I’m developing a “thing” for pre-war cars and I never had such a proclivity until I started reviewing Barn Finds each day. It’s not the hot-rodded versions that attract my attention so much, it’s the originals, or maybe those originals with a tiny bit of modification. Here’s such an example, a 1937 Chevrolet Business Coupe, located in Lapeer, Michigan and available here on eBay for a current bid of $4,450, six bids tendered so far.
Fords from this era are continuing in their status as the number one collectible of the era but Chevies and even Plymouths make appearances too. As was typical for the time, Chevrolet offered multiple different body styles in 1937 including, two different four-door sedans, two different two-door sedans, two different two-door coupes (including this Business Coupe) and a Cabriolet (or what we generally call a convertible).
This Chevy has been sitting since 1975, the last five years, literally in a barn. The seller states that it was to be a project slated for restoration but that never came together. It is listed as being original with a solid body and frame. The running boards are rotted through though the rest of the body, glass and trim looks OK. The finish is supposedly original too, it’s worn but passable. Unfortunately, the grille is missing a few of its teeth so that will need to be addressed. This coupe has a goofy off-road vibe going with the removed rear fenders and the “mudder” tires. The fenders are included in the sale, however.
Under the hood should be a 216 CI inline, six-cylinder engine, delivering 85 HP. The seller says that it may be a 230 or 235 CI six but it looks like a 216. He adds that he does not know if it is original. Commenting further, “Engine ran many years ago.” Yes, I’m sure it did at some point in the past. Nevertheless, it doesn’t run now and it’s missing its water pump. Gear changing is facilitated by a three-speed manual transmission.
Inside is old. The listing advises that the original seats are gone, what’s in there now, besides a gallon can of paint, looks like bucket seats from a VW Bug – it’s hard to get a good look. Other than the swapped seats, the rest of it looks intact though that floored brake pedal is telling me something is amiss. There is no evidence of floor rot-through but this Chevy should be closely examined for deterioration. Storage really matters and barn storage, while better than outdoors, of course, can be hard on anything that has a tendency to corrode.
The pictorial on this business coupe is pretty thorough and that helps illustrate what’s here. What would really help, though, is clearing out all of the non-related stuff from the trunk and interior. The trunk, in particular, has more odds-and-ends in it than my garage – it just doesn’t help with the selling cause. That said, there are those that are seeing some value in this Business Coupe and thus the bidding activity. This is another one of those crossroads dilemmas, restore this Chevy as original or go for broke and hot-rod it. The temptation to stray is enforced by an engine that really looks like it hasn’t run in a very long time and may no longer be viable. I’ll ask the usual question, restore as stock or hot-rod it, what way would you go with this ’37 Chevrolet Business Coupe?
Its hard to tell if later 230 gm .
Taking five mins to write down some engine numbers is not that hard. 😏
I say Vroom Vroom lets hot rod this baby…
LS engine swap and put back blue along with rear end and tranny swap
The grille looks sweet on this Chevy fat fender beast 👍
How bout an LL8 Atlas 6 swap with a TorqStorm ?
screw that ,do up a 292 gmc truck motor with a 5 speed stick behind it and a clifford performace 4 barrel intake and split exhaust update the brakes or drop the body on a s10 frame and enjoy
Agreed, agreed, agreed!! I’d love to have this old ’37! My Grandpa’s first car was a 1937 Chevy. I have one of the original hubcaps from his car. What fun it would be to make a sleeper of this car with an LS3 under the hood!!
Pretty sure they didn’t make a cabriolet in this year lol. A cabriolet and a convertible are two different things.
Attached, from the 1937 Chevrolet sales brochure…..
I stand corrected. Ya learn something new everyday. Thanks.
Were valve covers optinal?
What a nice old car to be able to work on and enjoy. Looks like its all their, I,d tinker on it and drive it. Check it out real good before buying it . These motors are easy to work on and pretty reliable, Fix what it need s and drive it in the summer time and work on the rest in a warm garage in the winter, I really like it alot,but would check it out good.If the frame was really good , then talk, More then likely its good,
Not a 230,look at the rocker arms. Temp.sender and carb.suggest ’62 or older 235.
That’s right Bob on all you mentioned. Also, none of the later 194, 230, 250 or 292 straight sixes used rocker arm shafts. In fact the whole rocker setup was right from the small block Chev parts bin.
Had a friend in high school back in the sixties that had a ‘37 Chevy coupe like this, with a small block V8, a four speed and spacer blocks between the front axle and springs, drag raced it on the weekends, drove it to school during the week. I’ve always thought they were cool…
Yep would make a nice rod, as Ron states, 327 or 283 4 speed. Take the body to whatever leve you want to. Put in some swing pedals and upgrade the brakes. Good luck to the new owner!
Cheers
GPC
I’m thinking Hot Rod for this one ! ….. But then again I love Hot Rods ! lol
These can be nice if upgraded. In perfect stock form it would be fun to drive. If you really want to daily drive they are slow, brakes not good and suspension is weak. Better with a 283 + 4-speed and S10 posi rear end. Would not take a lot of money to make it a good driver. It does have the good doors, no wood frame stuff, stamped steel frames and window regulators all added after ’36.
Looks to be complete in overall good condition and parts whether stock or reproduction available. Owned a 37 Coupe a few years back 350 Chevy. 350 trans, Ford 9″ , Mustang 2 front suspension. I would guess this one to get up to 8 to 10k.
Art Deco automobiles should always be left alone body wise & styling wise but the drivetrains can be modified up to small block or big block IMHO. Changing the styling of the dash interior would be a bastardization IMHO. Taking the horse hair stuffing out of the interior is a must though.
Art Deco 1937 cars are pure art in the car world and as such should never be altered too much. One cannot improve upon the designers designs from the Art Deco era. The designers back then knew more about art than today’s designers do.
Bob
I knew a guy in Camp Hill PA that had one where I grew up, cool old hot rod in the mid sixties, stuck in my mind for ever- love to buy this but my wife would help move me into homeless shelter if I did, maybe if o win the lottery ! Neville, hi to Terry S!👍😀🇬🇧
Wonder why rear fenders were unbolted ?
Why start a resto there ?
This detracts. I would have bolted them back on before attempting a sale
Another interesting fact the 37 Chevy has 2 different width rear fenders,because it had an offset rear end,,,the 38 fenders are the same cause they changed rear end to an even side to side rear end….Also the door window trim on the interior, the way its mounted is different on 37 and 38’s..I have a good rebuilt 37 3 spd trans for sale if anyones interested..