1929 Chevrolet International Model AC Tourer

By the late Twenties Chevrolet had well and truly established itself as the most serious competitor to Ford and finally overtook its main rival in the sales race in 1927. However, the introduction of the Model A posed a serious threat and Chevrolet responded in 1929 with a new six-cylinder engine, the "stovebolt" overhead-valve unit that would power the majority of Chevrolet's cars until the 1950s. Marketed as "A Six for the Price of a Four", the new motor developed 46 horsepower at 2600 rpm and was fed through a Carter single-barrel carburettor. The chassis had a 107-inch wheelbase, four-wheel mechanical brakes and a banjo-type back axle, while drive was taken to the rear wheels via a three-speed gear change. The 1929 Chevrolet model line was named the International, with attractive styling under the direction of Harley Earl and featured a revised radiator cowling, bullet-shaped headlamps, wider single-belt moldings and one-piece crown fenders. Chevrolet offered a wide range of bodywork, including a roadster, phaeton, coupe, cabriolet and sedan. With the Great Depression still some way off, sales of the 1929 models remained strong and a total of 1,328,605 were built, of which around 73,918 came out of Canada and a number of these were earmarked for Australia.