Print this pageThis car was sold new, in Corpus Christi, Texas. When the lady that owned the car, became unable to drive, she gave the car to her grandson. He immediately threw a rod out through the oil pan and parked the car. I bought the car from the grandson in Beeville, Texas for $75 and bought an engine for parts for it out of a friends’ wrecked Che
vrolet for $15.Since 1964, I have put over 340,000 miles on “The Old Chevy” as the car has come to be known. I drove the car regularly to work from 1964 until the mid 1990’s. During my career in the Navy, the car was driven across country numerous times. At one time, just after I retired from the Navy, and was working in Los Angeles I was commuting 120 miles daily in the car. During a four year period from 1981 to 1985 I pout over 130,000 miles on “The Old Chevy” when she was over 40 years old. She got a grease job and oil change very other weekend in those days. In addition, the car also survived the loving care of my daughter and son while they were teenagers.
“The Old Chevy” is a national traveler and has been driven in many different areas. The following is a chronological list of the places she has performed service- Corpus Christi, TX., Beeville, TX., Sanford, FL., Lemoore, CA., San Francisco, CA., Jacksonville, FL., Memphis, Tenn., Pendleton, IN., Monterey, CA., Pensacola, FL., El Centro, CA., Mexicali, Mexico, Lemoore, CA., Fallon, NV., San Diego, CA., Tijuana, Mexico, Mission Viejo, CA., and Shreveport, LA.
“The Old Chevy” was maintained instead of restored. She has been repainted twice, upholstered twice, transmission rebuilt twice, and the engine rebuilt four times. “The Old Chevy” still runs with the original rear end and on the original wheel bearings. All of the sheet metal is original and selected items have been re-chromed over the y
ears.This is currently painted the original color 1940 Chevrolet “Gulf Blue” and the upholstery kit provided by Hampton Coach was fabricated using 1940 Chevrolet original patterns and materials. “The Old Chevy” is in well-earned semi-retirement now and is driven infrequently and to car shows.
By Mike Deeter owner and operator of “The Old Chevy”
