Chevrolet Fleetmaster | |
---|---|
![]() 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster Convertible | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Chevrolet (General Motors) |
Model years | 1946–1948[1] |
Assembly | Janesville Wisconsin Oakland Assembly, Oakland, California North Tarrytown Assembly, Tarrytown, New York Flint Assembly, Flint, Michigan Norwood Assembly, Norwood, Ohio St. Louis Assembly, St. Louis, Missouri Arlington Assembly, Arlington, Texas Oshawa Assembly, Oshawa, Ontario Canada[1] Australia[2] Antwerp, Belgium |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | 2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupe 2-door convertible 4-door station wagon |
Layout | FR layout |
Platform | GM A platform |
Related | Chevrolet Stylemaster Pontiac Streamliner[1] Pontiac Fleetleader (Canada) |
Powertrain | |
Engine | 216.5 cu in (3.5 L) I6[1] |
Transmission | 3-speed manual[1] |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 116 in (2,946 mm)[1] |
Length | 197.75 in (5,023 mm)[1] |
Chronology | |
Predecessor | Chevrolet Special Deluxe[1] |
Successor | Chevrolet Deluxe[1] |
The Chevrolet Fleetmaster is an automobile which was produced by Chevrolet in the United States for the 1946, 1947 and 1948 model years.[1] The Fleetmaster series included the Fleetline sub-series which was offered only in 2-door and 4-door "fastback" bodystyles.[1]
1946
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/1946ChevroletFleetmasterSedan_IMG_1349.jpg/220px-1946ChevroletFleetmasterSedan_IMG_1349.jpg)
The Series DK Fleetmaster was introduced as the top trim level model in the 1946 Chevrolet range, along with the lower level Series DJ Chevrolet Stylemaster.[1] The Fleetmaster, which replaced the "prewar" Chevrolet Special Deluxe,[1] was powered by a 216.5 cu in (3.5 L) Straight-six engine driving through a 3-speed manual transmission.[1] It was offered in 2-door Town Sedan, 4-door Sport Sedan, 2-door Sports Coupe, 2-door Convertible and 4-door Station Wagon models.[1] A Fleetline sub-series was available as the 2-door Aero Sedan and 4-door Sport Master Sedan, both of which featured "fastback" styling and additional triple mouldings on all fenders.[1]
1947
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/1947_Chevrolet_Fleetmaster_Coupe.jpg/220px-1947_Chevrolet_Fleetmaster_Coupe.jpg)
The 1947 Series 2100 EK Fleetmaster was little changed from its predecessor, the most notable visual difference being a new radiator grille with a more horizontal theme.[1]
1948
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/1948_Chevrolet_Fleetmaster_Coupe.jpg/220px-1948_Chevrolet_Fleetmaster_Coupe.jpg)
The 1948 Series 2100 FK Fleetmaster was again little changed from the previous year.[1] There were no significant body alterations, however the radiator grille featured a vertical centre bar.[1]
Replacement
For the 1949 model year the Fleetmaster was replaced by the 2100 GK Series Chevrolet Deluxe, offered in Styleline and Fleetline sub-series.[1]
Australia production
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/1947_Chevrolet_Fleetmaster_%28Australia%29.jpg/220px-1947_Chevrolet_Fleetmaster_%28Australia%29.jpg)
The Chevrolet Fleetmaster was also produced by General Motors-Holden's in Australia.[2] As Holden had carried over the body tooling from its 1940 models, the Australian sedan differed from its US counterpart in having a different body with rear-hinged back doors and a larger trunk.[3] The grilles fitted to the Australian models were the same as those used on the US models.[4] Australian Fleetmasters were produced in 1946, 1947 and 1948 models.[2]
Belgium production
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Mus%C3%A9e_de_Tram%2C_Br%C3%BCssel%2C_Belgien_10.jpg/220px-Mus%C3%A9e_de_Tram%2C_Br%C3%BCssel%2C_Belgien_10.jpg)
General Motors Continental Antwerp plant assembled several Fleetmasters between 1946 and 1948. Taxi fleets purchased large numbers of them.[5][6][7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t John Gunnell, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946 to 1975, Revised 4th Edition, pages 156 to 159
- ^ a b c Norm Darwin, 100 years of GM in Australia, page 76
- ^ Norm Darwin, The History of Holden in Australia since 1917, page 62
- ^ The Post-war Chevrolet, 1946-1948, Restored Cars No 156, Jan-Feb 2003, pages 20 to 23
- ^ Taxis on place du Luxembourg, 1950s
- ^ Taxis in front of South Station, Brussels
- ^ Two Chevrolet 1949 and two Fleetmasters on place royale