Key Facts and History Beginning of the 1921 Chevrolet

Not Many Changes in 1921

Sound familiar? A moment in beginning auto history -- In 1921, Chevrolet lost $8.7 million when sales dropped from third to fifth place due to recession.. Even though sales were dropping, Chevrolet continued with the 490 and FB Series.

Introducing the Chevrolet Series 490

Approximately 76, 370 Series 490s were built in 1921 with a price range of $795-$1,375. The Series 490, with its 102-inch wheelbase, had only a few changes.

Included in this series were:

• a five-passenger/four door Touring
• a two-passenger/ two-door Roadster
• a two-passenger/ two-door Coupe and
• a five-passenger/two-door Sedan

1921 "Four-Ninety" Touring Car

The four-cylinder Chevrolet "Four-Ninety Touring, priced at $820, had wood wheels, cone clutch, electric lighting and starter system, selective sliding transmission with three forward gears and one reverse.

Other accessories included on the Touring were license holders, complete lamp equipment, side curtains, windshield, foot rest, speedometer, demountable rims, robe rail, ammeter, extra rim and tire carrier, complete tool equipment with pump and jack.

1921 Chevrolet "Four-Ninety" Sedan

The four-cylinder "Four-Ninety" Sedan priced at $1375 had most of the same features as the 490 Touring. A few added features on the Sedan were a dome light and headlight dimmers.

1921 FB Series

The FB with 110-inch wheelbase included:

• a two-passenger/two-door FB-20 Roadster priced at $1320
• a four-passenger/two-door FB-30 Coupe and
• a five-passenger/four-door FB-40 Sedan both priced at $2075
• a five-passenger/four-door FB-50 Touring priced at $1345

Classic Chevy "FB-50" Touring

Specifications on the four-cylinder, 21.75 horsepower FB-50 Touring included an expanding emergency brake and contracting service brake on rear wheels, bore and stroke of 3 11/8 x 5 1/4, cone clutch, cellular radiator, wood wheels, vacuum gasoline system and a spiral bevel drive. The FB-50 also had an electric starting and lighting system. The 33 x 4 inch tires were non-skid on the rear.

Other features on the FB-50 Touring included complete tool equipment with pump and jack, electric horn, windshield, side curtains, license holders, speedometer, demountable rims, extra rim and tire carrier, ammeter and complete lamp equipment with headlight dimmers.

"FB-40" Sedan

The FB-40 Sedan included the same specifications and features as the FB-50 along with a two unit starting system and dome light.

Chevrolet Never Gave Up

Even with the drastic drop in sales in 1921, Chevrolet kept on trucking and returned to second place in 1922. Louis, part of the pair who invented the car, would be proud of the rebound.

Hope you enjoyed reading the historical review of these famous Chevrolet antique cars and will read our other Chevy articles.

Classic Chevy Advice for Collectors