tires - 15 Coker wide white radials.

Glass - there is small chip in the windshield, all other glass is in good shape, just replaced cracked drivers door glass. The windows and wing windows roll up and down smoothly and easily.

Upgrades
Air Conditioner - Cool Car vintage 1956 aftermarket AC unit, under hood compressor R12 Freon works perfectly.

Radio - digital radio with Blue Tooth capability, in dash speaker, 2 speakers under front seat and 2 speakers under the rear seat.

Power steering - owner added, works fantastic, very easy to steer even at low speeds.

Seat belts - added 2 in the front, 1 in the rear. They are vintage Sears Robuck aftermarket units.

WIX oil filter canister - replaced original, moved to front drivers fender area to allow room for the 2 bbl setup.

Class 3 receiver hitch with trailer wiring and vintage trailer brake controller. The owner set this up to tow a small vintage camper.

New radiator with an auxiliary electric fan (belt driven fan also in place and working).

Vintage Dietz amber fog lights.

Roof rack added, from an older Ford wagon.

Extras - comes with several boxes of spare parts, extra clutch, factory radio, aftermarket towing mirrors and other odds and ends.