Description
Year: 1931
Mileage: 36,542
Transmission: Manual
Condition: Excellent
Exterior: Coffee Cream
Interior: Beige
1931 Chevrolet Landau Phaeton
From late 1931 to mid 1932, Chevrolet decided to produce a Fisher body styled car with the capability to haul 5 passengers, have roll up windows, and a convertible. So called ”all weather sedans” these were available in the Cadillac and Buick lines, so the thinking was to make a cheaper version for the average working family. Producing only 800 units during this time, a massive fire at the plant destroyed many of these coupes. Also, the remaining ones were victims of dismal sales due to the price point being almost 2 times the cost to purchase a Ford Vicky. In desperation, GM salvaged parts from the remaining cars, and crushed the bodies. It is believed 80 to 90 percent of these non-fire damaged, unsold units were destroyed.
As a result, we offer this extremely rare, extremely well done, concours quality automobile, that has only won first place in every competition it has been entered into. It was invited to Pebble Beach in 2016, however couldn’t be judged, because there were no others to compete against! It has been shown for 28 years, and the current consigner has himself only laid eyes on 1 other example, but it was in poor condition.
Exterior
Coffee Cream paint in absolutely perfect condition is seen on perfectly straight, nicely gapped panels on every corner of this car. Black fenders and running boards frame wide whites with spoked wheels in a beautiful Swamp Holly Orange, which makes for just an incredible visual color combination. With a consigner stated 36K original miles, this car is loaded with rare options which include a deluxe body, deluxe bumpers, twin horns, twin cowl lights, an unheard-of twin windshield wiper, twin side mounts, and twin taillights. Also, noteworthy a rear luggage rack, leather trunk, front stone guard, and a custom car cover. All of this stopped with a fawn colored canvas top in pristine condition.
Interior
Full leather for the front buckets and rear bench which are flawless and have padding like the day they were upholstered. Leather door panels matching the seating have a pocket and very nicely chromed window cranks, pulls and openers. A shout out to the door sills and windowsills which are lacquered walnut. A rare GM style hot water heater is added, as well as ashtrays for the rear occupants. Comfortable tan carpeting covers the floors, and up front is a full-length rubber mat protecting the front passenger carpeting. An interesting painted art deco-esque swirl patterned instrument dash sits proudly in the center and shows off the old-style essential gauges. The windows crank up and down so smoothly, you would think they are power windows if your arm was not cranking them! You have to love the top when it’s down in its bunched up form at the rear. One can harken back to an era where you are cruising along with your straw hat, and flapper seated next to you getting lipstick on your starched collar as you navigate off the beaten path dirt road.
Drivetrain
Much like it is directly off the factory line this inline 6-cylinder with a 194ci displacement is fed by an updraft carburetor, which GM rolled out only 1 year. A 3-speed manual transmission rolls in un-synchro meshed style but shifts smoothly once warmed up.
Undercarriage
In a word or two just as pristine as the topside, with its mechanical drum brakes and simple leaf spring suspension all around.
