1951 Chevrolet Belair, Texas Car Since New, 1-family Ownership, 3-speed on 2040-cars

I am selling this car for the family of the recently deceased owner, who was a friend of mine. The car has been in his family since it was new. His brother bought the car new in Bonham, Texas and then traded it in for a new '52 when those came out. My deceased friend David learned that his brother had traded the car in to the dealer, and promptly bought it back from the dealer in 1952 and kept it until his passing about three months ago. He restored the car about 20 years ago, so it might be called an older restoration. At that time it received new paint, an engine overhaul, and the correct LeBaron-Bonney interior upholstery. It has been garaged since then  and driven mainly in parades and antique car club functions. Since his death, the car has not been moved or started, so it may require a battery charge or a new battery and some fresh gas--possibly draining the tank of the old gas, but it ran well when I took these photos last fall. The car has rarely ventured very far from Bonham, Texas and that is where it is located now (northeast of Dallas near Oklahoma border). I will make sure it runs and can be driven onto a trailer or transport truck before it leaves here. The license plate is current and you might be able to drive it home, but I do not know the age of the fan belt, hoses, and tires.

It is equipped with a six-cylinder engine (the original one, as far as I know), three-speed manual shift transmission on the steering column, fender skirts, an after-market split exhaust manifold, and after-market dual exhausts radio, and clock. It still has the six-volt electrical system. There is no rust in the trunk floor nor the interior floors. It has been a northeast Texas car since new, so never any road salt exposure. The only body filler that I know of is some in the lower rear corner of the passenger door, due to a dent there long ago. Consequently, that corner sticks out about an eighth to a 16th of an inch when the door is fully closed. All other body lines and seams line up well, and the doors, hood, and trunk lid close and open easily. The car does not overheat in parades and does not smoke excessively out the exhaust. I have known the car for 22 years and in that time it has never been abused, never sat outside overnight, and rarely gone more than 20 or 30 miles from home.

If I owned the car, I would clean and repaint the engine in a proper gray color, and I would have the bumpers replated because they are a bit dull and not up to the quality and condition of the rest of the car, which is very nice.

I can recommend a car hauling firm in Dallas, if need be, but you need to get your own quotes for hauling it. There is a fair reserve price on the car--please do not ask what it is, as that gives some bidders unfair advantage over others. I expect a $500 deposit from the winning bidder within 48 hours of the auction's conclusion, and full payment within 10 days of auction's conclusion. Failure to comply with EITHER one of these conditions will result in default and the car will then be offered to the runner up bidder. The car can stay where it is for another 30 days, but after that, you need to make other arrangements or pay the owners for storage. Title is free and clear. I will try to answer all questions, but the person who knew the car best is gone now. It was his "baby" and he took very good care of it as long as his health held up. If you live nearby and want to see it in person, contact me by email and I will make arrangements or give you the widow's phone # to make arrangements with her. Car is in a locked garage about 4 miles north of Bonham, Texas 75418. I do have a pickup truck and open trailer, so there is a possibility that I could deliver it for my expenses, provided the car is paid in full first.