1919 Chevrolet Series 490

The 1919 Chevrolet Series 490 was virtually unchanged from the 1918 model. Chevy apparently saw no need to alter a winning lineup.

The 1919 Chevrolet Series 490 Roadster was Chevy's entry-level 

offering

Chevy's entry-level 490 lineup had been a strong seller since its introduction in 1916. A closed sedan had been added to the line the following year. For 1918, a closed coupe joined the sedan, though both were priced significantly higher than their "open" Roadster counterparts.

There were no model changes for 1919 Series 490. However, the larger F series was renamed the FB and rode a longer wheelbase, 110 inches. It also gained a closed coupe and Chevy's first true four-door sedan. The FA wheelbase stayed at 108 inches, the 490 remained at 102. 

As for Chevy's flasgship, the Series D V-8, sales, which had never been numerous, dwindled to just 71 in 1919, and those were probably nothing more than left-over 1918 models given 1919 serial numbers. With that, Chevy's flagship was discontinued at midyear; total sales over its lifetime stood at just 2,781 units.

Though the V-8 proved to be a losing proposition, FB production increased significantly over that of the FA, while the popularity of the 490 soared.

By this time, Chevrolet was assembling cars in factories around the country, including Flint, Mich., Tarrytown, N.Y.,St. Louis, Oakland, Calf., and Fort Worth, Texas. Nearly 150,000 U.S.-built Chevys hit the road in 1919, putting Chevrolet second only to Ford in the sales race -- though by a still-whopping margin.

The 490 Roadster's dashboard was spartan and practical

1919 Chevrolet Series 490 Facts

Model : Series 490

Weight range (lbs.) : 1,820-2,160

Price range (new) : $715-$1,185

Number built : 149,833 (approx.)