Chevrolet Series 490
Encyclopedia
The Chevrolet Series 490 is a Brass Era
American automobile, made from 1915 to 1922. The 1915 introduction of the $490, Chevrolet
490 was an immediate success and established the brand as a big player. The name would not denote the price for long(in 1921, the average price was $820), but it would stay low enough to take a chunk out of the Model T
market. The Model T started at $495 at the time. Chevrolet was soon so profitable that Billy Durant began buying shares of GM
stock with his Chevrolet stock. Electric horns where standard. And by 1921, standard equipment included a speedometer, and ammeter, dome lights(closed-body cars only), and headlight dimmers.
. This would be Chevrolet's main engine until the "Stovebolt" straight six
replaced it for 1929.
to compete with the new Ford Model TT
. The answer was two models, the first 1918 Chevrolet Series 490 Light Delivery chassis cowl rated at half a ton and based on the auto. The second, not based on the 490, was a one-ton 1918 Chevrolet Model T (oddly enough) "Ton Truck". It had a payload capacity rating of 2,000 lbs and sold for $1245 retail. Much like the chassis cab
of today, they gave consumers a cheap, flexible platform to build on. Its steering wheel and gear shift lever, along with the instrument panel and gauge cluster, were also lifted from the passenger car. A chassis cowl included the chassis with engine, transmission and the front sheet metal which comprised the hood, front fenders, headlights and grille.
Brass Era car
The automotive Brass Era is the first period of automotive manufacturing, named for the prominent brass fittings used during this time for such things as lights and radiators. It extends from the first commercial automobiles marketed in the 1890s until about World War I...
American automobile, made from 1915 to 1922. The 1915 introduction of the $490, Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
490 was an immediate success and established the brand as a big player. The name would not denote the price for long(in 1921, the average price was $820), but it would stay low enough to take a chunk out of the Model T
Ford Model T
The Ford Model T is an automobile that was produced by Henry Ford's Ford Motor Company from September 1908 to May 1927...
market. The Model T started at $495 at the time. Chevrolet was soon so profitable that Billy Durant began buying shares of GM
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
stock with his Chevrolet stock. Electric horns where standard. And by 1921, standard equipment included a speedometer, and ammeter, dome lights(closed-body cars only), and headlight dimmers.
OHV Engine
The 490 was only offered with the Overhead Valve 171-cubic-inch (2.8 L) four cylinderChevrolet Straight-4 engine
The Chevrolet Inline-4 engine one of Chevrolet's first automobile engines was designed by Arthur Mason and introduced in 1913. Exposed pushrods actuated valves in the detachable crossflow cylinder head. Chevrolet referred to its overhead-valve engine as a "valve-in-head" design. This drew...
. This would be Chevrolet's main engine until the "Stovebolt" straight six
Chevrolet Straight-6 engine
The Chevrolet inline 6 was Chevy's main engine from 1929 , through 1954, and was the base engine starting in 1955 when they added the small block V8 to the lineup. It had finally been completely phased out by 1990 in North America, but Brazil held on to their fuel-injected straight-6 through the...
replaced it for 1929.
The First Chevy Trucks
The same year Chevrolet merged with GM, Durant wanted a pickupPickup
Pickup, Pick up or Pick-up may refer to:-Technology:*Magnetic cartridge, also known as pickup, a transducer used for the playback of gramophone records on a turntable or phonograph...
to compete with the new Ford Model TT
Ford Model TT
The Ford Model TT is a truck made by the Ford Motor Company. It was rated at one ton. It was based on the Ford Model T, but with a heavier frame and rear axle.The rear axle had a worm drive and crown wheel,unlike the Ford Model T's Crown wheel and pinion. The worm was located at the end of the...
. The answer was two models, the first 1918 Chevrolet Series 490 Light Delivery chassis cowl rated at half a ton and based on the auto. The second, not based on the 490, was a one-ton 1918 Chevrolet Model T (oddly enough) "Ton Truck". It had a payload capacity rating of 2,000 lbs and sold for $1245 retail. Much like the chassis cab
Chassis cab
A chassis cab or cab chassis is a body style, and type of vehicle construction, often found in medium duty truck commercial vehicles.Instead of supplying the customer with a factory pre-assembled flatbed, cargo container, or other equipment - the customer is given the vehicle with just 'chassis'...
of today, they gave consumers a cheap, flexible platform to build on. Its steering wheel and gear shift lever, along with the instrument panel and gauge cluster, were also lifted from the passenger car. A chassis cowl included the chassis with engine, transmission and the front sheet metal which comprised the hood, front fenders, headlights and grille.
Production notes
| Year | Production | Price | Weight | Notes | HP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1915 | $490 | ||||
| 1916 | 70,701 | $550–$750 | 1,820-2,500 lbs | 26 | |
| 1917 | 100,000th Chevrolet, Chevy takes over GM | 26 | |||
| 1918 | 95,660 | $660–$1,060 | 1,890-2,160 lbs | chassy/"cowl" truck added | 26 |
| 1919 | 149,833 (approx.) | $715–$1,185 | 1,820-2,160 lbs | 26 | |
| 1920 | 150,226 (approx.) | $795–$1,285 | 1,820-2,160 lbs | 26 | |
| 1921 | 76,370 (approx.) | $795–$1,375 | 1,820-2,160 lbs | 26 | |
| 1922 | 243,479 (approx.) | $510–$875 | 1,435-2,150 lbs | 26 | |
| Total |