Last updated on August 12, 2021
Todays car is a 1954 Chevrolet Townsman Bel Air Tin Woody Station Wagon and it is finished in Morocco Red and India Ivory with a Dark Saddle Leather interior. It has a tilt steering wheel and custom gages. It is owned by Vinny Chelland. Vinny was first acquainted with this wagon while hanging out at a local surf shop in the late 1970’s. He does not know if it was even registered then. It was just a communal vehicle. Vinny was reacquainted with car around 2016. It was a mess with its full share of rust and damage. He went to work and brought to to the magnificent condition you see it in today. I saw this car at “Cruise at the Beach” which is located at 245 North Harbor Dr. Redondo Beach Marina on Fridays from 3-6:30 PM. This show continues on Fridays until August 27th, 2021.
It is powered by a blue printed 383 cu in, 6.27 liter, Chevrolet V8 engine producing 370 hp and transferring that power through a 700R4 4 – speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Delivering that power to the rear wheels through 3.70 t0 1 gears in a 9 inch rear end. The Torque Thrust style chrome wheels, 16 inch in the front and 17 inch in the rear, give the car a great look. Helping slow this baby down are disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear. The original MSRP in 1954 was $2260.00. The total number of 1954 Chevrolets produced were 1,151,486 of which 486,240 were Bel Airs and 8,156 were station wagons.
While Vinny likes to drive his cars he has only entered this driven 1954 in 11 shows and has won 9 Best in Shows. Wow! Great car and very fun story. Thanks for riding along. Frank
