Literal Eye On A 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline

Just keep an eye on my car,...        read full caption Just keep an eye on my car, okay? Well, since you asked, the horn button seemed like a good place for it...

Dig the full fadeaway fenders,...        read full caption Dig the full fadeaway fenders, flush-fit skirts, and smooth bodywork. Plum Pearl over black with ghost flames licking the nose was applied by Gene Winfield and Bill Reasoner. It just doesn’t get much smoother than this, kids.

Underhood, a muy-sparkly-but-mild...        read full caption Underhood, a muy-sparkly-but-mild 350/350 originally built by Ryan Falconer rests in a James Bushaw–narrowed Nova clip. The driveshaft turns a coilover-suspended ’55 Chevy rear with 3.70 gears. Part of the update that Rick had performed included installing A/C, upgrading the brakes, and having the transmission rebuilt by Ted Munsell of Trick Works.

The interior is pearl-white...        read full caption The interior is pearl-white with gold trim and was stitched by Bob Sieps from Missouri. The dash was painted to match the exterior and includes a full set of teardrop knobs. Power buckets are separated by a custom console, which houses the audio system, window switches, and a CB radio for those long road trips.

Out back, the trunk trim...        read full caption Out back, the trunk trim and the taillights were shaved with a custom set of lights fabricated into the overriders on the shaved bumpers.

Part of the original build...        read full caption Part of the original build included a 51/2-inch chop and a conversion to hardtop with Matranga Merc-inspired curved glass where the B-pillar used to reside. Ted Munsell also installed power windows during the car’s update.

Every car has a story. Some are interesting, some boring. Others are just too bizarre to be made up—like the story attached to Renate De James’ sweet Fleet. The first part is all good: the beautiful ’48 Fleetline was built in California for the late Harold Olsen by a who’s who of customizers—Gene Winfield, Bill Reasoner, Rod Powell, Art Himsl, and Ryan Falconer. It spent some time on the show circuit and even won an award at the Oakland Roadster Show (now the Grand National Roadster Show). According to legend, Mr. Olsen asked his wife to “keep an eye on my car” just before he passed away. Apparently she took him a bit too literally and had his glass eye mounted on the horn button.

The car was later purchased by Rhys Hallet and taken to Pennsylvania, where it was eventually sold to Rick De James as a gift for his wife, Renate. It was still in pretty good shape after 10 years on the road, but Rick wasn’t satisfied with pretty good, so he had it updated. One thing that Rick was adamant about leaving intact during the refurb was Harold’s eye in the steering wheel. He feels it adds to the history of the car, making it that much more interesting—as well as adding a bit of creep factor when he tells the story. Either way, the car’s a winner.