youtube-my28chev: Chevs 1911 to 1949

Its 1911, and William C. Durant asks Louis Chevrolet, a distinguished race car driver to help in designing a new car.

Chevrolet had ambitions of building his own car, and since the name Chevrolet was well established in motor car racing Durant felt he was just the man to get the job done. By sponsoring Chevrolet in building his own car complete with a "Chevrolet" nameplate, Durant quickly got the research and development finished on a new automobile, a fast race about, although more importantly it promoted the name of "Chevrolet".

Louis Chevrolet

William C. Durant

Louis Chevrolet employed Etienne Planche an engineer from France to assist him, Chevrolet had known Planche from his days in Brooklyn with the Walter, Planche had also designed and engineered the Roebling-Planche (precursor to the Mercer). Also assisting them was a mechanic and machinist named Henry Winterholf whom Louis Chevrolet had met while he was working with the Racing Team at Buick.

In March 13, 1911, in Detroit Michigan, Louis Chevrolet rented the second floor over D.M. Schulte and Sons Garage located on Grand River Ave. to begin the design of his first Chevrolet automobile. Suspicions were that Durant funded the operation, employing Louis Chevrolet as a independent contractor. There have never been any documentation found in any Michigan records showing any such company being founded up by either Durant or Chevrolet. The Flint Daily Journal leaked some news on May 30, 1911 of the upcoming Chevrolet automobile by Durant. The following day, on May 31, the Flint Daily Journals headline stated "Little Is Manager" and announced that Bill Little was going to be in charge of Chevrolet operations. it was Bill Little who was the former Buick plant manager and not only did he understand how important it was to build low, medium price, and high end automobiles, but exactly how go about it. Flint Michigan's businessmen along with the Flint board of commerce sought after the Durant Chevrolet Company to locate in their town, and not in Detroit according to an article in the Flint Daily Journal June 2, 1911. Durant along with banker A.G. Bishop agreed to locate a factory within Flint along with a partnership with A.C. Mason to build the engines to install in the Chevrolet company in the future during the first part of August.

A lease for 2 years was negotiated July 15, 1911. Subsequently Little moved the operations into the former building of the Corcoran Light Co. he had leased which was located on West Grand Blvd in the City of Detroit. The Flint Daily Journal of July 15, 1911 heading read: "Chevrolet Company. to Start Up In Detroit - Secures a Lease on Temporary Basis". The journal quoted Bill Little as saying: "I am organizing this new company while Mr. Durant is helping me all the way. Researchers have yet to find any formal kind of documentation that a Chevrolet Motor Car Company ever legally existed in Michigan commerce records and no proof of Mr. Little conducting business using a DBA as The Chevrolet Motor Car Company or any similar name. Among the names listed on the company payroll were those of Louis Chevrolet, Henry Winterholf and Etienne Planche .

Early Chevrolet Factory in Flint Michigan

1911 Experimental Chevrolet

1912 Chevrolet

1913 Chevrolet

1914 Chevrolet

1915 Chevrolet

1916 Chevrolet 490 Touring

1917 Chevrolet Model D V-8 - Notice the larger cowell and smaller headlights

1918 Chevrolet

1919 Chevrolet

1920 Chevrolet

1921 Chevrolet

1922 Chevrolet

1923 Chevrolet Roadster

1924 Chevrolet Superior

1925 Chevrolet Series K Touring

1927 Chevrolet

The 1929 Chevrolet had a 3 speed manual transmission and a 171 c.i.d., 35hp, 4 cylinder engine. The interior photo below shows that instrumentation was pretty sparse. Steel disk wheels were standard equipment, front and rear bumpers were options.

1928 Chevrolet Tourer

1930 Chevrolet Coupe - In 1930 Chevrolet offered a new model called the Special, pictured here, which included wire wheels.

1931 Chevrolet Coupe - It shared the same motor as other 1931 Chevrolet models, a 194 cubic inch inline six cylinder that produced 50 horsepower. Front and rear bumpers were options.

1932 Chevrolet Sedan - This 1932 Chevy five passenger sedan has the optional bumpers and side mount spare tire. The chromed vent doors on the side of the hood were a feature of the Deluxe models. Power came from a 194 cubic inch inline six cylinder that produced 60 horsepower. That was an increase of 10 horsepower from the 1931.

1933 Chevrolet Master Eagle 3-window sports rumbleseat coupe - It was powered by an overhead valve straight 6 cylinder motor and a 3 speed manual transmission

1934 Chevrolet Sedan

1935 Chevrolet Suburban - These share the front sheet metal and frames of the 1/2 ton pickup models of the same year, but featured all-metal wagon bodies differing very little in shape from contemporary "woodie" wagons. Seating for up to eight occupants was provided, with three in front row, two in the middle row, and three in the rear row. Either rear panel doors or a rear tailgate/lift window were provided for easy loading and unloading of luggage.

1936 Chevrolet 4 door touring sedan

1937 Chevrolet Master DeLuxe 4 door sedan - The 1937 Chevrolet had a 216.5 cubic inch inline six cylinder engine that developed 85 horsepower. A radio, clock, and heater, were some of the available options.

1938 Chevrolet Master Convertible - The 1938 Chevrolet got a restyled grille. The vents along the sides of the hood were also restyled.

1939 Chevrolet Deluxe 4 door sedan In 1939 the Master Deluxe was the top of the line at Chevrolet. The two door Town Sedan was a top seller. A steering column mounted shift lever was option, a floor mount shift lever was standard equipment.

1940 Chevrolet Master Business Coupe - All 1940 Chevrolet coupes and sedans rode on a 113 inch wheelbase. This coupe has the optional dual windshield wipers

1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Business Coupe - The Special Deluxe was the top of the line Chevy in 1941. This business coup is loaded with the optional bumper guards, bumper wing guards, wheel trim rings, and white wall tires.