1916 Chevy - How Antique Car Collectors Get Rid of Stress

1916 Chevy-Series 490

During the beginning of the auto industry, Louis Chevrolet, who invented his version of the car in 1909 had to keep up the pace in order to compete with Ford's Model T's cost in 1916, Chevrolet built the lightweight Series 490 in franchised assembly plants so they could reduce their cost and delivery. 4,661 orders came in within 17 days for the Series 490 and in the first year more than 18,000 were built.

This streamline five-passenger touring model, with a price of $490, had a deep cowl, instrument dash, concealed hinges on extra wide doors and a black finish. The front tires on the Series 490 were 30" x 3" and rear tires were 30" x 3 1/2". The wood, artillery type wheels had large hub flanges and clincher rims.

The Chevrolet 490 had a four-cylinder, valve-in-head engine, 102-inch wheelbase, three-speed transmission, Zenith improved double jet carburetor, Thermo-syphon cooling system, cone clutch, Simms high tension magneto ignition,

Standard Issue for the 1916 Chevrolet

Standard equipment on the 1916 Series 490 included top cover and side curtains, an electric horn, windshield, Mohair tailored top, complete lamp and tool equipment that included jack and pump and Presto-lite tank. Available equipment at extra cost included electric lights and starter.

Offered on the Series 490 were many exclusive features which included a patent pending special brake arrangement with an external contracting service brake and an internal expanding emergency brake. Also patent pending was a shock absorbing duplex front spring. Other features included a compound steering gear, self-lubricating clutch collar and unit power plant .

Chevrolet moved into seventh place in the car industry when the new Series 490 model hit a whopping 62, 898 in sales and began changing automobile history.

1916 Chevrolet "Baby Grand"

In 1916, the five-passenger Chevrolet "Baby Grand" touring H-4 type was available at the price of $750. A lighting and starting system was included in this price. With a wheelbase of 106 inches, this classic streamline vehicle had a Chevrolet Brewster green finish and concealed hinges on the extra wide doors.

"Baby Grand" Specifications

The four-cylinder, valve-in-head engine on the Baby Grand had 1 1/2 inch enclosed valves, bore and stroke of 3 11/16" x 4".

Other specifications were cast en bloc cylinders, Zenith improved double jet carburetor, cone-leather faced clutch, three speeds forward and reverse selective type transmission,16-gallon gasoline tank on rear, worm wheel steering gear, new improved Connecticut ignition system, 17-inch steering wheel with inserted spider and 32 x 3 1/2 inch tires, with non-skid tires on rear.

The rear axle was the semi-floating type with heat-treated shafts running on Hyatt roller bearings. The drop-forged, I-beam front axle had steering spindles, tie-rod ends and integral yokes.

Equipment on "Baby Grand"

The consumer was well pleased with the equipment offered on the new Baby Grand which included an electric horn, license holders, demountable rims with extras, three lamps, single-wire lighting system, speedometer, tire irons, Mohair tailored top and side curtains and complete tool equipment.

A Shining Bright Future for Chevy

1916 was a successful selling year for Chevrolet and the future looked very bright. If you are an avid antique car collector and find these classic cars for sale, the year might be a success for you, too!

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