We have gotten several request to feature our ride. We thought the 1949 Journal was more than enough about our car. Gearhead Geek / 49-54 Chevy is for the members and since the members want to see our Ride then here it is.

Jesse and Sharri Benton's 1949 Chevy Styleline Deluxe.

Jesse says that the car is a work in progress and would not consider it a Rat Rod. He said that the car gets called that often because of the rust color, primer paint. He lovingly refers to the car as a drivable mock-up.

The plans for the car are to make it a Restro-Mod. That means a vintage vehicle that takes advantage of modern components during restoration to improve performance, safety and comfort. Modifications to the exterior should be minor or not so drastic that the car no longer looks like it belongs to it’s decade of manufacture. "If it is a 1950’s car then it should still look like one", said Jesse. "The car should inspire memories of past decades and must have nostalgic presence. It should look like a mild custom from the 1950s."

Jesse stated, "This car is for driving. For me the best thing about a car is the experience of the drive. I don't want to make anything on the car so nice that I would not want to drive it."

The Styleline was built on June 16th 1949, in Saint Louis, Missouri. It was the 45,015th, Series 2102 built at the plant. The car was sold at a dealer in Illinois. The car was still in Illinois when Jesse got it.

Body modifications include the removal of the front and rear bumpers. To replace the bumpers there is an air dam and smoothed lower front fenders, on the front and a smoothed lower rear fenders and rear pan on the back. The two piece hood seam has been smoothed out. Almost all of the body trim and emblems have been removed and the holes filled. The license plate lights have been removed. Body accessories are a 1949 Pontiac windshield visor, wing window visors and round door mirrors.

The front frame is from a 1969 Camaro, which provides power disc brakes, power steering and V8 motor mounts. The engine is a junkyard special, a Chevy 305 from a 1985 El Camino. Transmission is a TH350. The rear axle is a big 10 bolt (8.5 Ring Gear) from a 1970 Nova. The brake and gas pedals as well as the steering column are from a 1969 Camaro.

The wheels are Cragar Smoothies, 15X8 rear and 15X6 front. The tires are Dayton 215/70R15 on the rear and 235/60R15 on the front. "This gives the car the proper rake. Having my first car experiences in the late 1960s and early 1970s, makes the rear-up rake scream Hot Rod to me.", explained Jesse.

The interior has bucket seats, Sunpro guages, a CD Player mounted into a center console and a Z Gate shifter.

For all the details past and current visit the 1949 Journal