Alas, on the 6th of April, 2004, the old Chevy went home with it's new owner.

It's been a good run - over 27 years and over 200,000 miles.  

So long, old friend!

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The  Perkins Diesel Powered 1950 Chevrolet

The Diesel powered “Nerdmobile”

Turbocharged Perkins 4.154 Diesel engine in the Nerdmobile

 The Car:

• 1950 Chevrolet “Fastback”.
• The engine is a Perkins 4.154 Diesel.  Turbocharged.
• 12 Volt electrics throughout.
• Custom designed transmission adapter.
• Perkins flywheel trimmed and drilled for ’50 Chevrolet pressure plate.
• ’50 Chevrolet pilot bearing, throwout bearing and throwout bearing arm used.
• ’55 Chevrolet Overdrive transmission.  Column shifter retained.
• ’55 Chevrolet rear axle.  3.54 ratio.
• Front brakes are 1951 Lockheed-type (upgraded from the original Bendix brakes)
• Rear brakes are ’55 Chevrolet.
• Custom made drive shaft.
• Fuel mileage at 55 MPH = 40+.  Fuel mileage at 65-70 MPH = 35+
• Brakes last over 100K miles, tires last over 60K miles.
• Original front end is in good condition and the car handles well.
• Total mileage on car = 300K+.  Total mileage on Perkins engine = 200K.
• Electric windshield wipers.
• Stewart Warner Oil Pressure, Oil Temperature and Water Temperature gauges. 
• Turbo boost gauge.
• Tachometer.
• AM-FM Radio.

Since I built the car in 1978, it has been driven virtually every day and has been all over the lower 48 and western Canada.  It is reliable and comfortable to drive. 

Although it needs a lot of bodywork because of rust, the chassis is mechanically in very good condition and needs nothing.  The car starts easily in 40+ degree weather and, using the Perkins cold-start option, it will start down to about 20 degrees.  Using the block heater and the Perkins "ThermoStart", it can usually be started down to zero degrees.