LOT 218

1931 Chevrolet Five-Window Rumble Seat Coupe Engine no. 22602207

Sold for US$13,440 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 218

1931 Chevrolet Five-Window Rumble Seat Coupe

The Scottsdale Auction|27 January 2023, 10:00 MST|Scottsdale, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

1931 Chevrolet Five-Window Rumble Seat Coupe
Engine no. 22602207

194ci OHV Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Single Carburetor
50bhp at 2,600rpm
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Front and Rear Leaf Spring Suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Formerly from the Heritage Museums & Gardens Automobile Collection
*Handsome example of the Ford-beating Chevrolet Six
*A piece of early bowtie brand history
*Equipped with many optional extras
*A rumble-seat model with room for four

THE CHEVROLET SIX

By the early 1920s Chevrolet had abandoned its attempt to compete head-on with Ford's Model T - Ford was able to drop its prices annually whereas Chevrolets steadily rose - and re-positioned itself as a middle-market manufacturer whose products possessed a degree of refinement lacking in the Model T. The highly popular six-cylinder Chevrolets of the 1930's helped consolidate the company's position as Ford's chief rival, but until then its mainstay had been four-cylinder cars.

Chevrolet introduced its new range powered by the famous 194ci (3.2-liter) Stovebolt overhead-valve six in 1929, the cast iron wonder being enthusiastically marketed as "a Six for the price of a Four". Styled by Harley Earl at General Motors Art & Color department, the new line was known as the International in its first year, subsequently becoming the Universal and then the Independence in 1931.

Features of this year's model were a higher, larger radiator; afore this was a bowed tie bar carrying the headlights; while aft its hood had now gained vertical louvers on the raised side panels. Looking to the future, wire wheels were now standard.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This handsome rumble-seat coupe carries a number of the options offered on these cars, including dual side mounts with covers, front and rear bumpers, pedestal mirrors and a luggage rack. The car has been enjoying its current ownership in the beautiful weather of Arizona. Its prior ownership was the Heritage Auto Museum Collection when it joined in 2003, and prior to this had been the property of Donald Sullivan of Ann Arbor, Michigan. According to Mr. Sullivan, for many years it had previously been in the W.A. Smith Museum in nearby Flint, Michigan.

Offered with a period handbook, the car is understood to have received its restoration in the 1950s and during that time had its appearance generally enhanced with Sports Roadster wheels and some trim pieces. For an older restoration, the Chevrolet presents beautifully, and was running well at the time of cataloging. Surely a wonderful opportunity to obtain a fine piece of American history.

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