With over 1.3 million cars sold in 1929, Chevy’s International AC series was a big seller. It didn’t beat Ford’s Model A, however, which had almost two million in sales despite one of the roughest economic years in U.S. history. The seller has this 1929 Chevrolet Series AC International Coach five-passenger two-door sedan posted here on craigslist south of Kearney, Nebraska and they’re asking $7,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
Chevrolet’s AC-Series International for 1929 replaced the (are you ready?) AB-Series from the previous year. This line of cars included a whopping 10 body styles and models and the big thing for restorers would be whether the hardwood framework is still in nice condition. Chevy customers would have to think about that until 1936. Our own Jim-O showed us a similar car here on Barn Finds about three years ago.
We don’t see the driver’s side of this car, but the seller has shown a good portion of the interior other than not showing the front seat at all. The gauge cluster would be fun to restore as well as the seats and other fabric portions of the interior. I’d leave it as it looks now, just doing an “oily rag” restoration to keep it as original as possible. Some parts can be tough to source due to the effects of the Great Depression and subsequent World War, but hopefully this is a complete car.
Here’s where I always scratch my head, wondering how so many stains could have been allowed to grow on this once beautiful interior. A leaky roof? Maybe being parked outside? We don’t know, and the seller says that this car is in its original condition and it has always been stored inside. It was last used about five years ago and the tires (which would have been 20″) are a decade old but appear to hold air fine. Plan on new tires, and cleaning the entire fuel system before doing anything else on this cool two-door sedan.
This was Chevy’s shot across Ford’s bow, offering a six-cylinder for about the price of a four-cylinder. It’s a Chevrolet 194-cu.in. (3.2-liter) OHV inline-six, which had 46 horsepower. That doesn’t sound like much but it’s twice the power of just two years earlier. Over 367,000 buyers nabbed the two-door Coach model and this appears to be a nice example. As a general reference, Hagerty is at $5,700 for a #4 fair car and $14,700 for a #3 good car. How much is this one worth?
Well…nobody leaving comments on this car just shows where the market is anymore…Today’s buyers don’t want late ’20s cars..nor do they have any interest in the cars of the ’30s and ’40s..They even Omit ’50s cars…They want the late ‘6Os cars (muscle)…So us old-timers have the fortunate offerings of these cars without being outbid for the vehicle ..I like the car as I own a ’28 Oldsmobile F28 2 door sedan…
I find the pre-WW2 cars very interesting in their simplicity, style and craftsmanship. My issue is driveability. This car is something I would like to tackle as a project, but when it’s complete, I still have a car that’s not really highway capable. I can’t afford financially to store, insure and maintain a couple of weekenders. Likewise, a dream vehicle for me is a Model A convertible pickup, but once it’s done it’s an apple picking truck, not something for a work commute. It’s a shame, it keeps the values low on these vehicles, but ultimately will lead to this part of the hobby dying out. Meanwhile the ‘Cuda parts car listed today will be fully restored.
I’ve owned several cars that were not highway cruisers. Unless you are doing 30mph, you can stay in the right lane when you should need to travel on a highway. But mostly, I stick to secondary roads. I believe some Model A’s had over drive transmissions (an aftermarket thing? I don’t know) which gets them moving along nicely with the faster traffic. Not 70mph but I don’t think you’d want to do that in one of those. Collector car insurance is pretty cheap. I hope you don’t give up your dream of a Model A pickup. Most later 30’s cars could easily be daily drivers if you don’t mind them losing their value from daily usage. I personally don’t care for muscle cars and those big Detroit steels machines of the 70’s drink gas like thirsty camels.
I agree with Jim in FL, it is too expensive to keep some toys, thus my 1960 Mk2 Zephyr stays in the shed whilst I enjoy my other hobby, gardening; it’s not quite as expensive and costs are more evenly spread out!
However, as to reliability of pre WW2 vehicles, dad’s 1936 Buick was a pearler! No reliability problems. In 1954/55 we went on a 1,400 mile holiday, 5 kids, 2 adults, 1 trailer, tent, pots and pans, +++. One of my most memorable experiences, especially with mum’s addiction to cups of tea breaks when we kids had a great opportunity to watch and wave to the interstate semi-trailers.
Good old days?
Jim if you are searching for an A model i can point you in
the right direction for one that could be picked up for a fare sum. If interested get in touch with me.
Tom Harris
One quibble (if I may) on the description narrative: 1929 was a GOOD economic year, for most of it. The Market began to wobble later in the year, and by the time of the crash, the 1930 cars were coming out. The Great Depression did not settle-in and ruin the economy completely until well into 1930. So, if 1929 sales were adversely affected, it was only slightly — and luxury marques suffered first. Since personal cars were considered a necessity by the mid-1920s, those who once had driven Packards and Pierce Arrows and Peerlesses and Cadillacs, would still buy a Ford or Chevrolet or Plymouth — until the bottom dropped out and they had to patch together whatever they had and try to make do with it. One of my great aunts still drove a Detroit Electric, and I’ve often wondered ehatecer became of it when she died in 1944. I vividly remember the tall, coach-like look of it, unlike anything else on the road! I like 1920s cars, because the roads carried a lot of them, still, when I was a child. But it would b e impractical for me to putter with one now.
You are correct, sir, I should have clarified that. Late October does not a whole year make!
It might be a good candidate for restification – a newer six cylinder engine, newer brakes, electric winshield wipers…..
I have numerous 50s through 80s cars but have never had a pre war unit. given the market, I am considering purchasing one. Someone has to care for them. I can imagine the comments if it was parked next to my Hyabusa.
I think this is realistically a $2500 car at most
Chris: GO for it! Does it MATTER how anyone ELSE perceives what you park next to what? The HOBBY for late 1920s classics may have largely collapsed; but casual sidewalk observers will always respond more enthusiastically to that ’29, than to some late 1960s muscle-car. WHICH one do you think little children will point at and tug on their parents’ sleeves to turn and notice? I used to carry a pocketful of common-date Indian-Head Cents (“pennies”), saved since the 1940s, specifically to hand to young children, just to see the gaping look of astonishment at something so far out of their experience. Privilege of advanced age: Indian-Heads were commonly seen in pocket-change when I was their age. We “oldsters” cannot compete with their upward energy — but we still can “pull rank” on ’em, and watch them admire it! When I was a child, older relatives had Large Cents to show to my complete amazement.
Great speech HR!
I would like a 1930’s car to “resuscitate”, but I am penniless.
It is great to hear stories of yesterday and I am often amazed at what kids haven’t been taught.
How life can change in a generation!
Garry: Imagine what our elders, who regaled us with their vivid first-hand memories of the Civil War, knew, which they were astonished to find that we’d never learned! The more things change, the more they remain the same. The scary part is, our ignorant young will one day be a future generation’s sages!
Further thought: read a school-book for third-graders from the mid-19th century… then picture an eight-year-old of to-day being able to navigate and understand that 170-year-old everyday school-book of a former age. Children now are indoctrinated on WHAT to think, not inspired on HOW to think!
I had a similar 1932 coach. With the fabric top insert, just with age, those will leak like crazy in the rain, so if this car was parked outside just a little, that would explain the stains.
I can’t remember what year chevy my dad had, but he used to tell me he had to paint the roof with tar, to keep it from leaking. Also, the shifter would come out in his had, at times
There was a 44 Chevy same body style but 20 years newer sitting in a lot with a bunch on other old cars loved it & wanted it, they only wanted $500.00 back in the 70’s I was just a kid & didn’t have any money, as soon as I got a job & had the money I went & looked & it was gone ! It had new seats & ran when it was left there, as you can see in this one you had a mile of leg room in the back. They were beautiful cars.
GM cars of the period were wood framed with the steel body nailed to it. They didn’t get a full steel body until the mid 30’s. Most of these the wood rotted out and they were dismantled and turned into farm and wood’s vehicles. That’s one reason you see bunches of Ford who had a metal framework with wood used to attach the upholstery to, while surviving pre war GM stuff is few and far between. I would want a complete inspection before I gave too large a price for it.
At 7,500 I don’t think it’s worth the time & money. 5 maybe.
Look what 19,500 buys driving down the road.
https://www.vintagecarcollector.com/vehicles/2251/1929-chevrolet-sedan-coach
Sweet ride. Great price. Wish my situation were different. Would definitely jump on this one. Upgrade the drivetrain and suspension and drive this every day.
Bama, your caution is well taken! Happy New Year, everyone!
Listing update: the seller has taken down the ad so this one must have sold.