1930 Chevy Universal Series AD Sedan (more pics below 👇)
Chevrolet’s answer to the Great Depression arrived with carefully considered mechanical refinements rather than dramatic redesign. The Series AD carried forward the overhead-valve “Stovebolt Six” introduced just one year earlier, but engineers strengthened critical components throughout.
Beefier crankshaft bearings and additional crankcase webbing addressed durability concerns, while internal revisions and a redesigned intake and exhaust manifold lifted output from 46 to 50 horsepower.
Practical improvements extended beyond the engine. Lovejoy hydraulic shock absorbers replaced earlier mechanical dampers, working with smaller 19-inch wheels and correspondingly larger tires to improve ride quality.
Internal expanding brake shoes provided more consistent stopping power at all four corners. The fuel gauge moved from its awkward tank-mounted position to the dashboard alongside new circular instruments with black faces, while the windshield received a slight backward angle to reduce glare.
Marketed as “A Six in the price range of the Four,” the 194-cubic-inch engine delivered six-cylinder refinement at four-cylinder pricing, a compelling proposition as the economy contracted. Steel wheels remained standard through mid-1930, when wire wheels became optional across the line.
Despite economic headwinds that reduced production to 640,980 units, the Series AD demonstrated that thoughtful engineering could matter as much as bold innovation.
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