Chevrolet 150


The Chevrolet One-Fifty was the economy/fleet model of the Chevrolet car from 1953 to 1957. It took its name by shortening the production series number by one digit in order to capitalize on the numerical auto name trend of the 1950s. The numerical designation "150" was also sporadically used in company literature. It replaced the Styleline Special model available in previous years. This model was dropped following the 1957 model year and replaced by the Delray.

History

The One-Fifty was mainly conceived as a fleet model and little effort was spent marketing it to the average car buyer of the day, although sales weren't limited to fleets. It was most popular with police, state governments, small businesses, economy-minded consumers and hot rodders. Chevrolet sold substantially fewer One-Fifties than Two-Tens or the Chevrolet Bel Air in every year of its life.
True to Chevrolet's vision, the 150 was no-frills basic transportation. It had limited options, stark trim, solid colors, plain heavy duty upholstery and rubberized flooring. Small things like ashtrays, cigarette lighters and even mirrors were extra cost options. Compared to the mid-level Two-Ten or premium Bel Air models, the One-Fifty was stark and bland.
Body style choices were also limited to sedans, Handyman wagons and the club coupe. The only body styles specific to the One-Fifty were decidedly fleet oriented — the sedan delivery and the business sedan — a 2-door sedan with immobile rear windows and back seat removed. Powertrain choices were limited to manual transmissions and low output engines until 1954. In 1957, a full race-ready version was also available, commonly known as the "Black Widow" for its black-and-white paint color. It was equipped with 4-wheel heavy-duty brakes, 6-lug wheels and dual shock absorbers.

Collector value

In general, One-Fifties are less valuable than the sibling Two-Ten and Bel Air models on the collectors' market, but the rare surviving sedan delivery or Utility Sedan can command premium prices, particularly the 1957 model when equipped with a fuel-injected engine. V8 One-Fifties are popular with hot rod enthusiasts, due to lower curb weight and lower prices. As many One-Fifty models saw use in law enforcement, this model often serves as the basis for latter-day modification into a 1950s-era police car.

1953–1954 models

This was the first year for both the One-Fifty and Two-Ten. The two model years were essentially the same, except that the business coupe was renamed the Utility Sedan for 1954. The 150 came only with the base engine in 1953. The 150 came with a horn button, rather than the 210 and upscale Bel Air's horn ring.

Powertrains

Three engines were used in the 1953–1954 model years, although not all were available at the same time. All One-Fifties in 1953 used a 3-speed Synchromesh manual transmission. Starting in 1954, Powerglide automatic transmission was available on this series.
The 1955 model year marked the introduction of a new chassis, all new streamlined single bow bodywork, and the debut of Chevrolet's Small Block V8. The One-Fifty buyer was free to choose any powertrain option available. The business sedan was renamed the utility sedan this year. Unlike the 210 and the Bel Air, the 150 did not have any of the stainless steel trim.

Engines

Engine choices remained the same, except for higher power ratings. The 265 in3 V8 was available in three different versions. The I6 had a new unified build regardless of transmission type.

Engines

New for 1957 was the 283 in3 small-block V8. The fuel-injected version was theoretically also available to the 150 buyer. The 1957 150 had side trim similar to the 1955's Bel Air trim. 56,266 '57 Chevy 150 four-door sedans were made, compared to the approximately 75,000 2-door versions.

Engines