Chevrolet Series D

Chevrolet Series D
1918 Series D Touring
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet (General Motors)
Production1917–1918
Model years1918
Assembly(main plant)
Flint Assembly, Flint, Michigan (1315 produced)
(branch assembly)
Oakland Assembly, Oakland, California
North Tarrytown Assembly, Tarrytown, New York (3324 produced)
Norwood Assembly, Norwood, Ohio
St. Louis Assembly, St. Louis, Missouri
Ft. Worth Assembly, Ft. Worth, Texas
Oshawa Assembly, Oshawa, Ontario Canada (194 produced)
Body and chassis
RelatedChevrolet Series 490
Chevrolet Series FA
Powertrain
Engine288 cu in (4.7 L) V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase120 in (3.05 m)
Curb weight3,150–3,200 lb (1,429–1,451 kg)
Chronology
PredecessorChevrolet Light Six
SuccessorChevrolet Series M Copper-Cooled (market position)[1]

The Chevrolet Series D is an American automobile produced by Chevrolet for the 1918 model year. It was the first, and for many years, the only Chevrolet car available with a V8 engine; a V8 would not appear again until 1955.[1] Over 4,000 Series D cars were manufactured.[2]

Models

The series came in two body styles, a 4-door 5-passenger Touring Sedan Model D-4 and a 2-door 4-passenger Roadster Model D-5. The only difference between the Touring Sedan and the Roadster was the Roadster had a "dual-cowl" approach[clarification needed] while the Touring sedan used four doors. According to documented records, the term "Chummy Roadster" was not mentioned but may have been a marketing term added later.[1] The only standard color offered was Chevrolet Green with French-pleated leather interior. Both were equipped with a 20 gallon fuel tank installed in back. Mahogany was used for all visible woodwork and nickel plated brightwork. Both the touring sedan and roadster had a listed retail price of US$1,550 ($31,398 in 2023 dollars [3]) which made it a one year only product.[4]

Details

The Series D engine is a liquid-cooled, 288-cubic-inch (4.7 L) 90° V8, designed and built by Chevrolet in 1917 and subsequently by General Motors Company's new Chevrolet Division after the 1918 merger of the two firms.

The engine is capable of producing 36 hp (27 kW; 36 PS) at 2700 rpm.[5] This was Chevrolet's first V8 and one of the first overhead-valve V8 engines. (Chevrolet would not produce another V8 until the debut of the Generation I small-block in 1955.) This design had a partially exposed valvetrain (pushrods and lifters were visible) with a nickel-plated rocker cover, an aluminum water-cooled intake manifold. The starter is in the valley of the block, as well as the gear driven generator with the fan clutch coming off of it. The gear driven generator runs the distributor as well. The belt in the front drove only the water pump. It had a 50 lb (23 kg) flywheel and a counterbalanced crankshaft. Bore and stroke was 3.375 in × 4 in (85.7 mm × 101.6 mm) with three main bearings, solid valve lifters and a Zenith double-jet carburetor.[1]

  • Chevrolet Series D V-8 Engine Compartment
    Chevrolet Series D V-8 Engine Compartment
  • 1917 Chevrolet Series D V-8 Chummy Roadster
    1917 Chevrolet Series D V-8 Chummy Roadster
  • 1917 Chevrolet Series D V-8 Chummy Roadster(rear view)
    1917 Chevrolet Series D V-8 Chummy Roadster(rear view)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Kimes, Beverly R. (1996). Clark, Henry A. (ed.). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1945. Kraus Publications. pp. 283–302. ISBN 0873414780.
  2. ^ "75 Years of Chevrolet" (PDF). GM Heritage Archive. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 1, 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  3. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  4. ^ "87 Year Old Chevy V-8!". Motorburg. 19 July 2003. Archived from the original on December 22, 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  5. ^ "1917 Chevrolet Series D Engine". GM Photo Store. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2012.