The "Would Have Loved To Have Owned This Piece Of Auto History" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Headed east on Route 23 toward the Shady Maple Restaurant when I saw it out of the corner of my eye.  Sitting in front of a bodyshop was this beautiful 1952 Chevrolet Coupe with chrome that caused the sunlight to reflect off the bumpers right back at me.  I assumed that it had been in the body shop for some work and the beautiful paint job reminded me of the two-tone beach white and bittersweet colors that a friend of mine used to have when we were both in college.  Just had to turn around and take a better look at it before continuing along my journey.  

Front plate told me it was a 1952 with plate that would have expired in 1953.

Sure enough, the coupe was a 1952 Chevy coupe.  In 1952 the Chevrolet coupes rested on a 115-inch wheelbase and had a length of 197.75 inches while the station wagons were slightly longer at just over 198 inches.  They used a box grinder frame with semi-elliptic rear springs and a knee-action front suspension setup with direct double-acting shock absorbers.  The car had two different straight six engines available that year.  

Beautiful colors with rear backup lights.

One was the 216.5 cubic inch with 92 horsepower and a 235.5 cubic inch with 105 horsepower.  I have no idea which engine this car might have had or even if it still had the original engine in it.  Well, I stopped in the shop and asked if I could take a few photos of the car, both inside and outside.  Fellow told me he didn't mind so I headed back out the door.  

This photo shows the extra Crome work around the rear fender and wide whitewall tires.

Years and years ago I had a 1958 Chevy Impala convertible that I had a few changes made to the engine an also had my uncle paint the car a bright white.  It was a stick-shift, but only a three-speed.  I went to the local junk yard and found a grill that had bright chrome bullets across it and inserted it in the front of the car.  Removed the stock tail-lights and made my own in the plastics shop at Millersville State Teachers College where I was a student.  

Interior shows added turn signal unit.  Great colors enhance the interior.

Car looked neat when I put the top down on it and took a ride in it.  Well...this 1952 that I was standing in front of was pretty neat also and had a perfect interior and exterior.  Nothing fancy, just a perfect stock interior with an automatic transmission.  I did notice that it had a turn-signal unit added to the steering column which made me suspect that the 1952 car may not have had turn signals when they were made.  Loved the colors of the interior and also the dice that hung from the mirror.  It came equipped with an AM radio.  The car had an antique license plate on the back with a 1952 plate on the front that would have expired March 31, 1953.  

Spotlights on either side of the car can be seen above the mirrors.

Then it struck me...the car probably wasn't in for mechanical problems, but for state inspection.  One way or another...the car was beautiful and I wish it would have been going back to my house instead of someplace else.  Oh well, maybe someday!  Jumped back in my car and headed toward Shady Maple for photos for another story I already shared with you.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.