Chevrolet Light Six

The Chevrolet Series L Light Six was an American car produced by Chevrolet in 1914 and 1915. The Chevrolet 'Bow Tie' emblem debuted in 1914 and has been used on all Chevrolet cars and trucks since. When the Classic Six ceased production at the end of the 1914 model year the Light Six replaced it in 1915 as Chevrolet's top-of-the-line offering.

Chevrolet Series L Light Six
Overview
Manufacturer	Chevrolet
Production	1914–1915
Assembly	Flint Assembly, Flint, Michigan
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size car
Body style	5 passenger, 4-door touring
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	271 in3 35 hp, L head I6
Transmission	Rear-mounted selective sliding 3-speed, with a cone clutch
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.0 in (2,845 mm)
Chronology
Predecessor	Chevrolet Series C Classic Six
Successor	Chevrolet Series D

Features

1914 Chevrolet Light Six Engine Compartment

The L Series used a Sterling six-cylinder L-head engine rated at 35 bhp and an Autolite electric starter. A cone-style clutch was mounted to the engine with a drive shaft that was connected to a rear-end mounted selective sliding 3-speed transmission. The car used a 3/4 floating type rear suspension with 34 in × 4 in (860 mm × 100 mm) tires.^[1]

The L Series was a 5-passenger four-door touring car and cost US$1,475 ($44,867 in 2023 dollars ^[2]). It was competitive with the Buick Six in both size and price.^[1]

Available body colors were Chevrolet Blue or Gunmetal Grey. The hood, radiator, and fenders were all painted black. The chassis and wheels were blue. Also included was light grey pinstriping on the wheel spokes and hood vents.^[3][4]

Series L production ran from 1914 through 1915. Chevrolet Motor Company records indicate approximately 1000 were made.

Surviving example

The only known surviving Light Six is a 1914 model displayed in the GM Heritage collection museum. It was previously owned by a member of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America, Pinky Randall, also known as "Mr. Chevrolet", before he sold it to the museum.^[5]

References

1. Kimes, Beverly R. (1996). Clark, Henry A. (ed.). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805-1945. Kraus Publications. pp. 283–302. ISBN 0873414780.
2. 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.
3. Vaughan, Daniel (August 2010). "1914 Chevrolet Series L". conceptcarz. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
4. Gunnell, John (2011). Standard Catalog of Chevrolet, 1912-2003: 90 Years of History, Photos, Technical Data, and Pricing. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-1440230516.^{[page needed]}
5. Holladay, Cheryl (September 27, 2012). "Randall's 'Light Six' continues his love of all things Chevy". The Houghton Lake Resorter. Retrieved December 5, 2019.