1913 Chevrolet Classic Six (Series C) Touring Car

Engine: Mason, inline, six-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement: 4.9 L (299 ci)
Bore and Stroke: 90.5 x 127 mm (3.6 x 5 in)
Power: 29.8 kW (40 hp)
Transmission: 3-forward, 1-reverse, manual
Weight: 1700 kg (3,747.8 lb)
Capacity: 4 passengers
Original Cost: C $3,277 (estimate)

The Chevrolet Motor Company produced their pricey Classic Six touring cars between 1911 and 1913. There are currently no known 1911 or 1912 Classic Sixes left, and there are currently only two known surviving 1913 Classic Sixes. The Classic Six in the Reynolds-Alberta Museum Collection is serial number #93, which makes it the world’s oldest known Chevrolet automobile. This model is the only production model Chevrolet never to wear the famous bow-tie emblem.

The Chevrolet Motor Company was named for Swiss-American race car driver and automotive engineer Louis Chevrolet, who partnered with William C. Durant to build automobiles. Their first design, the pricey Series C Classic Six, was penned by Etienne Planche with instructions from Chevrolet. The prototype was built in 1911, and after some improvements, they began production for sale in 1912. This model is the only production Chevrolet never to wear the famous bow-tie emblem.

Sid was on the lookout for a car when he and his friends found this Classic Six on a farmer's land near Edmonton, Alberta. He wanted his first car to be a Ford Model T, but it was out of his price range. The farmer agreed to let Sid and his friends have the Classic Six if they could get it moving. The boys had to be creative - they wrapped rope around the wheels for traction; they found the car's oil pan on the farm, where it was being used as a trough for chickens; they found the distributor in Athabasca, Alberta, but it was missing the distributor shaft, so they used a knitting needle; the gas tank was missing, so they strapped a jerry can to the back and put the lead into it. Rumour has it that this car left flames in its wake. It left a lot to be desired, but Sid and his friends loved it. Sid's parents eventually tired of looking at the Classic Six - they said it was an eyesore - and told the boys to get rid it. They tried to sell it, but no one would buy it. They gave it away, but it miraculously reappeared in their driveway the following week. At some point, it ended up at an auto wrecker, where Stan Reynolds found it in 1957. Stan was a meticulous researcher and documented every one of his finds, but this one slipped through the cracks. It was not until the Government of Alberta began examining his collection in preparation for opening the Reynolds-Alberta Museum that this car’s importance was discovered.

This Classic Six is one of the jewels of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum Collection. It is an example of an artifact that will never be restored. Its condition is such that restoring it would fundamentally mean building a replica. Furthermore, restoring this car would mean erasing Sid and Bob’s story, which is essential to its story.

Chronology:
1911 - The Chevrolet Motor Company is founded by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant.
c. 1911 - Etienne Planche pens the design for the Classic Six (Series C).
1911 - A Classic Six prototype is produced.
1912 - Classic Six production for commercial sale begins.
c. 1913 - This Classic Six #93 is produced.
1943 - Sid and Bob find this Classic Six.
1957 - Stan Reynolds acquires this Classic Six from an auto wrecker.
1985 - This Classic Six is added to the Reynolds-Alberta Museum Collection.