1929 Chevrolet AC Series Sport Cabriolet.
After a little digging around, it seemed likely that the car in this photograph was a pre-1930 Chevrolet. Stuchamp, a long-term forum regular, confirmed this, and further identified it as a 1929 Chevrolet International Sport Cabriolet (AC Series) - one of ten different body styles that were available on this chassis for the 1929 season, all powered by a 196 cubic inch straight-six OHV engine that would become known as the "Stovebolt Six". The AC replaced the previous year's National range.
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Although the picture is over-exposed thanks to the sun reflecting on the sand in this beach scene, the car itself has come out well. The imaginative use of contrasting paint colours, on the body and on the disc wheels, is clearly shown, as are the chrome dumb-irons fitted to the Cabriolet's roof.
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Advertising the AC Series.
Contemporary advertising lists the following benefits as being available to anyone who opted to buy a Chevrolet in 1929:
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- Fisher No Draft Ventilation Elimination of annoying and dangerous drafts
- Fisher Bodies Steel plus Hardwood - the strongest body construction known today
- The Starterator Eliminates the old-fashioned starter button
- Octane Selector Permits you to use any gasoline without annoying engine knocks
- Cushion-Balanced Engine Mounting Completely blocks out engine sensation
- Proved Valve-In-Head Six-Cylinder Engine The most efficient type of engine - the type that has established world records in the motor car, airplane and speedboat fields
- Syncro-Mesh Gear Gives you high speed quietness in second gear
- Simplified Free Wheeling Gives you the thrill of free wheeling in its newest and most simplified form
- Stabilized Front End Design Prevents movement and weaving of hood, radiator and fenders
- Vacuum Automatic Spark Control Automatically sets the spark at the correct point for all load or speed conditions
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In the UK market, this model (priced at 260 GBP) was referred to as the 26.3HP "Convertible Coupe (with double dickey)", dickey being the seat set into the hinged rear panel, that in its native US market would simply be referred to as the "rumble seat". UK-market brochures described the coupe/cabriolet version of the car as follows:
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"This handsome model is built on sporting lines and finished in a striking shade of light blue.
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"The head and door pillars are collapsible, so that in a few moments it can be converted from a snug, intimate closed model to a
completely open car.
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"The front seat affords ample leg-room. It is deeply sprung and finished in black leather cloth. The full-sized double dickey
seat is deeply sprung and has well padded back rests. It is deep and comfortable and affords maximum protection.
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"Appointments include: adjustable windscreen and windows, broad shelf behind the driver's seat, door locks, windscreen wiper,
rear vision mirror and many other refinements. Steel disc wheels are fitted, the spare wheel being carried at the rear. A
combination stop and tail lamp, together with a petrol gauge, are fitted.
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Visit page 17 in the vintage gallery, or return to the gallery's main index page.
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