In the first few decades of the 20th century steel production was still something of a black art. This is part of the reason why today we see some cars from the first half of the 1900s that have survived extremely well, while others have crumbled before our eyes. This 1930 Chevrolet Coupe is a car that has not only survived the ravages of the last 88 years, but looks set to fight on for at least 88 more. For sale here on Craigslist and located in Redding, California, this grand old lady comes with a clean title and a sale price of $8,500. There is also the opportunity to barter with the seller for a pre-1916 vehicle. I’d like to thank our Barn Finds reader Michael who spotted this feature vehicle for us.
This Chevy is one tough old bird. This car was made in Oakland, Ca. and purchased new by the original owner in Susanville, Ca. He drove it home to the Surprise Valley area were he worked as a ranch hand. The car was last registered in 1966 when it went into storage for the first extended time. A new owner removed it from storage in 1985, straightened the rear fenders and then promptly stored it away in a windowless barn until the current owner purchased it. Looking at the steel on this car shows it to be in remarkably sound condition. There are a few dings to be attended to, but the car appears to be extremely solid and straight for its age. No mention is made of the condition of the frame, but given how positive everything else has been so far, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it’s also in first-rate condition.
Under the hood is the 192ci “Stovebolt” 6. So, does it run? You bet your life it does! The current owner has begun the mechanical restoration and not only does it run, but it drives as well. The owner has overhauled the fuel system, replaced the tires and tubes, fitted new brake shoes and a radiator. He claims that it starts right up, and oil leaks and burning are both minimal.
The interior is in need of some work. Exactly how much work will depend on your plans for this car. Honestly, if you look through the pictures included with the ad you will see that the headliner is not pristine, but it is serviceable as it is. If you were planning on keeping this car as a time capsule then all that I would do is throw a blanket over the seat. One positive is that everything in the car works. All the gauges operate as they should and all of the glass is intact and in good order.
So now that you’ve bought it, what are your plans? Is this beautiful old Chevrolet destined for a full restoration, or is it going to be preserved largely “as is” as a time capsule. For me I love the look of an immaculately restored car that has been returned to its former glory. However, in this case I think that I’d be very tempted to preserve this as it stands and let it age gracefully. After all, it’s done that rather well for the last 88 years.
New interior to make it a nicer place to be, give the outside a coat of wax or linseed oil to protect it, and drive as is.
This is a refreshing reminder that not all private party old car advertisers are clueless. Very good description to give any legitimate potential buyer enough interest to pursue further, and a not crazy price…………..what a combo. And, he took the efforts to get it running to increase his odds of selling.
One important consideration, among the rest, on this vintage Chevrolet is the condition of the body inner structure……………..it’s all wood.
The price listed in the ad was just dropped to $7,850. I’m on the wrong coast!!!! :-(
Awwwweeeee, anybody can restore one, takes a real man to cut one up!
I smell….HOTROD!
Please don’t bid on this car!
I’m very interested in this car, but there is no phone # in listing and C.L. won’t allow E- mail contact for some reason. HELP. Dave.
Is this the email link you get? dk7sn-6659910279@sale.craigslist.org
If it doesn’t work as a link from the ad, try copy and paste manually.
I would love to own this car and invest my time and money into it. To bring it back to its original condition and new car- look.You know its one thing to look at something 100+ years old showing its age….. its another thing to behold something 100+ years old and see it when it when it was first completed.Like going back in time to sneak a peek of the past.
So this car “ was bought new by the original owner “. Really, who else could have bought it new?
Well said Wayne!
I want to drive it cross country and let the adventure begin! Tools in hand for obvious reasons. Along with camera to document the drive back to the Midwest.
Body looks good…so not thinking that wood’s that bad. Pretty much a steal compared to the 32 Ford’s.
The earliest hot rods were not modified at all, they just had parts removed to make them lighter. I might be tempted to do something like that with this. I would remove the fenders (all four) along with the running boards and splash guards, remove the side mounted spares and brackets, remove the bumpers front and rear, and remove the headlights along with the headlight bar but remount the lights down low on a pair of those aluminum posts the Warshawsky Company (later JC Whitney) used to sell. Of course all of the removed parts should be carefully packed up and stored away for possible future replacement. Leave everything else just as it is, wheels, suspension, drive train, brakes, paint, interior, etc.
In the very earliest days of hot rodding, this would have been the first step taken by the kid who had just inherited his Gran-pa’s old coupe and I think it would be fun to re-create that long ago forgotten period in history while doing no damage to the car.