Modified 1946 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Cabriolet

Description

In the years immediately following the end of World War II, Chevrolet went back to its 1942 tooling to jump start its passenger car business. The public was starved for new cars and sales kept pace with production, resulting in cars that changed little for several years as Chevrolet built as many vehicles as possible.

The Fleetmaster line was Chevrolet’s middle trim level in this period, comparable to the Special Deluxe trim level from the prewar years, with the Stylemaster being the budget offering and the Fleetline being the top trim level. Differences were mostly expressed in exterior brightwork, but upgraded upholstery and features such as sun visors also separated the trim levels. The Fleetmaster was available in a variety of body styles, including a two-door Aerosedan, Town Sedan, and Cabriolet. A four-door line included a fastback Sport Sedan and an eight-passenger true “woodie” Station Wagon.

The car’s original engine was the “Blue Flame” overhead valve, inline six-cylinder that displaced 216.5 cubic inches and delivered 90 horsepower. It was mated to a three-speed manual gearbox with column shift. This one has received numerous mechanical and appearance upgrades, including a rebuilt Chevrolet 327 cu-in V8, TH350 turbo automatic transmission, and a Ford Mustang II front-end. 

Highlights 

• 1946 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Cabriolet from the last year of “1942 model” postwar automobile production 

• Finished in black paint over gray interior with two-tone leather/cloth upholstery 

• Upgrades prior to current ownership in 2005 include: 

  • Rebuilt Chevrolet 327 cu-in V8 engine 

  • TH350 turbo three-speed automatic transmission 

  • Mustang II front-end mechanicals 

  • Power convertible top 

  • Modern seats in front and rear 

• Front portion of car was repainted in 2020  

• New convertible top installed in 2014  

• New seats from WiseGuys Custom Automotive Seating in Elkhart, Indiana, installed in 2011 (reupholstered in 2012) 

• Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo installed in 2012 

• The chassis number (6DK111414) decodes as: 

  • 6 – Oakland, California, assembly plant 

  • D – 1946 model year 

  • K – Fleetmaster line 

  • I – September  

  • 11414 – Sequential production number  

Features 

• Rear-wheel-drive, two-door convertible 

• Leather-wrapped, SS steering wheel 

• Dash instrumentation: 

  • Original 100 mph speedometer and odometer  

  • Oil pressure 

  • Water temperature  

  • Fuel level  

  • Battery voltage 

  • Original analog clock 

• Multiple speakers, including in rear seat arm rests 

• Floor console with cup holders 

• Courtesy lights 

• Heater 

• Manual side windows 

• Vent windows 

• Seat belts 

• Sun visors (with passenger vanity mirror) 

• Floor mats 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint chips up front 

• Clock does not work 

• Webbing and cracking in rear paint 

• Fender flare by firewall has rust holes 

Included 

• Spare tire and cover 

• Cross wrench 

• Car cover 

• Spare set of side mirrors 

• Service records since 2005 in binders 

Ownership History 

This 1946 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Cabriolet belonged to the consignor’s late father, who “bought it from a bean farmer in New Hampshire.” The father used it as his daily driver for years and also “drove to car shows in Pennsylvania, Vermont, Canada, and everywhere in between.”