1931 Chevrolet Independence

Chevrolet produced in excess of 623,000 cars in 1931, when its Series AE models carried the “Independence” name, but not more than a handful of them had a back story quite like this Sport Roadster, identifiable by its rumble seat. This Independence was originally sold new in Uruguay as a right-hand-drive car and stayed there until the family that bought it relocated to the United States in the late 1970s and sold it. The second owner converted it to left-hand drive and finished a restoration that had apparently begun in Uruguay, a process that gradually continued through the car’s third owner. This 1931 Chevrolet Independence Sport Roadster is fully documented, and has won trophies at car shows around Florida.

POWERTRAIN Chevrolet’s engine in 1931 was its “Cast-Iron Wonder,” its landmark 194-cu.in. OHV straight-six. With a compression ratio of 5.02:1, the engine received its fuel mixture via a Carter single-barrel carburetor and was rated by the manufacturer at 50 horsepower. The engine in this Independence is original to the car, based on its 1931-correct casting numbers, and the engine underwent a mechanical rebuild at an unspecified time. The engine retains its 6-volt electricals and starts readily from cold without smoke. No issues with the three-speed manual transmission’s functionality are reported. There is a fluid leak from the rear main seal. The engine bay presents as stock and spotless.