Chevrolet AE Phaeton

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By 1930 General Motors had overtaken Ford as the top-selling car manufacturer and Chevrolet was the General’s top marque. The AE, with its legendary stove-bolt six-cylinder engine was one of the reasons for the company’s success: the overhead valve 3,180cc, straight six was good for 50bhp and its inherent smoothness emphasised the Ford Model’s A’s comparative crudity.

This 1930 Phaeton spent much of its life in Uruguay, but it is believed that it returned to the States at some time for a chassis overhaul before going back south. It was imported into the UK in 1990, but was not registered until 2011. Our vendor bought it as a going concern in 2013.

The following year the car was re-sprayed, re-wired and upgraded with a 12 volt conversion and indicators added. MB Trims, of Conisborough fitted a new hood and side-screens with material supplied by Martrim, of Sandbach, Cheshire. The seats were also re-upholstered at the same time.

The vendor has used the car sparingly since, mostly for trips to local shows and the like. On our photo shoot the car started easily, ran well and attracted much attention from local lolleygaggers and goongozzlers.

There is some debate as to whether it is a 1930 or 1931 model, but really, who cares, unless the VSCC Welsh Trial is on your annual motoring calendar. BF 5818 is a good, strong, down-to-earth pre-war car which although not concours, is perfectly presentable. There is some potential for improvement and the car will appeal to the owner who enjoys a bit of fettling but wants a car that is ready to go.