Chuck Zeglin's 1951 Chevrolet
1951 Chevrolet Boattail Roadster originally built by Immortals member Chuck Zeglin of Van Nuys, California. Chuck based his build on a 1951 Chevrolet Styleline sedan that he bought from a junkyard in Levenworth, Kansas in 1986. He got the stock 216 running, and drove it around as a lowered stocker for a while. After a while he decided to replace the babbit splash 216 with a 230 inline six engine with a three speed and and a 10 bolt Chevy rear-end. The car was later fit with a TH-350, and a 1950 Mercury rear end. After living in Kansas for a while, Chuck moved back to California. He brought the car with him. The car was still a lowered stocker by then, and Chuck even drove it coast-to-coast twice before he cut the roof off in 1991.[2] After Chuck had cut the roof off, he added 5 inches to the wheelbase, before he added 1950 Pontiac sheetmetal and installed a 1975 Jaguar 4.2L DOHC straight-six engine. The engine had stock internals, but Chuck fabricated a pair of intake elbows to fit the Ford two-barrel carbs. He also added early smooth cam covers and an early XK-120 fan. The car was backed by a T5 transmission that turned a 1957 Ford 9-inch rearend that was equipped with 4.11:1 gears.[3] With the Jag engine, Chuck ran a best of 16.4 seconds at about 82 mph with no posi and skinny tires.[2]
Around 1995 Chuck installed a Mustang II front end that he torched out of a car.[2] After putting the longer Pontiac sheetmetal on the car Chuck felt the car looked a little long for a two-seater. He liked the front, but thought there was too much car behind the rear seats. Chuck therefore took the doors off the Chevy, and cut the whole car right in half, frame and all right behind the seats. He shortened it 7 inches before he welded it all back together again. New shorter door skins and rockers were fabricated for the car and welded in during this operation.[2]
Chuck eventually sold the car. In February of 2013 it was advertised for sale on eBay. The car was then located in Santa Clare, California, and the asking price was $ 19,500 USD.[4]
References
Did you enjoy this article?
Kustomrama is an encyclopedia dedicated to preserve, share and protect traditional hot rod and custom car history from all over the world.
- Help us keep history alive. For as little as 2.99 USD a month you can become a monthly supporter. Click here to learn more.
- Subscribe to our free newsletter and receive regular updates and stories from Kustomrama.
- Do you know someone who would enjoy this article? Click here to forward it.
Can you help us make this article better?
Please get in touch with us at mail@kustomrama.com if you have additional information or photos to share about Chuck Zeglin's 1951 Chevrolet.
This article was made possible by:
SunTec Auto Glass - Auto Glass Services on Vintage and Classic Cars
Finding a replacement windshield, back or side glass can be a difficult task when restoring your vintage or custom classic car. It doesn't have to be though now with auto glass specialist companies like www.suntecautoglass.com. They can source OEM or OEM-equivalent glass for older makes/models; which will ensure a proper fit every time. Check them out for more details!
Do you want to see your company here? Click here for more info about how you can advertise your business on Kustomrama.
