You’d think that with the all-new V8 cars on the horizon, Chevy would have phoned it in for the 1954 model year. But you’d be wrong. The ’54 Chevrolets were certainly similar to the ‘53s, and that was certainly a good thing—plenty of chrome made them look far more expensive than they were. And for reasons that aren’t altogether clear, they even introduced a new trim level in the middle of the year: the Delray, which was available as a sedan or as a handsome club coupe. A few detail changes, lots of colors, handsome interiors, and impressive performance from the reliable Stovebolt Six made these cars competitive with V8 models from across town, and today they remain favorites with guys who like the softer early ‘50s styling and silky smooth inline-6 powerplants. Take a look at this lovely Bermuda Green Delray club coupe and see if it doesn’t win you over with its charm.

Despite the reasonable price, these are expensive cars to restore and this coupe was treated to a fairly pricey frame-on restoration about 10 years ago. It’s been driven and enjoyed, but it has also been correctly maintained so that it remains in excellent condition throughout. Code 542 Bermuda Green is this car’s original color, and when it was restored they added a correct India Ivory top that really dresses it up nicely. Fit and finish are quite good and you’ll be pleased with the way the doors swing closed with precision, the neat panel gaps, and the low effort hinges for the hood and trunk. It does not appear to have ever been a rusty car—it’s a frame-on restoration and you can see the original undercarriage has no signs of rot—and there was good money invested in the finished product. There’s a bit of period-correct metallic in the finish so it glows in the sunlight but the green finish never gets too loud. There’s a huge amount of chrome and stainless on this Chevy, all of which is in excellent condition and you know that doesn’t come cheap. Accessories include fender skirts, front and rear bumper guards and a visor over the windshield that’s a traditional ‘50s look and it’s practical, too!

Inside there’s a stock green and white vinyl interior that’s just as well-dressed as the exterior. Detailed door panels add the same kind of interest that the side trim adds to the bodywork and the dash has been painted to match. Color matched carpets cover lots of sound-deadening material so it’s quiet and comfortable inside and everything is completely stock save for the seat belts, which are a good idea. All the factory gauges are fully operational except the clock, and even the factory AM radio works like it should. There’s very little wear on any of the soft surfaces and the seats are comfortable enough for long drives in the country. The little prism on the windshield frame is a trafficator, which gives you a vague idea what color the traffic light is when you can’t see it above the windshield visor. The trunk is correctly finished with a reproduction rubber mat and a full-sized matching spare tire with jack assembly.

It would be a mistake to underestimate Chevy’s 235 cubic inch inline-6, which was every bit a match for Ford’s flathead V8 and infinitely smoother. This one is rebuilt and runs like a sewing machine, with a precise-sounding whirr but little else coming from under the hood. There’s plenty of torque on tap and with the 3-speed manual transmission, it’s lively around town. The blue paint and “Blue Flame” decals should look familiar, as this same engine lived in early Corvettes, and it’s worth noting that the paint on the firewall is original, so you know just how clean this car really is. The engine was nicely detailed when it was restored but now shows the usual signs of use, including paint that has burned off the manifolds and some discoloration on the carburetor. However, it does have correct details like the oil bath air cleaner, a reproduction wiring harness, and wire-style hose clamps for the right look. The generator has been replaced by an alternator, and it’s nice to see the ammeter showing a charge even at idle with the headlights on. It cranks to life almost instantly and idles smoothly even when it’s cold, and out on the road you can’t even feel it working which is really impressive. It makes a nice 6-cylinder growl but for the most part, it just pulls the Delray around without ever calling attention to itself. It’s really easy to like this car.

The 3-speed manual transmission is often preferred to the 2-speed PowerGlide automatic, and makes the most of the Stovebolt’s 107 horsepower. Shifts are crisp, clutch action is light, and the six makes enough torque that first gear really isn’t even needed except at a dead stop. In back there are 3.70 gears, which are a nice mix between good reflexes around town and reasonable highway cruising, and with the bulletproof and silky smooth six under the hood, it’s comfortable at 60 MPH. Look underneath and you’ll see recent parts in the front suspension, a newer muffler and tailpipe, and coil-over shocks in back. The floors, while a little grimy, are completely solid with no signs of rust or rot, including the spare tire well, which is always the first place trouble starts on these cars. It feels tight going down the road, which is the hallmark of a car that has never been blown apart. Part of those great road manners are the fresh 205/75/15 wide whitewall radials on the original wheels, which gives it a period-perfect look.

This car also includes an original owner’s manual.

This Delray is one of those cars that’s easy to overlook, but once you give it a try you’ll wonder why it took so long. The engine is delightful and the look is just right for a car that’s easy to afford but wants to go to shows. It’s perfect for driving events, keeps up easily with modern traffic, and, well, we just can’t think of a better way to spend some time on a weekend than behind the wheel of this pretty green coupe. Call today!