Double headlamps tip-off to Delray

Laurent d’Entremont

laudent@hotmail

My neighbor, and fourth or fifth cousin, Norman d’Entremont, has a 1958 Chevrolet Delray, a very well restored blue on white four-door sedan. Compared with my 1931 Ford Woody Wagon, this ’58 Chevy looks like it just left the showroom; yet, it is now already 50 years old.

People who are not attuned to the old car world would meet this automobile on the road and not even know that it is an antique vehicle. On the other hand, any connoisseur of antique cars would know it is a ‘58 and not a ‘57 because of the double headlamps.

The Chevrolet Delray was a low price, no frills model, when compared with the more expensive models like the Impala, Biscayne or Bel Air.

This low priced vehicle had limited options with minimal interior and exterior trim. However, one would never guess that this car had a low price tag. Assembled with the widespread use of anodized aluminum, chrome and stainless steel spelled nothing short of quality. Norman’s Delray is sporting beautiful blue and white trim with matching dashboard and door panels. When Norman and his wife Rosaline are in a parade with this antique sedan people stand up and take notice. The name “Delray” is displayed on the quarter panels.

Of course, in 1958 the foreign makes had not yet made much impact, or inroads, in competing with North American sales. General Motors’ main competition was Ford, Chrysler and a few lesser known companies by other automakers of the times. One hundred seventy eight thousand Delrays had been built that year and now needed to be sold, as well as the more expensive models. Some of the slogans advertised were: “Like going places in high style at low cost? Look no farther than the shapely 4 door Delray. Your family’s small ones can practically sight over the roof - it’s that low”. Another Chevy ad stated, “The traveling is as nifty as the price is thrifty.”

When my neighbor started talking about buying a 1958 Chevrolet Sedan, and although it was none of my business, I tried to convince him to buy a 1957 instead. I thought the 1957 model was a lot classier and sportier with beautiful lines; to me it was the most beautiful automobile that Chevrolet had ever produced.

How well I remember the ’57 Bel Air, with its three chrome lovers on the front fenders, chrome rocker panels, and a ribbed aluminum panel between the rear trim bars. I even knew of a collector who had a silver colored ’57 for sale at a reasonable price. However, Norman had made up his mind, ’58 models brought back childhood memories to him and it was in the Annapolis Valley that my friend found his dream car at a very reasonable price tag.

Over the years, Norman has given his car a fresh coat of authentic paint, the original color, of course, four new tires and many other items to make the car run smoother, be safer on the road plus a bit of cosmetic to make it more appealing to the naked eye. Also over the years I came to appreciate Norman’s car and can understand why he preferred the ’58 over the previous year’s model. This beautiful auto is sort of a rarity around here and when visitors come to see my two antique Fords I also show them the sparkling Delray next door. My neighbor repays the visit when car guys come to see him.

The Delray, with its 235 straight six, is as dependable as when it left the dealership 50 years ago. Just the same, when we leave for a car show in Barrington or Yarmouth, I always joke with Norman not to worry if his car breaks down, because I’ll always be happy to tow him back home with my Model A Ford. Not likely to happen…knock on wood for both of us.

Now, just suppose he decides to trade the ‘58 on a ’59 model -- this later model had wings on the back like a space ship -- and looks as if it was ready for take off. In that case I would have to try to talk him out of it because, deep down inside, I really love that ’58 Delray almost as much as he does.