Chevrolet Master Sports Sedan

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

The new Chevrolet International models of 1929 became the Universal series for 1930. By 1931, the Independence had made its debut, the Confederate in 1932 and the Master series in 1933. All used the famous "Stovebolt" overhead-valve 3,500cc inline six-cylinder engine, which gave Chevrolet a marketing edge over Ford, who were still offering a lone flathead-four ("A Six at the price of a Four").

The new Master had gained ‘knee action’ independent front suspension, an ingenious system that incorporated both the spring and shock absorber which turned with the axle. Even if it did little to minimise unsprung weight, the competition from Dearborn were still using transverse leaf springs in a design hangover from the Model T Ford. These new Master Series were superb cars, with 80mph performance, good ride and attractive bodies and sold like hot cakes.

The 1937 Master Sedan offered here was built at Chevrolet’s General Motors Plant, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa with right hand drive. The original owner drove it regularly from 1937 until parking it in a garage in 1965. It remained stored until 1985 when it was discovered by a friend of the vendor, who purchased it from him in February 1986. He decided to restore the car with new paint, interior retrim, and general maintenance before shipping the car to the UK when he moved in 1987. Upon arrival in the UK, the car was regrettably sold to a dealer to release funds for a house purchase.

Fast forward 28 years and the vendor tracked the car down to its 4^th owner who lived in Jersey and managed to purchase it again in 2014. It had received a few modifications in the interim, including a heater, second windscreen wiper, new tyres, brake and clutch and conversion to 12 Volt electrics. Also a tow bar (for a period caravan) had been added and it had received a colour change to its current dark blue. 

Now showing 114,000 miles according to the vendor, the engine has never been apart and starts well and is reported to run “as smooth as silk”. In 2017 the Chevy was judged Best in Show in a Surrey car show and is only being sold due to ill health. Offered with a good history file and related documents, toolkit and Owners Manuals, it is ready to start the next chapter in its fabulous history.