The Chevrolet 490 was designed to compete with the Ford Model T. While there were no where near the same number produced and the 490 was only made from 1916-1922 it is a deserving car in it's own right. There are many Model Ts still in existance today. So, I have been wondering in the year and a half since acquiring mine, a 1917 Chevrolet 490 Touring (built in St. Louis, MO), just how many 490s are still out there? In that year and a half I have seen approx. 16 other 490s from all years. My question to you VCCA members is if you own a 490 tell us a little about it. Year, Body Style, where built, etc. Would be interesting to see how many, high or low, are still around. Running or not.

Thank you for your time,
Gary

Have 1920 "490" touring made in Canada. Purchased the car in Canada several years ago. Drove the car around before purchasing it. Presently started restoring car. Plan on repainting,new top, interior, replating parts and any other items that require attention.

My boss has 7 490 touring cars at the present in his collection..1916-keeping,1917-for sale,1918-may part out,1919-keeping,1920-may part out,1920-keeping,1921-keeping.He would like to find a nice 20,21,or 22 490 roadster.He would also trade up for such a roadster if someone wants to make some money and still have an old car to tinker with and drive.

Hello All, Proud to report there are two 490 tourings in S.W.
Louisiana. A 1922(mine) and a 1918 which belongs to a family friend. Dex

As to my knowledge there may be only around 300 possible restorable or running 490s left totally of all the several 100.000s. Our 490s are very special and rare today.

Let's keep the running!

If my memory serves correctly, I believe I saw total production figures on the web for the Chevrolet 490 1916-1922 total production at a little over 600,000 vehicles. Though I can't for the life of me remember which site it was.
Thanks to all who took the time to tell us about their 490. I can't help but believe there must be more out there.

Solan, where did you get the figure that around 300 490s are still out there? It sounds like a realistic figure. Thank you for the info.

regards,
Gary

Chevrolet records in the mid Twenties show the total production of the Chevrolet cars and trucks since the beginning in April 1912 with the Model Little Four to reach the one million mark on Washington B-day, February 22, 1923.
If you subtract the large Chevrolets (D,F,FA,FB,& T) = about 100,000 units. Subtracting about 30,000 Model H's and 4000 for others 1912-14 models and about 200,000 Superior/UE gives about 665,000 to 667,000 units.
kenK

Thanks for the valuable information about our 490s, Ken.

My comment to around 300 totally is certainly a guess. But I imagine the main remaining part of 490s (in any condition) is concentrated in USA and Canada, and clearly that majority would most probably be belonging to VCCA members. Still that is a minor number.

Adding together the very few left overs in Nordic countries (Norway 9), GB and remaining Europe + the Oceania + South America have led to my conclusion, but as I say: It is only a guess.

Our 490-models are extremely rare compared with the production numbers and all the numerous, remaining T-F**Ds. To their excuse it is possible to buy a T-F**D in NORS parts, but it will cost, of course!

So, let's show them to all the world. Drive and forget about the silly comments about which year this F**D is.

If my assumption is near to the truth each 490 has had a survival % of only 0.00045. So take good care of your precious 490!

Hi Gary

My 1922 490 Touring was built in St. Louis. It is not restored, except a repaint probably 1988 and a new top probably 1995. The car was imported to England 1990. I bought the car 2006 and had it shipped to Sweden.

On the torpedo is a plate from "AACA Spring Meet, Eastern division, June 1963" On the plate there is the logo for "Chemung Valley Region, NY". Unfortunately that is almost all I know about the history of the car in the US.

In Sweden I know just one more running and 4-5 restorable. So I guess there are less then ten 490's left in Sweden.

How many 490 owners have a Mason engine? Both block and head Mason.

During Classic Car Week in Rättvik/Sweden 2007 I was offered a Mason engine by a man nearby, but I did not complete the trade.

Is Mason written on the engine or what? Have not discovered any here.

I have not had the car out recently, but I know the block is marked Mason and fairly sure the head is also.

There are at least 40 or more 490's in Australia, with at least 15 on the road. One of my mates has 4 and another mate has 2.
You guys are lucky, try looking for parts for an Amesbury with only 8 known world wide
Chris

You are lucky too to to have so many 490s running and plenty of roads for all 40 as well.

I certainly understand the dispair of spare parts for your Amesbury model. Hope we all can contribute to the search if possible.

Solan,

I see you have seen that beautiful 1922 490 roadster on eBay. Have to add that roadster, the celebrity owned touring, and about 4 more tourings that popped up on eBay in the last 4 months. Wondering if your earlier estimate of 300 490s remaining is a little on the low side?

Cheers,
Gary

Nothing could be better than coming nearer to 400. But the "survival" percentage is still extremely low, about 0,000006 % (400:665000) and the available parts in some of the same bad situation.

We have to stick together and help other 490 owners as much as possible to keep them running. Let's do that, folks! Let's show the T-F**D people we still are around and on the roads.

Hi Gents

I have been playing with 490's in Australia for more than 20 years and have traked down as many leads on cars and owners as I could find while trying to restore my 1916 Chevy 490 Roadster. While there are remains of parts of 490's scattered across Australia my records show at best just 20 cars or enough of a car that could be restored left. From these 22 cars from 1916 to 1922 that are left there are only 9 or 10 of these that are running and even these are not rallied or torued on a regular basis because of the fragile nature of the car and the limited parts here in Australia.
I would be happy if Chris and I could compare our records on the 490's left in AUS because he may have found some that I was not aware of.

Hello, Dave, Nice to read your information.

One of the main reasons I unfortunately believe there are so few left is that there are sooooo little parts available or offered all around the world. We even have to rely on NORS T-F**D production of equal items, but limited to such as ring gear, pinions, wheel bolts, steering parts + a little extra.

F.ex. we have looked for several years to find fenders and springs for a 1919 roadster, but they will have to be new made by hand, as it seems now.

Hopefully there are enough parts left for us to play/drive another 10 - 15 years. That is my preferences. Keep running the 490s.

There are about a dozen complete or roadworthy 490s in New Zealand that I know of and at least as many again unrestored projects of varying completeness including my 1918. A previously unknown unrestored barn find 1916 tourer turned up a few years. A genuine 490 speedster was found in NZ some years ago and restored by Denis Belch but I believe this is now in the US (was featured in the VCCA mag some years ago). Spare parts are virtually none existant down here so we search ebay in vain or manufacture what we need.

Dave (twin 4) and I have compared notes and came up with 13 running and 11 under restoration, I'm sure there are more but my memory has faded somewhat, Dave and I will keep thinking and update our list accordingly
Chris

Keep on digging minds and earth.

Till now there are 490s in following countries:

USA, Canada, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden and Norway.

Anybody knowing about owners/cars in other countries, such as England, Denmark, Germany, South America, etc.?

Solan,

I have an old Filling Station catalog from 2007 and on page 19 is a 490 from what I think to be a very early 1918. The caption says it is owned by Gary Arnold in South Africa. Very nice looking restoration too.
Keep the stories coming!

Cheers,
Gary

Thanks. Good working. I hope it still is there. Somewhat later I will check the roster of VCCA too to find out more.

Hi would he happen to have a radiator forsale for a 1916 chevy model 490?

Micky

Micky,

There is a Chevrolet honeycomb radiator and shroud on eBay right now. The item #380154277584. The auction ends the night of Sept. 6th and the opening bid price is $400. Hope this was of help.

Cheers,
Gary

Check out ebay 120463973657 to see if that one might be what you are seeking.

Is the engine on a 22 490 Utility Coupe green or black. Thank you.

I do not have any factory information on this, but would think all engines used for 490 models were painted in the gray-green color to save time and storage.

May be someone else can confirm my presumption?

A very timely question for me also as I will be building a 1919 motor this winter.
The filling station lists their dark green for 24-28 only.
The parts book photo of a block suggests black.

I will send the question to Ken Kaufmann. He should know for certain, what color to be used to the engines of 490s.

I am glad you asked this question. I too am restoring a 29 6 Cylinder motor and would like to know the colors for that engine also. Hope you don't mind me tagging my question on to yours.
Thanks

The paint on the 4-cylinder cars is available through the Filling Station.

The 6-cylinder paint is different than the 4-cylinder and is also available from the Filling station.

Both colors of paint are verified correct from the Filling Station.

I have not got any reply yet, but will search again to find out if the 490 also was or could be delivered with black painted engine, not only the grey/green, (supplied today by The Filling Station, Lebanon/OR).

The engine color for 6-cyl. from 1929 was grey/blue.

I sent an email to the filling station who confirmed their dark green (their name) engine paint is for 1924-28 only.
I have reviewed my photos of 490's in museums and the engines are always painted black.
I drive by the museum in Elkhorn Manitoba 4 times a year, they have a 1916, two 1919, a 1921 and a 1923 (and a V8). Unfortunately they closed for the winter Sept 30th so it is a job for the spring.
Of course there is alway the chance that Canadian production was different as I have found with headlamp rings and dash gauges.

I see you are a member of the VCCA, so, contact your TA.

He is listed in your G&D.

ronsuperior & langer,


I ran across this engine paint chart for early Chevrolets.

1912-1914 6 Cyl. Black
1914-1923 4 Cyl. Gray
1924-1928 4 Cyl. Dark Green (Gray-Green)
1929-1936 209 Cid Blue Gray


I hope this was of help.

Gary

Thanks, Vintage. I gather it is not a color chart you have the information from, but a writing. Nevertheless a valuable information. Is the information coming from the maker or what?

Solan,

Hello, it is not a color chart, but a chart I found on the internet while searching for some early Chevrolet information. I copied the info exactly as you see it on the Forum. The chart went onto later years, but I just kept it relative to our early years.

Gary

Thanks for the info. Do you remember where you found the color info on the web? It sounds interesting.

It would be very nice if you could tell the link to this information, Vintage.

ronsuperior & Solan,

Here is the website for the Engine Colors.

www.cs.siena.edu/%7Elederman/truck/Documents/danroyEngineColors/danroyVCCAcolor.html

Gary

Excellent job! Thanks a lot, Vintage. A lot of GM/Chevrolet information on the home page as well:

http://1954advance-design.com/

But I could not find his email adress?

Well, we can add another Chevrolet 490 to our running total. This one I discovered yesterday when I stopped by the shop that replaced the top on my 490 a couple years ago. I went in to speak with the owner who was on the phone so I look around the shop and low and behold, there in the corner is a 1918 Chevrolet 490. A nice surprise in great condition too I might add. She is awaiting for a new set of bows made by someone in California and then the top put on in Berwyn, Illinois. The shop owner was busy so I didn't get all the details, but certainly was a sight to behold!

Cheers,
Gary

Wow!

That is great and exciting news...

Actually, it is exciting news for the 490 owner that is in search of a set of top bows. I spoke with the shop owner the other day and he said the new bows are almost ready for shipping to Illinois. If any 490 owners out there are interested in these reproduction top bows you can send me a PM and I will get the information for you. As far as the top material, you can see the fine craftsmanship that was done on a 1917 Chevrolet 490 by Ogden Top & Trim in the current issue (August) of Hemmings Classic Car magazine on page 70. I have no vested interest in either of these shops just passing on the excellent work that was done. Enjoy the article.

Cheers,
Gary

My Dad has a 21 490 touring with 10k original miles. Car was last plated in 1930, but may have been driven till 33 without plates.(times were tough then)It still has the NRA (National Recovery Act)sticker in the windshield. The car was stored in a barn in Gosport, IN and was still owned by the original owner as of the mid 70s when she went into a nursing home. We got everything with the car including the tire chains in the bag, tools, paperwork, sidecurtains and the duster was still sitting on the front seat. Truly a time machine! We got it home and after bypassing the bad starter switch put in gas and a battery and she fired right up and ran great although the muffler blew apart into "dust" all over the garage floor. She still needs some work on the fenders and the interior and top put on but the rest is almost done if we ever get time to work on it.

There is a 1921 490 Touring body on eBay right now. There is the body minus the hood and front fenders. The sheet metal looks very usable and includes the top bows. If someone out there is in search of a body or needs some good sheet metal to help complete their 490 this maybe it. The item #260704317539. Hope this was of help for someone.

Cheers,
Gary

I recently got a chance to watch The Spirit of St. Louis with Jimmy Stewart from 1957. About 35-40 minutes into the film while the movie set was on an airstrip I noticed in the background a Chevrolet 490 Touring! Not too often do you find a 490 in old films. It was in a couple shots and appeared to be either a 1920, '21 or '22. I saw it on satellite so I could not replay it to check more features. An excellent film from a time period we all enjoy.

Cheers,
Gary

Great movie, great actor, great car!

Time to invest in a DVR...

Well I have one! Mine has been in my family since 1973, it is no where near a show car. It is a 1921 with electric start. It needs paint and a top, but, it runs great! It was the first car sold at the dealership that my grandfather worked at for 50 years. I even have pics of it from 1921!

Hi Wes W , and welcome to the VCCA chatter11, That sounds like a nice car to have with all that family history. You are off to a flying start here at the website with 8 Postings today already!!

Why thank you! My grandfather sold Chevy for 50 years from 1955-2005 at Clippinger Chevrolet in Covina. He was the top Chevy car salesman in the country for a number of years selling about 200-500 units per month out of his office alone. I have a lot of neat Chevrolet stuff that was his through the years! Including the '21! I am a member of VCCA and have been for about 6 years, but, I discovered the website a while ago, and I guess stuff switched over and my username and password were no longer good, so, I re-registered again! My family and I have owned almost every major Chevy product over the past 56 years! I am a big fan of Chevy and Buick! I am buying an '88 Chevy Corsica tomorrow with only 70k and it looks like brand new!

What a lovely family story. I really hope you could spend some time writing some of the story for printing in G&D.

The reason I bought my 490 was: My grandgrand father bought one in 1919 and my father learnt to drive it and got his drivers licence in 1930. Think about being 18 years and be able to drive a car in those days? In my childhood and youth I was "driving" for hours in the machine shed at the farm in my summer holidays.

Hey Wes, Can you do me a favor? I have a 21 490 touring with 15,000 miles and my has a 21 490 with 10,000 miles. He is the second owner. The deal is the top on mine had been replaced and is tacked along the body below the rear windows. Dads top and side curtains are original and I have the side curtains here to duplicate but forgot to look at how the top is supposed to fasten to the body at the rear. It would have been tough to do anyway since his top is folded up and stuffed under the car at the rear and the garage is totally stuffed plus the long drive to get there. Can't get back there to see anything with out moving a bunch of stuff. Question is what type fasteners are used Ones called "Lift the dot" and are stamped on the part that goes on the top, OR the Murphy type which has the twist knob that passes through an oval hole? Does you 21 still have the original top on it?

I have no idea if things changed between 1916 and 1921, but my July '16 car has the Murphy type across the top of the back, and the oval holes in the top. The top was replaced in 1963, but they kept the original linen lining, and I'm guessing they wouldn't have changed the attachment type. The Murphys are definitely OLD.

Come to think of it, my '25 Roadster also had Murphys holding it down in the back. So there's 1916 and 1925, with 1921 squarely in the middle.

no unfortunately the top rotted away, I remember it was on the car when I was a kid about 20 years ago, and then the next time it was gone, so, my grandfather probably got rid of it. But, it is garaged so there is no rush to get a top. I did get caught in the rain one day on the way back from the cemetery were my grandfather is... That was quite a ride! I have owned the car for over 6 years. My grandma gave it to me because she "didnt want that junker!"

can anyone tell me how the front pulley comes off a 22 baby grand engine (490)? also one of rear cam lobes is really rusted. How do I go about repair on that?

Bob

Hi Bobn,
Here is a link to a previous post on removing the front pulley.
You will probably need to have the cam lobe welded, and reground and hardened by a special cam shaft regrinder.

http://vcca.org/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/210371/Re_1922_FB#Post210371

The current total I have for 490s (1916-1922) is approximately 77 cars with about half this number residing in Australia and New Zealand. This number I have tallied from people who have wrote on this post of their cars and cars they know about. And 490s of people that I know and cars that I have seen in museums. My latest 490 find was of an early 1917 Touring in a private collection in Portland, TN. I was able to see the car last weekend and currently it is not open to the public. The car is in original unrestored condition on the rough side, but a real time capsule! She clearly has a Mason cylinder head (the head has Mason on top in between the center pushrods), but I don't believe the block is though (I did not see Mason on the block, but not sure where it would be located if it was). The block date was a bit dirty, but appeared to be 121816 or 121316. Very few items were missing from the car, that including: the shifter knob, the rear hub caps, the bronze balls from the tops of the spark plugs, and had a later style coil and condenser installed. The car appeared to have been sitting for 50 plus years, but with a little work I believe it will run again with the shape it's in. The car had the original battery cables with the rusty battery box in place (it appears we were all wrong about the bottom plate of the battery box. It is neither flat nor one hole in the center. I will try to blow up my photos to see a clearer picture). The car did not have safety glass, an oil can on the firewall, nor side mirrors (I still am not sure what an original style mirror looks like for a 490). This certainly is all food for thought.

Cheers,
Gary

I have become convinced of several things about the very early cars - all of the 1916s, maybe even into early 1917.

First, there is no mirror supplied by the factory, and none in the early Parts Book.

I have half-a-dozen pre-August 1916 cars that have absolutely no provision for checking the oil pressure - no sight gauge / drip gauge, nor pressure gauge; and no evidence there ever was one. This is kind of surprising because obviously it is pretty vital, and the earlier 1914-15 Model H's had a drip sight gauge. This must have been another of the efforts to built the car to a price.

Finally, I got a phone call yesterday and became aware of another early 1917 touring, also in Tennessee, but on the other side of the state. It is for sale, the owner was trying to get accurate information about what he has. Also has been sitting for about 45 years, but it runs and is pretty darn well preserved. The guy wants to ask $10,000, if anybody is interested let me know and I'll put you in touch. This car has an engine casting date of Dec. 26, 1916. It seemed odd to me that they would be casting engines on the day after Christmas, but I looked on a 1916 calendar, and Christmas fell on a Monday that year - so they had already had their 3 day weekend!

Don,

Thank you for clearly up the side mirror question for me.

Another question about the '17 that I found is the purpose of the half moon blocks that are in the door jams, one above the latch and one below? Are they just alignment blocks for when the door is closed? I checked my 490 and they are gone, but the mounting holes are there for them. On the ends of the doors you can see the half moon slots that these blocks would fit into when the door is closed. Perhaps, they kept the doors in alignment as the car traveled those rough roads back then as the body and frame flexed when in the ruts of the road? On today's roads I can feel the body flex when entering or exiting a steep driveway. Even without those blocks I have never had a door pop open when the body flexed.

Now for the '17 Touring that found you will bring it to 78 cars.

Cheers,
Gary

Hi Guys

I have just had my 1916 490 Chev Roadster on the latest Chev 4 Tour here in Australia and other than the poor weather for 3 days the little car ran sweet. My 16 also had no oil sight gauge which makes driving a little unsure when you don't know if the plunger pump is working or not. Thanks to Jim Karne from Oregon one of his spare parts car wrecks that he has in the yard had an aftermarket original era oil sight gauge. He was kind enough to part with the item and the complete gauge with lines and with a little oil tank that sits ontop of the pump and has a lever that comes thru the floor so it can be primed when driving if the pump fails.
A fantastic addition to the dash and nice to know that the oil pump is working.
You can add another early 1916 Chev Tourer parts car to the list hear in Australia. Although very rough and missing the tub hear in Oz we start from worse so if there is another 490 tragic with way too much money and lots of time then you may be interested. Amazing to see these early Chevys coming out.

Gary, they used the half moon pieces you are talking about until at least 1925 on the open cars.

And while on the 6 Cyl. Tour in Virginia last month we visited a car museum at Luray Caverns, VA. They have a 490 displayed that is labeled as a "1915." But it has an operating driver's door, demountable wheels and other features that tell me it is a 1917. (I tried to find somebody to talk to about it during our visit, but could not.) So there's one more.

Twin4, that's great that you have your '16 out cruising! This winter, I want to get mine sorted so next year it can do some serious driving, too. And one thing I will do is find an oil sight gauge, for sure.

We have reached 14 or 15 of 490s in different conditions here in Norway now. Half of them in possible running order. Solan is the "only" one from 1916 in the Nordic countries, as far as we know yet. He is originally an Aussie, not imported new to Norway. The small numbers of 490s totally and specially 1916-1918 in our countries are mainly due to the Great war and German subs.

My grand grand father bought his Chevrolet 490 in 1919 and as it cost a bit more than a T-F**D and he could afford it, he might have considered his buy to show a higher standard in the village.

I have a 1918 490 Touring that I have had for about 3 years now. It is in running condition and was restored about 40 years ago and has been in storage for about 35 years. It needs tlc, They were using the space the 490 was in to store other items and has some scars from it.

Hi
I am working on a register on 490s i Sweden. Now I have reached 16 in different conditions, and I have spotted two more. Only my own is running regularly. A couple of them seems to be very difficult restauration projects. A couple of them are restored but in a way that you cannot state production year. The rest needs more or less renovation, so I would say that it is not impossible to reach ten, maybe twelve, quite fine, running 490s in Sweden.

Most of them are 1919 or 1920, maybe one 1918 plus a couple of 1922. Like Solan writes, no 1916-17. All are Touring, maybe there is one runabout project. Most of them has the steering wheel to the right. Most of them has the SIMMS magneto.

Gary
I can send you about 8-10 photos of restored Australian 490's and some original.
Also I have over 30 photos of US 490's in my photo files.
If you give me your email address I'll send them all to you.
Although I don't have a 490 (I have a 15 Amesbury Special) I'm into early Chevs and it's good to see someone who's willing to carry out the near impossible task of getting a list of the known ones together.
There is one original 1916 Aus import with 1915 casting dates, also one that was imported to Aus about 10 years ago that has 1915 casting dates.
The H series blokes have a list of all the known H series Chevs about 30 odd
Chris

I am in Hershey. Today I learned of a 1917 touring in eastern PA, running, non-VCCA member, trying to recruit him. Also learned of a 1916 touring in SC, I am trying to learn more, maybe for sale, not running. Trying to verify some numbers and the year. So there's 2 more...

I just realized I am signed in as my wife - I have her coputer with me! This is actually ChevyGuru...... sorry.

Hi Guys,

I would be more than happy to compile a list of 490s. Right now we are looking at approximately 105 cars worldwide. I know there are more.

If you guys that are 490 owners (running or not) could send me a PM of:
Your name, city & state (or city & country)
Year of car, body style and place of manufacture (if known)
And Engine block date (if possible)

For Museums that you know have a 490. Please provide:
The museum name, city & state (or city & country)
Year of car, body style
(I will try to contact the museum for the other information)

This way we all will have more accurate information on cars still in existence which will better help us all.
Once compiled, which may take a year as cars trickle in, I could print out copies for those interested and/or post figures here on the Forum.

Thank you all for your time and consideration,
Gary

I can ask the Norwegian and Swedish people having 490s. Hope fully they will reply in some time.

Here are my lates pictures of Solan:
http://s889.photobucket.com/albums/ac98/solan1916/solan%20clutch%20-%20gear%20box/

Front left to right:

starter, fly wheel, hose to feed oil to collar
clutch collar w/ oil hose filling through lid
clutch collar released. Use a wooden stick to keep the pedal down
clutch hub drive ring secured. I had to drill holes and use a steel tread, as you can see.
gear box side filling

I will show you a NORS clutch collar and a really worn out in the next pictures.

Gary -

Just a thought - in collecting this data, it would be extremely useful to have the Flywheel stamped number, especially for the 1916 & 1917's, many of which have no Car Serial Number (and sometimes no engine Casting Date). In those cases, the Flywheel number is the only relevant piece of data.

I know I'm asking for a lot, but in perfect world we would want to track:

(1) the Block Casting Date,
(2) separately the Head Casting Date,
(3) the Flywheel Number, and
(4) finally the Car Serial Number
(the number of the "Four-Ninety" Tag on the dash, firewall, or wherever it might be found in a given year.)


The problem is frequently one or more of these numbers might be absent, or changed with the changing of a Head or Block over the past 90+ years. The more data, the more reliable our records and conclusions.

I will certainly volunteer to help anyone understand where these numbers can be found. All of them are easily visible without taking anything apart. Sometimes covered by dirt or grease.

O.K. Gentlemen,

There you have it from the ChevyGuru himself! The more numbers you provide the better. It is important for you and the VCCA Club as a whole. This will only work if everyone gets their input. We don't want to leave any 490s and their owners out. Guys, you can send me your information in a PM or send to my email address: ferretrushotmail

Information is already being compiled.
Thanks,
Gary

I will give the details about Solan (1916) here as an example:

(1) the Block Casting Date, # 4516 H
(2) separately the Head Casting Date, sorry, have to search first, but I also have an engine # 26195
(3) the Flywheel Number,(chassis # on 1916) 1499266 R
(4) finally the Car Serial Number
(1916 does not have a car Serial #, but my car has a body # instead?, stamped into the wood, at bottom of "missing" front door - right side on a RHD): H 20354,
and another detail:

spring date stamped: April 1916. Detail given to me by Roger Dunstan, but at the moment I cannot tell where he found it.

So what information to collect???
Options on the car???
Accessories from correct period???

Restored/unrestored?

Picture(s)?

Please bare with me, I just bought this 1921 490 sedan. The block has 327773 H4P 9 and D52. The head has 327772 and B214. As far as the car number goes. I have two plates that were in a folder. ( the car is dismantled when I bought it) The plates say 490 car # 1A30660. The other plate has Chevrolet Model 490 Car # A 72623. I hope this helps. If you can let me know what all this means it would help me with my research on the car. Thanks, Paul

This is under correction from others!



1922-24 Block # 327773; cast by Romeo Foundry, Port Huron, Michigan on April 5th 1922. The # 327772 head was cast February 21st 1924 and could have a CWC, SPC foundry mark for Campbell Wyatt and Canon, Muskegon, or Saginaw Products Co, Saginaw.





Flint-built 1921 Model 490



I think it's a 1922 490 Superior, but the initial plant code is missing. I think it can only be a 1, 3 or 5 for Flint, St Louis or Kansas City Plants though I know of plates where the plant code has not been stamped for some reason!

just recently found this site. i have a 1917 490 that is a "driver". it runs great. i am in columbia, tn.
apressnellatt

Hello Aprock , post a photo of your "driver" if and when you get the chance...we'd love to see it...! Kevin

Kevin,

You and others might want to check Aprock's previous post with a picture and video of the 490 when it arrived home via transport truck.

I cannot let the opportunity go. It is fantastic and very encouraging that this thread has reached ten thousand views in only three years.

Thanks, folks for all input, information, funny stories and happiness we have been experiencing. Stay on!

Get the Four-Ninety up and running!

I'm not real good with computers, how do i put a picture in a post?
thx,
AP

Go to the top of the forum page and click on "FAQ" on the top right of the tool bar. On the next page click on "How do I add an image to my message?"

OK, lets see if this works, i put some pictures on Flicker.
Let me know if y'all can view them.

http://www.flickr/photos/75173125N07/

I will try to get some better pictures in better lighting than my shop.

APROCK

Sorry, I am not able to reach and open the link.

[email]http://www.flickr/photos/75173125N07/[/email]

Nice car. You have done quite a lot of work already. Coming back to more comments later. Strange that the wooden steering wheel is said to be painted black. They are varnished in Norway, and it looks like yours is too.

Glad you were able to view the pictures.
ap

I have made some comments to your pictures. You have come a long way already. Very nice and neat work!!!

I saw pictures of your car. Its a beauty!

Thanks a lot! We also think he is nice looking, but he cannot be told it all the time. He will turn more bragging, just like Sonny
Duckworth, his name brother:
Sonny Duckworth is the early bird (magpie) personified, casually hatched in a weeping willow on the banks of the Aven. He is a born optimist with hand-knit muffler, felt galoshes and rather indifferent morals. Difficulties he treats as trifles, the impossible as a challenge.

Just like a four-ninety, I think.