Despite the Great Depression, Ford and Chevrolet still sold scads of cars from 1929 to 1932. Ford had been the king of the hill for some time, but styling and motor configuration miscalculations hurt the company just enough that Chevy was able to regain the sales crown in 1931. One of the cars that helped put Chevy over the top was the AE Independence. This beautiful car was the evolution of a Harley Earl design from the late 1920s. Updates included louvers on the hood sides, a chrome crossbar between the fenders, a taller radiator, a slightly longer wheelbase, and rubber engine mounts to dampen vibration. Options were plentiful, including dual side-mount spare tires, front and rear chrome bumpers, dual turn signals, and other niceties. The Independence line was offered in several body styles and manufactured at no less than twelve plants in the U.S. as well as several overseas. Here on craigslist is a stunning 1931 Chevrolet AE Independence Three-Window Sport Coupe for sale, with an asking price of $16,000. The car is located in Tyler, Minnesota. Thanks to T.J. for the tip!
A 194 cu. in. overhead valve in-line six-cylinder motor powered the Independence line, like the AD model cars before it. This later version was just slightly more powerful: paired with a single Carter carburetor, it made about 50 bhp. This horsepower rating bested Ford’s 201 cu. in. in-line four, with only 40 bhp. Furthermore, the Independence could scoot up to 85 mph, while the Model A was lollygagging along at 65. This car has its original engine but the seller doesn’t indicate if it’s running and driving.
The interior is in excellent condition, with barely any wear. A reminder that in these early days, a sun visor might well be optional equipment, and only offered for the driver. Likewise, windshield wipers were primitive and usually supplied just on the driver’s side. How far we’ve come in the way of comfort!
This example is loaded with options. The front of the car shows off the quail hood ornament, the chrome crossbar headlight-mount, dual horns, dual side-mount spares, chrome bumper, and wire wheels. The seller indicates that the navy body/black fender paint job is new, and the rear brakes were rebuilt. A quick check on prices shows this one to be quite reasonable, particularly for the Sport Coupe. If it runs as well as it looks, this could be your ticket to romping away from all those Model As in your neighborhood!
I guess rare, and in rare condition too. Wow!
There is so much to like about this car and especially considering it still retains its original engine. I had no idea these cars were capable of 85 MPH. I doubt if it will be on the market long at that price.
Looks like a ’31 with ’32 hood, rad and headlight bar….
exactly. I had a 31 5 window coupe. hood is definitely 32
Yes! And it’s not a quail! Fords came with a quail….the Chevys came with an Art Deco Eagle or a Viking styled lion/woman’s face!
Yes, it sure does. I have a 32 chevy 3w coupe and was confused at first.
My ’32 Chev Confederate Phaeton had the chrome engine vents and the front fenders had the small pointed arrowhead like pressing on the leading edge just like this car, so what makes people think that it’s a ’31 I would like to know.
Well for starters the ‘32 didn’t have an external visor like you see here and the A pillars were slanted back about 10 degrees. This car looks like everything forward of the cowl band is 1932. The ‘31 and ‘32 shared the same single bar bumpers like these but ‘31 did have a two bar bumper option. Hubcaps we’re the same but I imagine we’re looking at 19” wheels here vs 18” for 1932. From what we can see this car looks solid but it is a jumble of years.
Beautiful. If the wood is as good as the outer body looks it would be a steal
What is the piece at the back of the engine that is disconnected with the hose hanging above?
Beautiful car.
Engine block heater I think
Here’s an example of an old car that someone spent 40k you buy and drive for 16k
My first car was a 1932 Chevy roadster. In 1931 I drove it from Maine to Mississippi and back. I can tell you, from personal experience, that it’s top speed, on a good modern, level road, was about 70 mph; at which your own mortality became abundantly evident. The car did cruise comfortably at about 45 – 50 with acceleration, ride and handling much better than the Ford.
Fords came with the quail. That is the Art Deco styled Independence Eagle! The other optional radiator cap was the Viking styled lion and woman face. And as others have said 32 hood sides and light bar.
In my world THAT is the small block Chevrolet along with it younger brothers the 216 and 235 as opposed to the big block 292 ha .
That buggy would really scoot with an 150 horse fully lubricating 235 !
I would be pretty white knuckled to drive a model A ,65 mph unless I knew the brake rods were all well adjusted this one has the cables that makes em stop My family was always full of model A stories that fell a little short My daddy would always get a kick out of telling about one of his brothers had a right new 28 A and he and another brother came up behind him in a 27 T and passed him up and he never caught up to them Dont know if anyone else has noticed this but most families stayed pretty loyal to their bramd You pass a place and everything sitting in the barn and then that string behind the barn were always the same make Our family has been pretty loyal to General Motors My grandfather purchased his first motor truck in 1923 a cowl forward that he built his own body on ,,,50 years plus later everyone was still taking on about how that truck could haul as much cotton as four wagons or more if it was stomped down He bought it is the spring of 23 and it had paid for itself by autumn The machine subject of this study is a fine lookin piece of automobile flesh Id be proud to have in my herd A neighbor of mine just a few miles down the way had a 29 in the shed when he died Im trying to figure how to trade for it to see his knucklehead son dosent turn it into a hot rod
What a phenomenal find! The location may make for a tough sell, unless it is local.
Where, and how, did they install “dual turn signals”? Just curious, as I have never heard of that feature in that era.
@Russ Larson. Thanks for the update Russ.
I am a little confused about the year of this car. I am sure there is a reason, but I am not sure what it is. My first car was a 1932 Chevrolet 5-window Deluxe Coupe. I was 15 years old and it was 1958, the car was 100% original and I drove it home. No licence ,registration or insurance. Never forget it. When I was 16 ,I drove it to high school. It had a SBC, hydraulic brakes, 3 speed floor shift, dropped axle and , 15″ wheels, with spotted primer paint.
My point being I know this make and model well and this B/F car looks as much like a 32 as it does a 31, yet it presents as original. The whole front clip is 32, bumpers, fenders, grill shell, headlight bar and hood with louvers The body looks like a 31 with 32 cowl lights and dash. With no rear picture I can’t comment on the back, they were very similar ,It looks like it might have a luggage rack, which would make sense with the wheel wells in the fenders.
If I could see it in person I could figure it out. A few possibilities ,at some point a lot of 32 parts were substituted, WHY? Repairs, customized ,or came from factory in early run of 32’s. Many manufacturers back then used what they had ,until it was gone , I doubt that was the case, but this car does have a secret!
Joe:
Same story here: in ’57, I bought the twin to your ’32 5-window, from the original owner. It had the twin spares in the front fenders, luggage rack, rumble seat, and vent windows that clamped between the upper and lower window sills. It was also totally original, as driven off the dealership’s lot, and summer driven only, with absolutely nothing changed by the owner. I had approached him as he parked the car, one day, and told him I would pay his price whenever he wanted to sell it. He came by 2 years later. If you go to the craigslist site, the very nice pics will show you the absence of a luggage rack, but there is a nice rear-mounted extra spare. I wish I could buy this car, but I have one too many projects. Go to: https://marshall.craigslist.org/cto/d/tyler-rare-1931-chevy-ae-independence/7527578030.html
Old Car Guy, ,We must have bought our cars about the same time. I wanted a 32 Ford, but they were too much money. I graduated High School in 1961 and my senior year, I sold the 32 and got a 55 Chevy hard top.
Do you agree with me ,there is something off about this car. It is half 1931 and half 1932. I would like to know the story of the car. It is very well done and looks right. The average car guy unless he has a history of early Chevrolet’s would not even notice. If you know what is going on let me know.
Looks like a 1931 body with a 1932 front clip. The headlights are 1931.