1920, 1922 Chevrolet Series 490

The 1920-1922 Chevrolet Series 490 was destined for the dustbin. Chevrolet was attempting to get back on an even keel as the Twenties began, but a serious economic depression and management shakeup intervened. GM stock fell sharply, and Pierre duPont ousted William Durant as president. Karl W. Zimmerschied took Chevy's presidency.

The 1920 Chevrolet 490 Touring had a carpeted interior and
a rear-seat footrest.

During Durant's tenure, Chevrolet had relied mainly on the 490, gradually discontinuing the larger cars. For 1920, Series 490 underwent little modification, except that reverse-curve front fenders replaced the straight type, and headlights now sat directly on those fenders. Series FB also continued with little change.

Moving into 1921, Chevrolet dropped from third to fifth place in sales, losing $8.7 million. Worse yet, it finished the season with 150,000 unsold 490s. Customers evidently had come to realize that the 490 simply wasn't as tough as a Model T Ford. "Some day you'll own a Chevrolet," advised one ad, but too many shoppers ignored that fantasy, sticking with Ford or turning to other makes.

Dramatic price cuts for 1922 helped stimulate sales, which tripled, returning Chevrolet to second place. A $680 Utility Coupe with a big trunk joined the 490 line, aimed at traveling salesmen, but the long-lived 490 was about to expire, as Chevrolet had a far different idea for 1923.

                       The 1922 Chevrolet Series 490 sold far better than the 1920 and 1921 Series 490.

1920-1922 Chevrolet Series 490 Facts

Model : 1920 ­Series 490

Weight range (lbs.) : 1,820-2,160Price range (new) : $795-$1,285

Number built : 150,226 (approx.)

Model : 1921 Series 490

Weight range (lbs.) : 1,820-2,160

Price range (new) : $795-1,375

Number built  : 76,370 (approx.)

Model : 1922 Series 490

Weight range (lbs.) : 1,435-2,150

Price range (new)  : $510-$875

Number built : 243,479 (approx.)

More about → 1920, 1922 Chevrolet Series 490

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.)

More about → 1919 Chevrolet Series 490

1916 Chevrolet Series 490

The 1916 Chevrolet Series 490 transformed Chevy from an also-ran into a major player, as the young company move downscale to compete seriously against Ford's phenomenally popular Model T.

The 1916 Chevrolet 490 was Chevy's attempt to compete with the
Ford Model T

On sale by June 1915, as a 1916 model, the "Four-Ninety" was named for its initial price. A Model T Ford just happened to cost $490 but soon fell to $440, slaying Chevy's brief rivalry on price alone.

In reality, with a full electrical system, the 490 actually cost $550 more. Chevrolet responded to Ford's price cut by offering its car for $490 complete, but that figure quickly proved unprofitable, so the price of a properly equipped touring car or roadster reverted to $550.

Spanning a 102-inch wheelbase, the down-to-basics 490 was built in franchised plants to cut costs and hasten delivery. A simplified variant of the 171-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine from the Series H yielded 20 horsepower (same as the Model T). Painted only in black -- again like Ford -- the lightweight 490 had a cone clutch and three-speed transmission.

Within 17 days, Chevrolet Motor Company had 4,661 orders with cash deposits. Durant claimed that "a little child can sell it," and more than 18,000 were built in the first year.

As the new model gained attention, total sales soared to 62,898 cars, sending Chevrolet into seventh place in the industry -- approaching Studebaker.

                  The 490 was named for its price, althoughproperly equipped it actually cost more.

1916 Chevrolet Series 490 Facts

Model : All models

Weight range (lbs.) : 1,820-2,500

Price range (new) : $550-$750

Number built : 70,701

More about → 1916 Chevrolet Series 490