In 1934, General Motors refined an idea that revolutionized ride comfort for the average car owner. The company studied independent front suspension configurations and adopted the Dubonnet system using enclosed springs and dampers pivoting on a kingpin. The structure looked like a knee, so GM called it Knee Action. It was a vast improvement over the leaf spring approach which was capable of bouncing the rear passengers right to the roof. It was also efficient to produce – the key to mass market appeal. (Does anyone know what artifact was discovered in 1922 that revealed that suspension technology was in use from 1400 to 1300 BC?) So what does all this have to do with the humble Chevy above? This 1934 Master sedan here on eBay was one of the first mass-produced cars to utilize knee-action independent front suspension. It is bid to $4200, reserve not met, and it’s located in White Pine, Tennessee.
The seller hasn’t used his car much over his five years of ownership, and while the listing doesn’t mention whether it runs, its 206.8 cu. in. Stovebolt six-cylinder engine is stout and simple. These engines generate about 80 hp; mated to a three-speed manual floor-shift gearbox, the car can reach a top speed of almost 80 mph. Chevy was still two years away from hydraulic brakes, so a buffer zone of distance between you and the next car is wise. The Master wheelbase in ’34 measured about 112″ – a good five inches longer than the price-leading Standard.
The interior showcases luxe fabric, armrests on the door panels, and a full-featured instrument panel with the gauge set centered around the steering wheel (the Standard’s gauges were in the center of the dash itself). A clock is set into the glove box door. The rear seats and headliner are decent, though the door panel fabric and the armrests show wear. While the Master was the top-shelf trim choice, standard equipment menus hadn’t evolved enough to include more than one wiper blade or any sun visors.
And now we come to the hard part. In 1934, Chevys were still built by laying metal skins over a wooden body. If any of that wood is rotten, you’ll be making the pieces – not an easy chore. This sheet metal is admirably straight, but only an in-person inspection can reveal what a buyer might face here, and even then, the panels can hide a lot of sins. Still, this Chevy is a wonderful example, worth some attempt at preservation even if it isn’t treated to a full restoration. How would you tackle this project?
Upgrade the driveline and brakes leaving the spoked wheels as they are and do a rolling restoration while you have some old car fun. This car has got to be as rare as hen’s teeth. Love it!
I would blast it with gunfire to look like Bonnie & Clyde’s car.
Wrong car
1922…..hmmm…
Tut’s chariot?
Absolutely correct! … good job!
Is this car still available? I have a real good trader! Whats the reserve amount?
lawrence.spillman367gmail.com
Click on eBay in red in first paragraph.
ls swap! lol
Restore the original mechanics (including those brakes), and drive it the way that it is (occasionally). Clean the windows, steering-wheel, dash, and other parts of the interior contacted by driver snd passengers — but you cannot replace that ninety-year-old patina!
I don’t care for most of this old cars but I think this one would be worth looking at dust her off and drive it
Charming car of a beautiful era One must to be aware that was one of the cheaper cars in the market in those days and could offer a very confortable ride, speed ,style, etc.
My parent’s first car was a 34 Chevy during WW II. It was ten years old and very tired but cars were hard to come by. When the war ended he found a really nice 41 Chevy coupe.
I owned a 1934 Chevy Master four door sedan. It had dual side mount tires and a luggage rack. This is a trunk sedan. The Master series had the knee action front shocks that are a pain if they decide to collapse. The knee action shocks were even disliked back then and were deleted after 39. The 34 Standard series a bit smaller did not have the same shock setup. The one I owned was resto rodded buy the new owner. Still a great looking car.
Juice brakes n 12 volt coversion enjoy the ride
Love that idea.
It’s always gratifying to see those postings advocating preservation and restoration getting the most thumbs-up.