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1931 Chevrolet

Special

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Body Color
Maroon
Stock
3187
Engine Size
194 Cu. In.
Transmission Type
3 Speed Manual
Vin
12AE18118
Miles
63,756
Drivetrain
RWD

1931 Chevrolet Special

1931 Chevrolet Special

For this year 1931, and with this car known as the Independence, Chevrolet surpassed Ford in sales producing their 8 millionth car off the assembly line. This was due to an increase in the engine size by 2 cylinders now an inline 6. A composite body construction meaning that it utilizes wood and steel as opposed to Ford's all steel bodies, and beautiful design also helped to eclipse the blue oval for the bowtie company.

For consignment, a driver in the restored form of a 1931 Chevrolet Independence Special. I say driver because this car has literally has been driven to a Chevrolet show in Tennessee, A 6 day drive back and forth with 4 days to travel Nova Scotia, Cape May New Jersey every summer for many years, and a jaunt to Chincoteague Island, Virginia. All these trips experienced no breakdowns and only a single flat tire.

Exterior
Not unlike more expensive rivals, this car is constructed of hardwood framing all wrapped in steel. Interestingly this would be the Achilles heel for Chevrolet and this year due to the fact more Fords than these survived. So, what we have is somewhat rare and all in very nice condition. The 1931 Independence Series AE's took on a more graceful appearance than their upright forebears, an improvement made possible by the two-inch-longer wheelbase, (now 109 inches), that allowed fine proportions; their bodies rode on a stronger channel-section frame with four crossmembers. A chromed taller radiator sports a protective stone guard grille. Chromed headlamps sit on a matching chromed bar over a vibration horn. Body by Fisher, this cowled hood with a VV (vision ventilation) windscreen that cranks down into the header, and is bathed in maroon paint with black roofline, and running boards. Some slight areas of rust bubbling can be noted on the doors. Seen on the running boards are covered spare tires nestled into the front fenders, and scissor mounted picnic basket holder for the running boards. This nicely curved version also has a trunk on back which is flanked by taillights that are mounted on stalks. The trunk has some water damage to its bottom edges. Black wire wheels wrapped in wide white sidewall rubber is on all 4 corners and the 2 spares which wear their protective covers sit atop the fenders.

Interior
A swing of any one of the 4 doors reveals some camel mohair door panels. These are in mostly good condition, with just a few areas of wear and light staining. An overstuffed front bench with some tufting and buttons, also in camel mohair, is showing some wear, particularly on the driver's side. Another bench is in the back, which is mohair and much less worn. More mohair for the headliner and pillar liners and a roll shade is across the back window top. Brown carpeting is on the floors, and upfront a simple black/maroon steel dash has a central panel with machined swirl aluminum and original gauges set within this panel. Black rubber carpeting is covering the floors upfront, and a long stem marble topped with a ball shifter reaches for the driver.

Drivetrain
Under the cowls is a 194ci OHV straight 6-cylinder engine in nicely preserved condition is seen. It is topped with a 1bbl and makes 50hp. Both the OHV design and the horsepower rating were both ahead of Ford in both technology and horsepower. A 3-speed manual transmission is on back and a rear axle weighing in at a 4.10 ratio brings up the tail.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust, and patina can be seen throughout, however the framing, floor pans, and body hangers are all nice and solid. 11 inch mechanical drum brakes are on all 4 corners, and leaf springs are all here too. A single exhaust system takes spent fossils to the rear of the car and shows in good condition.

Drive-Ability
A nicely preserved solid car welcomed us to the test track. Here it performed very nicely, shifted smoothly, and all was in working condition at the time of my test drive.

A nicely restored antique that you don't have to be afraid to drive to any place your heart desires. But first you have to drive and visit the Classic Auto Mall so you can sink into the soft mohair and see this beauty in person.

VIN DECODE
12AE18118
12-Buffalo, NY Assy Plant
AE-Independence
18118-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.