Chassis No. H13776

The Four-Ninety is a highly significant automobile in Chevrolet history, representing the first salvo of a war with Ford that has continued to the present day. A direct challenger to the Model T, it offered a standard convertible top and windshield, and a slightly peppier overhead-valve four cylinder engine with exposed valve train, both notable improvements over the 'Tin Lizzie,' at a competitive price of $490.

Jim Taylor's Four-Ninety was acquired in October 2010 from the estate of Gloria Nouk of Virginia; while there is no documentation to prove the fact, Ms Nouk was reportedly only its third owner, who reportedly resided in the same neighborhood as the first and second owners. The car remains a fascinating preservation piece, still with its factory-applied paint and upholstery throughout, and complete down to the front license plate bracket, decal radiator emblem, and the rests for the folded top. The top itself is believed to be original, based on its painted grommets and even the presence of original leather securing straps, and the original plate glass is still in the windshield.

Within, the wooden floorboards are still in place, with linoleum covering the front, as are the original running boards. Apparently the car was specified with what a modern manufacturer might term 'speedometer/odometer delete,' as neither was fitted, with a blanking plate in their place. Under the hood is in similarly astonishing original order, with a horn in place alongside the original Zenith carburetor and ignition wires; only the radiator hoses and hose clamps appear to have been replaced. Dual rear Rocky Mountain-style brakes bring everything safely to a halt.

This is undoubtedly among the very best-preserved examples of the Chevrolet Four-Ninety, and would be welcomed in the AACA's Historic Preservation of Original Features class or into any Bow Tie collection.