1930 Chevrolet Sport Phaeton

The term “Phaeton” was used to describe a light, open car, with minimal coachwork. A Phaeton differs from a convertible in having no winding or sliding windows in the doors or the body, and no permanent roof. The standard engine is the 194 cubic-inch “Stovebolt” 6-cylinder, rated at 50 horsepower.

For 1930, Chevrolet had 7 body styles including the Phaeton. It was the first year for hydraulic shock absorbers, made by Delco-Lovejoy. The fuel gauge was moved from the fuel tank to the dashboard. Brakes were revised to provide internal expanding “water-proof” brakes in the front and rear.

Background story from the owner: “This 1930 Chevy was purchased in 1972 by my father, Allen Crowley, for $25. He saw it at a gas station on a truck headed to the scrapyard. He had the driver take it to a barn on the farm where Mom could not see it. The car had been in a rear-end collision and had extensive damage.

A good friend and I drug it to the farm shop a year or so later and started to work on it. We soon lost interest, but dad had gotten involved and began the slow process of finding and making parts. With some help from me on weekends and friends in body shops, getting top bows from the Amish and a lot of patience, it was road worthy in 1978.”

On loan to the museum from Ed Crowley