1916 Chevrolet 490 Open Tourer Pre Vintage Edwardian Veteran
(Featured on 18th December 2011)
Make: Chevrolet
Model: 490
Year: 1916
Registration: SV 9455
Sellers original description:
Magnificent genuine Edwardian touring car. This is a Chevrolet 490 first registered in South Africa on 1st January 1916 and imported by me to England in 2002 following her full restoration. The date of this car has been independently verified by the Society of Motoring Historians who have also issued her with a certificate of National Historical Importance to Britain. This car was built in Canada RHD as many of the colonial cars were because Canada did not convert to LHD untill the late 1920s. This car is one of the first of this model, which I believe was the first production car to have overhead valves. This, combined with a conventional three speed gearbox, makes this model much more powerful and much more drivable than the model T Ford of the time (I have owned and driven both). This car has magneto ignition and therefore starts easily on the handle and runs even with a flat battery. In 1916 these cars were supplied standard with acetylene lamps but this particular car was ordered with the optional electric kit of electric lamps, generator, starter and accumulator (battery). This car has just been fully serviced with new oil and the oil filter dismantled and cleaned, all lubrication points topped up, the water pump topped up with water pump grease and the leather clutch treated with neets foot oil as prescribed in the manual and handbook. The Manual and Handbook come with the car along with the original two matching ignition keys. Oil pressure is consistently high up the gauge and the car has never suffered from frost damage. This car comes with 11 months MOT and 11 months Tax and is ready to drive away (wear a big coat). Unfortunately the laws in this country do not allow me to take my 2 year old in this car as there are no belts for a baby seat and therefore she has had little use for the last two years which is why she is for sale. An English or European car of this era would start at £30,000. I am offering this Magnificent Edwardian car, ready to rally and suitable for VCC events at half of this cost. Only viewing will show the true magnificence of this vehicle.
Photos:
