Chevrolet sales were poor in 1929 so for 1930 the Model AC was replaced with the new Model AD. Horsepower was increased from 46 to 50, hydraulic shock absorbers were added and the gas gauge was moved from the gas tank to the dash. This Chevy is listed here on eBay in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Reserve has not been met and the auction ends next Sunday. It sat for 35 years, and is described as being original but it’s likely an older restoration.
At least some of the floorboards are original. One pictured has the factory stamp, but the adjacent boards are replacements.
You can see a couple of patches in the floor in this picture as well as some interesting fasteners. The steering wheel and dash have certainly been redone.
The seats and door cards are surely not original but look really nice. This looks like a nice place to be for a 86 year old car!
The engine looks original. Hopefully any work done on the engine was done well. The owners have not attempted to get it running, but they say it is not frozen.
The top looks to be in really nice shape. Although not original, it’s held up well in storage.
There is peeling paint showing here and will need attention. The front bumper is included but is in poor condition.
The back bumper is missing as well. The brackets are included, but they are in rough condition so this Chevy will need a bumper and brackets. It looks like this old Chevy could be a great driver without too much work and money. I hope it stays original. What do you think?
David,
I have a little problem understanding this “original” wordage. When someone say’s “original”, do they mean since new, or do they mean original appearance(not modified)? I’ve always told people, if my car wasn’t modded, that it is “original”, even if I’ve replaced, say a radiator with an original replacement rad. Is that wrong? Another note here is the “survivor” phrase. If a 20+ year old car is still in it’s original configuration, maybe a touch up here or there, wouldn’t you still call it a survivor?
I would think if a car has never had anything done to it repair wise, then it would be mentioned at the time of sale, but stock repairs to me would still mean “original” or “survivor” witch ever applies.
Please help me understand these phrases, since there is a lot of negativity, correcting people’s ads. I’m an old car guy just trying to understand the lingo.
Personally, I would consider “original” to mean more than just unmodified. A car that has been restored is no longer “original”. “Survivors” are low-mileage unrestored cars that are in very good condition. They are the ones that cause a fuzzy feeling in your stomach when you see them and realize how “original” they really are. They also make you feel bad when you drive them. If anyone has anything to add to my definitions, please feel free.
LOL! ‘…they make you feel bad when you drive them.’ I totally get it, but it’s still funny.
I believe people say it’s original because they know nothing about cars and nothing of the history of the car they find in the garage under a tarp. I think what happened here is typical, some one restored this car decades ago. As they aged they were no longer able to drive it and eventually died. Someone, perhaps a family member finds it and is told it’s grandpa’s old car. It looks nice. They don’t realize the car was old when he restored it. They assume it’s original.
In this case there are many indications that this one was restored, including the roof, floor, engine and more.
A real handsome auto. Thanks for bringing to our attention.
JC
I learned to drive in 1957. Since then there have been hip replacements, knee replacements and steel rods implanted. My wife STILL calls me an original survivor !
Jesse & Rocco, just wanted to add my thoughts to their ” original and survivor ” terms. These days both of these terms are very subjective and all over them place and IMO are used whenever it’s best fits their narrative of whatever particular car is for sale at their time. ” Original ” IMO is not a good term for talking about them overall condition of a vehicle. Methinks original should be used in their context of Individual parts. Original floor mats, original tires, original belts, hoses, etc, etc. Now survivor, this term brings them most debate. To me, a survivor of course at its most basic definition is a car that has not been restored. It is a car with its ( original lol ) drivetrain. Has original paint. Original interior. Past that it can get a little murky. If some small part was replaced ( carb, tires, etc ) then is it truly a survivor? I say yes, some say no – once again very subjective. I try to take a common sense approach. Imo, if let’s say a 2 year old car gets hit in fender and no major damage other than their fender needs replacement and say it’s done by then dealership. I say yes, it’s still a survivor. I know many will disagree. They terminology is so all over them place I will say one thing that most will probably agree with – if someone puts forth something as an ” original survivor ” I would take that to mean all major components are factory original and never been replaced or repaired, original paint, interior, etc. Theater only exception for me to this designation would be maybe belts, batteries, tires, those type of expected wear items.
Thanks for some clarification. This helps.
It’s a nice unmolested old Chevy.
I suggest it’s “top value” ( based on many factors…including its NOT running ) is about $7000.00.
It has a few pluses that support that price: clean, original ” looking” and nothing added to cause it to be considered modified or gaudy.
The current market does not find favor with old closed cars ( two door and four door ) wood framed autos of the twenties and thirties. Most of the old time collectors who loved these cars are in nursing homes or already pushing up daisies.
I hope this one can find a new owner who appreciates an old two door stovebolt
MJM, I have one and I’m in my 40’s. Of course it’s been in my family since new and never drove over to counties here in Alabama. The reason the market doesn’t favor these cars is because it has wood work holding the metal on. And people don’t want to fool with it. They’d rather buy a steel ford and do whatever they want to. Mine’s a Sport Coupe with the different interior and extra chrome moulding. LOL
Can anyone tell me what this type of wheel is called when it isn’t the wood spokes? Are they considered artillery wheels even if not on a military vehicle?
To dj
It’s good to know that someone from a younger generation can treasure a working mans car from the 30’s and earlier . I love them too but they are falling out of favor with most collectors who gravitate towards muscle, resto rods ,etc.