The second I saw this ’35 Chevrolet Master Deluxe sedan, I wanted to find a double-breasted, pinstripe suit; grab a violin case for a Tommy Gun and head to some remote bank in Oklahoma. This Chevy just oozes the perfect Bonnie & Clyde persona and its originality really enforces the image. Located in Fort Washington, Maryland and available here on eBay, this depression-era sedan is available for a current bid of $7,500, 26 bids tendered as of this writing.
It doesn’t seem like that long ago that an 85-year-old car had a tiller and wagon wheels. Well, this 85-year-old car is quite a bit beyond that; time marches on as the saying goes. And in 85 years, this Chevy has experienced only 52K miles; it has had a Rip Van Winkle style nap while secured safely away somewhere. The seller states that this Chevy is original in almost every way, including its paint. The body on this sedan is incredibly sound; I have reviewed quite a few ’30s vintage cars as of late and this example has the soundest body of them all. The running boards, in particular, are a place where destructive rust can be frequently found but there is no sign of any corrosion on either of them. It would be beneficial to get a glimpse of the underside of this sedan just to glance at the floors and frame – probably not an issue on this car but a worthwhile effort nevertheless. Of particular note is the beautiful grille, the seller indicates that it’s a replacement – it really sets this Chevy off!
I was a bit chuffed at first seeing no door handles but I guess the seller had them removed for re-chroming; odd that there is no reference to that even though there are separate images of the hardware displayed. Whatever the case, it’s good to know that they are present and included; using a screwdriver to get in and out of your car gets old after awhile. The attached chrome, such as the bumpers and headlight pods, appear to still have a brilliant finish.
The interior is another matter – it looks more like its age. The interior fabric and windlace are stained and frayed – looks like water damage perhaps, or maybe it’s just age. Those snappy plaid seat covers are probably covering up something but reupholstering is minor in the scheme of things, especially when compared to undertaking metalwork. In keeping with Chevrolet and its GM hierarchy, the instrument panel is rather austere, just the basics. The seller does state that all of the gauges and the odometer work properly – good to know.
Chevrolet power in this Master Deluxe is courtesy of a 207 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine good for 80 HP. Recent service includes a cleaned oil pan, flushed cooling system, oil change, new belts, exhaust system and hoses. The seller adds, “the motor, transmission, driveshaft and rear all work and sound good.” He even goes as far as to suggest that with some new tires, this sedan would be a good daily driver. Hopefully, the missing air cleaner is included in the sale. The only note that really caught my attention is, “The old original mechanical brake system is also working properly and stops the car on a dime.” I had no idea that a ’35 vintage car still used mechanical brakes. While it may stop on a dime, for now, I would want to thoroughly inspect that mechanical system.
The seller suggests that this Chevy could be restored, or just cleaned and enjoyed as is. I would vote for option two, this example is so original and clean I would want to keep it as close to original as possible; perhaps place some focus on cleaning up the interior a bit. So, what’s your vote, which way would you go with this ’35 Chevrolet Master Deluxe sedan?
This car really screams Chicago gangster.
A real gangster wouldn’t have driven a stinking Chevy. A Buick maybe.
No car with mechanical brakes stops on anything less than a half dollar. That being said, this looks like a solid old car and so far the price is right. Clyde wouldn’t be caught dead in it though, he was a Ford man.
Not to mention he WAS caught dead in a Ford, in 1934.
The problem with mechanical brakes regarding the stopping power is not the mechanical brakes. If you know what you are doing they can be effective. The problem with mechanical brakes is the drums and the pads.
problem with mechanical brakes is owners who do not keep them up as they must be kept.
otherwise they are GREAT and less complicated than juice…..
Jim, the first thing that caught my eye on this car, the grill. Beautiful.
Let’s face it you Chevy guys. A 1935 Chevy couldn’t hold a candle to a ’35 Ford of any description, in the looks department. This one looks like it’s an antique even when it was new.
A new subject for my portrait business. I really like this car a lot,
but not enough to buy t now–especially when I see the bottom
dropping out of the economy very soon. You’d be better off to
hold on to your cash just in case you get laid off from your job.
But, so long as I have pictures like these, I can dream about it.
A car that will stop on a dime has got to be smaller than the dime.
Or be on a really really big dime.
What my Pappy told me anyway. Neat 35 chevy that would go good with my driveway.
Better get to that Oklahoma bank quickly. On second thought, though, you might have better luck robbing a bank than buying toilet paper.
An aunt of mine had a ’36 Master Deluxe, basically the same car, plus a bustle back trunk. Fisher body, crank out vent windows, front and rear, mohair upholstery. To start it, you pulled out the choke, and the hand throttle, depressed the clutch, put it in neutral, turned on the ignition key, and then pressed the starter button, being sure the parking brake was on. Now, all I do is press the start button on my remote entry fob. But it ran well, at modest speeds, like under 55 mph, and lasted until 1954 when the tin worm finally got it.
My first car was a 35 Chevy Standard 4 door sedan. I bought it in 1960 for $35 not running. I was 13 at the time and had no mechanical knowledge. It sat on my dads farm not running until 74 when I moved it into storage because my dad sold the farm and retired in Hawaii. About 5 years later I gave it to my stepson who acquired a new title and hauled it to Everett, Washington from Redding, California. I don’t know what happened after that, since I was soon divorced from his mother.
Mechanical brakes worked okay as long as they were maintained constantly. Ofcourse a fence post or Oak tree could be used at slow speeds without doing damage to the spring steel bumpers.
God bless America
As a 12 year old, with a dad who often bought cars at the police auction for a dollar, I soon became car crazy.
With this here Chevy I would drill 2 more 1.5 inch holes into that manifold and mount another 2 carbs.
That would wake up those 85 horses.
Beautiful lines. It is up to $8100. A decent price for a nice old beauty.
That is a great find. The interior is so cool. Amazing shape with the paint. The only thing I don’t know is if I’d update the brakes for safety sake.