Vehicle Description
This brightly colored, restored-to-original 1935 Chevrolet Master
Deluxe two-door sedan is a cheerful reminder of how our
grandparents got around during the Great Depression. It's actually
remarkably stylish and a lot of fun to drive, a testament to basic
transportation when even affordable cars felt like top quality
pieces.
OK, we'll admit that the two-tone Light Green over Dark Green paint
job is probably worlds better than it was when it was new, but you
have to say that this Chevy attracts a lot of attention. One reason
is that it's not a Ford; when was the last time you saw a '35
Chevy? By 1935 Chevrolet had retired any wood in the build of the
Master's structural parts, and that redesigned "Turret Top"
platform that utilized all steel in the body and roof was an
instant upgrade and subsequent hit with the public. It was restored
a few years ago and the job was done to a very high standard, from
the wonderfully ornate chrome grille to the flowing fenders to the
very stylish rear deck treatment that makes this one stand out in a
crowd. Big suicide-style doors give you great access to the
interior and create one of the most attractive styling elements of
the car and a nice balance between the front and rear windows,
while the light-stained wood on the running boards or the most
obvious reminder of the era. The paint is applied over clean and
very straight sheetmetal, and patch panels are pretty much
non-existent for these cars, so it was carefully smoothed and
sanded rather than simply replaced by cheap re-pop parts. There's
enough chrome and brightwork to give the Master Deluxe an upscale
look, including the bumpers fore and aft, a nicely detailed hood
trim, and a single taillight out back.
The interior is comfortable and traditional, with beautifully
reupholstered benches fore and aft that look like furniture rather
than car seats, and the effect of the subdues tan color inside is
extremely appealing against the otherwise bright exterior. The
cabin is specifically designed to allow good access to the spacious
rear seat area and the custom cloth upholstery is tastefully done
in period-style patterns that are highly durable for the modern
world. The color-matched dash was restored/preserved to stock and
mimics the two-tone color scheme of the exterior, the big steering
wheel has likely been in place for almost a century, and the
three-pod instrument panel is full of gorgeous, ornate original
Chevrolet gauges. Flanking door panels match the seats, the plush
tan carpets below insulate the cabin, and the headliner above might
even be original - a rarity if we've ever seen one in a pre-war
antique like this. It's as basic as it gets inside, as even radios
were still cutting-edge and expensive in 1935, although with a
healthy aftermarket of parts available to the public one could
easily catapult this Chevy into the 21st Century if they wanted for
amenities. Personally, I think this time capsule is exactly as it
should be. You'll undoubtedly find that once you're behind the
wheel, this handsome Chevy feels familiar and competent and the
controls are easy to master, especially with that big steering
wheel and easy-to-handle 3-speed manual shifter that's just a short
reach away.
Part of the Chevy's familiarity comes from a 206.8 cubic inch
inline-six (aka the 207), which was affectionately called the
"Stovebolt Six", and even the "Cast Iron Womder" by many admirers.
A predecessor for the soon-to-come Blue Flame engines Chevy hung
their hat on for years, these motors were torquey, sneakily
powerful (many argue they were faster than the Ford at the time),
and dependable enough that even Toyota used the design for several
decades. It's smooth and torquey and works remarkably well in the
lightweight little sedan, pulling it in and out of just about any
situation, even on the modern road. It's dressed in proper Chevy
gray paint and the simplicity is alluring, with a single downdraft
carburetor with oil bath air cleaner and easy service access. It
still uses its original 6-volt electrical system, anchored by a
stock-style battery for fast starting, so the driving experience is
very authentic. By 1935, GM was using synchromesh on all their
cars, even the affordable Chevys, so the 3-speed manual
transmission is easy to shift and clutch action is light. The
suspension isn't sophisticated, with a rigid axle at both ends, but
it rolls over rough pavement with surprising aplomb and the 4-wheel
mechanical brakes are effective given the car's performance
capabilities. It's happy to cruise at respectable MPH with a smooth
mechanical woosh coming from under the hood and a nice 6-cylinder
grumble from the single tailpipe. Gorgeous wire wheels were
all-the-rage in 1935 and carry simple, bright Bowtie hubcaps and a
set of 17-inch whitewall tires that look period-perfect.
Affordable antique fun, this Chevy is competent, stylish, and easy
to drive, which just happen to be the same reasons your
grandparents were so fond of cars just like this. Call today!
