Words & Photos: Gary Rosier
Chevrolet was like every other car manufacturer post WWII. They wanted to keep up with the insatiable appetite it seemed of the public as airplane and tank production turned into mass production of the auto once again. Manufacturing was at its peak, if you blinked, you probably missed something year to year with all the modern and updated production capability we were seeing by the various manufacturers. (By the end of the 50’s, one in 6 working Americans were either employed directly or indirectly working in the automotive industry.) 1953 saw the introduction of the Chevrolet 210 series which would go on through the 57 model year. It took its name from shortening the production series number (2100) by one digit in order to capitalize on the then 50’s trend towards numerical auto names.
Rich and Linda Jones of Port Orange, Fl own this beautiful example of a 1954 210 series Coupe. Rich is quick to point out that while he built many a Hot Rod over the years, he couldn’t pass up this car which had been built by Mike Messerschmidt of Apopka, Fl. Seems Mike was relocating to Kansas and wanted to sell it to help with the expenses and have one less thing to move. Rich was looking to do another project as he had built so many in the past to include a 55 Chevy, 56 Chevy, 39 Chevy Coupe, 58 Impala and even a 41 Ford Coupe to name a few. As the years pass us by he said, time became public enemy number one and this car was as nice as he could ever have imagined building one with a price that was both reasonable and affordable. It had all the “right stuff” as Rich pointed out.
Powered by a Chevy 400 small block that was bored .30 over, with Dart heads added, equiped also with Sanderson Headers, a 600 Eldebrock carb, HEI Electronic’s which fired the gasses and Dual electric fans to keep her cool. A Muncie 4-speed with Hurst Shifter changes the gears and all that power is transmitted back to an ’81 Camaro posi rear with 2:73 gears. Wheels are American Racing with BF Goodrich P195/65R15’s in front and P255/60R15’s in back. A Sun Pro 8k Super Tach keeps track of the rpm’s. The car was re-wired to a 12 volt system (’54 was the last year for the factory 6 volt and Blue Flame 6 cylinder) and has the stock but updated instrumentation in place.
Comfort goodies are a Pioneer am/fm CD System with door mounted speakers as well as Vintage A/C. Power steering and tilt column with a LeCara steering wheel keeps it pointed in the right direction and power disc brakes on all four corners helps it stop. Other comfort goodies are ’92 Honda Prelude seats, recovered as the rest of the interior, all in a beige leather. Exterior wise, the hood and deck lid has been shaved and a power antenae added on the passenger side rear fender. The front grill was modified too with 4 extra “teeth” added. Its been painted a PPG color custom mix they call Lemon Ice.
This car cruises all day long Rich says, stays cool (and in the Florida heat that’s important he says) as well as keeps Linda cool inside too (MORE important Rich says with a laugh!!) You can’t miss this car with its Lemon Ice paint for sure. It runs cool, keeps you cool, keeps you looking very cool and is one ride that will “Ice” the competition for sure!
Car Images:
