Lot Ended
Description
From a private collection; ex-Australia; RHD; robust 35hp
four-cylinder 2.8 ohv engine; four-wheel brakes; beautifully restored; find a
better one!
The Chevrolet
Capitol was ideally placed to exploit the gap in the market caused
by the demise of Ford's all-conquering Model T and the arrival of its
replacement, the Model A. Built by General Motors, the Capitol AA Series briefly
became the best-selling affordable family car in America, with around
800,000 sold in the first year while Ford grappled to get Model A production
fully onstream.
For the 1928 model
year, an improved AB Series was introduced with styling tweaks by Harley
Earl, more power from the 171ci (2,800cc) ohv four-cylinder engine (up from 26
to 35hp), braking to all four wheels and a slightly longer wheelbase (up from
103 to 107 inches) for a more stable and comfortable ride.
With a
3-speed and reverse gearbox, the Capitol AB came in eight different body styles,
including a closed four-door Sedan and two-door Coupe, plus an
open five-passenger Tourer and two-seat Roadster, and could lope along at
50mph with another 10mph in hand if required.
It was
replaced by the six-cylinder AC Series in 1929 which marked the debut of the
famous 46hp ‘Stovebolt Six’ which was to power Chevrolet’s family cars for the
next three decades.
This stunning Capitol AB
Series four-door Tourer is an original RHD export model which spent its first 70
years in sunny Australia. Imported to the UK in November 1998, it had just one
owner for the next 21 years, and then very briefly one more owner, before our
vendor acquired it in May 2022 to join his collection of Vintage machines.
Sadly there is no real history with the car, but it has clearly
been restored to a high standard at some point in the not-too-distant past. The
green-over-black paintwork has a nice glossy finish and the lovely Art
Nouveau Chevrolet kick plates gleam like jewels against the black sills. The
grey trimmed interior looks equally clean and tidy.
The black canvas
hood looks virtually good as new and the hickory 12-spoke artillery wheels are
shod with a matching set of Firestone 4.50/4.75/21 tyres that also show
little wear. The doors click shut with precision and not a millimetre of play in
the hinges, always the sign of a quality car. To get you familiar with the
machine and keep it running well, an owner's instruction book
and repair manual are also included.
When our vendor acquired the
car in 2022, it was running a bit unevenly so he sourced a new carburettor from
America and we are told that it now runs beautifully. He advises that
the starter motor can be a bit temperamental but once you know where
to wiggle it, should the need arise, the car starts easily and it
has been running sweetly as we have moved it around on site for the
video.
On offer here for substantially less than our vendor for
it, this impressive and spacious Capitol Tourer is only reluctantly
for sale due to the owner's health issues. In really super condition throughout,
it will turn heads wherever it goes and no doubt has another 90+ years of
useful life ahead of it.
Consigned by James
Dennison – 07970 309907 – james.dennison@brightwells.com