Redesigning the 1950 Chevrolet Special and Deluxe was a costly undertaking, so its major revamping had to last a few years to pay off.

The 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe sport coupe changed little from 1949 models.

Following up on a hugely successful 1949, 1950 Chevrolets showed only mild styling changes, led by a touched-up grille. Not that it mattered. Shoppers still clamored for new cars, and Chevrolet ended the year with record sales -- nearly 1.5 million.

As one ad noted, "Chevrolet has the whole town talking." What many of those folks talked about was gearshifting -- or the lack of it: namely, Chevy's new Powerglide transmission, the first automatic in the "low-priced three."

Optional for $159 on DeLuxe models only, Powerglide operated through only a single speed unless the driver selected "Low" range manually. In theory, the torque converter's variable ratios would meet all driving needs. Besides, cars with Powerglide carried a stronger (105-horsepower) and larger (235.5 cubic inch) six-cylinder engine, with hydraulic lifters and a higher-lift cam.

Despite those extra horses, Powerglide sopped up lots of engine power, and automatic-equipped cars took off at a decidedly leisurely pace, slowed further by an EconoMISER rear-axle ratio. On the other hand, they ran quieter, avoiding the annoying tappet clatter that Chevrolet owners endured for years. Manual-shift cars kept the smaller solid-lifter engine, boosted from 90 to 92 horsepower.

The 1950 Chevrolet Styleline DeLuxe convertible sold as well as the 1949 model.

1950 Chevrolet Special and Deluxe Facts

For more picture-packed articles about Chevys and other great cars, see:

• Classic Cars: Learn about more than 400 of the world's finest classic and collectible automobiles.
• Muscle Cars: Look back at tire-smoking Chevys and scores of other machines from the golden age of American high performance.
• Sports Cars: Discover the pleasure of sports motoring at its purest in these captivating articles on the best sports cars from around the world.
• Consumer Guide Automotive: Here's your source for news, reviews, prices, fuel-economy and safety information on today's cars, minivans, SUVs, and pickups.
• Consumer Guide Used Car Search: In the market for a used Chevy or virtually any other pre-owned vehicle? Check out these reports, which include safety recalls and trouble spots.
• How Chevrolet Works: Get the inside story of one of America’s greatest automotive marques in this lavishly illustrated history of Chevrolet, beginning with its founding in 1911.