Chevrolet Series AD Universal

The Chevrolet Series AD Universal or Chevrolet Universal AD is a Chevrolet car which began sales in 1930. Available in a variety of body types including as a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan and a delivery van. Total production was down due to the Wall Street Crash of 1929 while 864,243 were manufactured and 39,773 came from Oshawa.[1] The seven-millionth Chevrolet since 1912 was built May 28, 1930 at Flint Assembly[1]

Chevrolet Series AD Universal
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet (General Motors)
Also calledChevrolet Universal
Model years1930
Assembly
Body and chassis
Body style
LayoutFR layout
PlatformGM A platform
RelatedOakland Six
Pontiac Series 6-30B
Powertrain
Engine194 cu in (3.2 L) OHV 6-cylinder
Dimensions
Wheelbase107 in (2,717.8 mm)
Length156 in (3,962.4 mm)
Curb weight2,195–2,625 lb (996–1,191 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorChevrolet Series AC International
SuccessorChevrolet Series AE Independence

History

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1930 Chevrolet Truck

The Series AD was launched as replacement for the 1929 Series AC models. Sales dropped by over 200,000 to 640,980 vehicles for the year.[2]

The AD retained the new "stovebolt" overhead valve 194 cubic inches (3.2 L) six-cylinder engine from the Series AC, but with bigger intake valves and smaller exhaust valves, along with a new manifold, raised power from 46 hp (34 kW) to 50 hp (37 kW). The suspension now included hydraulic shock absorbers and the fuel gauge was moved from the tank to the dash panel, along with an angled, non-glare windshield and new instrument gauges with circular shapes and black faces, smaller 19" wheels using wire spokes while hickory spoke wheels were now optional. The previous Imperial Sedan was replaced with the Special Sedan, which separated the name and image from top level Cadillac, while the process of dedicating one body style to Chevrolet factories continued.[1] In 1930, Chevrolet bought the Martin-Parry Body Company who supplied chassis and passenger compartment trucks with a factory-installed bed.[3] In May 1925 the Chevrolet Export Boxing plant at Bloomfield, New Jersey was repurposed from a previous owner where Knock-down kits for Chevrolet, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac passenger cars, and both Chevrolet and G. M. C. truck parts are crated and shipped by railroad to the docks at Weehawken, New Jersey for overseas GM assembly factories.[1]

Factory of origin[1]
codecitybody style
1ADFlint Assembly2-door 2-passenger Roadster
2ADTarrytown Assembly2-door 2-passenger Sport Roadster w/2-passenger rumbleseat
3ADSt. Louis Assembly4-door 5-passenger Phaeton
5ADKansas City Assembly2-door 2-passenger Coupe
5ADKansas City Assembly2-door 2-passenger Cabriolet w/2-passenger rumbleseat
6ADOakland Assembly2-door 2-passenger Sport Coupe w/2-passenger rumbleseat
8ADLakewood Assembly2-door 5-passenger Coach
9ADNorwood Assembly4-door 5-passenger Club Sedan
12ADBuffalo Assembly4-door 5-passenger Sedan
21ADJanesville Assembly4-door 5-passenger Special Sedan

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Kimes, Beverly R. (1996). Clark, Henry A. (ed.). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1945. Kraus Publications. pp. 283–302. ISBN 0873414780.
  2. ^ "1930 Chevrolet Series AD Universal". How Stuff Works. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  3. ^ "The first Chevrolet Truck". Live About.com. Dotdash. Retrieved 18 May 2021.