7th Apr, 2004 0:00
The Pavilion Gardens
1916 Chevrolet 490 Tourer
Estimated at £12,000 - £14,000
Lot details
Registration No: SV 9455
Chassis No: A55033
Mot Expiry: Oct 2012
The Chevrolet Motor Car Company was founded in 1911 by racing driver and automotive engineer Louis Chevrolet and the ousted founder of General Motors (GM), William Durant. However, the pair couldn't agree on which direction to take the company, and by 1915 had parted company, leaving Durant at the helm. He duly seized the opportunity to attack the pre-eminence of Ford's already iconic Model T head on. His chosen weapon was the Chevrolet 490, which took its name from the launch price of $490. And, though the company was predictably unable to hold the price that low for very long, it remained competitive enough to not only steal a worthwhile slice of the model T's market and vault Chevrolet up the league of American manufacturers, but allow Durant to regain a controlling interest in GM; into which he folded Chevrolet in 1917. A total of nearly 800,000 490s were produced during its seven year reign. The 490 was arguably the first production car to be powered by an overhead valve engine - a four-cylinder unit of 2.8-litres (171ci). Like its price, its engine output was designed to match that of the Model T - 20hp. The unit drove through a three-speed gearbox with cone clutch. Over time, the newcomer was available as a Two-Door Roaster, Four-Door Tourer or Chassis Cowl Truck. Whatever your choice, your 490, like its rival Ford, was initially available in any colour you wanted, as long as it was Black!
The delightful-looking right-hand drive 490 Four-Door Tourer being offered was reportedly among those built in Canada for export to the colonies. An early example that was first registered in South Africa on January 7th 1916, it would thus seem to be potentially eligible for assorted Veteran Car Club events. The vendor imported the Chevrolet to the UK - in 2002 - and informs us that it is equipped with the optional electrical kit, which includes the lamps. Restored over time, the 490 is now considered by the seller to have "good" bodywork, paintwork, engine and gearbox. It is finished in Bright Blue over Black, sports a Black interior and Beige hood, and rides on artillery wheels. It is MOT'd and taxed into October, and ready to be driven home from the sale.
Registration No: SV 9455
Chassis No: A55033
Mot Expiry: Oct 2012
The Chevrolet Motor Car Company was founded in 1911 by racing driver and automotive engineer Louis Chevrolet and the ousted founder of General Motors (GM), William Durant. However, the pair couldn't agree on which direction to take the company, and by 1915 had parted company, leaving Durant at the helm. He duly seized the opportunity to attack the pre-eminence of Ford's already iconic Model T head on. His chosen weapon was the Chevrolet 490, which took its name from the launch price of $490. And, though the company was predictably unable to hold the price that low for very long, it remained competitive enough to not only steal a worthwhile slice of the model T's market and vault Chevrolet up the league of American manufacturers, but allow Durant to regain a controlling interest in GM; into which he folded Chevrolet in 1917. A total of nearly 800,000 490s were produced during its seven year reign. The 490 was arguably the first production car to be powered by an overhead valve engine - a four-cylinder unit of 2.8-litres (171ci). Like its price, its engine output was designed to match that of the Model T - 20hp. The unit drove through a three-speed gearbox with cone clutch. Over time, the newcomer was available as a Two-Door Roaster, Four-Door Tourer or Chassis Cowl Truck. Whatever your choice, your 490, like its rival Ford, was initially available in any colour you wanted, as long as it was Black!
The delightful-looking right-hand drive 490 Four-Door Tourer being offered was reportedly among those built in Canada for export to the colonies. An early example that was first registered in South Africa on January 7th 1916, it would thus seem to be potentially eligible for assorted Veteran Car Club events. The vendor imported the Chevrolet to the UK - in 2002 - and informs us that it is equipped with the optional electrical kit, which includes the lamps. Restored over time, the 490 is now considered by the seller to have "good" bodywork, paintwork, engine and gearbox. It is finished in Bright Blue over Black, sports a Black interior and Beige hood, and rides on artillery wheels. It is MOT'd and taxed into October, and ready to be driven home from the sale.
Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 7th Apr, 2004
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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