Chevrolet Series H

The Royal Mail models H-2 (1914–15) and H-2½ (1916), the Amesbury Special model H-3 (1915) and the Baby Grand model H-4 (1914–16) were American cars made by Chevrolet. It was replaced by the Chevrolet Series F in 1917.

Chevrolet Series H
1915 Chevrolet Series H-2 Royal Mail
Overview
ManufacturerChevrolet
Also calledH-2 and H-2½ Chevrolet Royal Mail Roadster
H-4 Chevrolet Baby Grand Touring
H-3 Chevrolet Amesbury Special
Production1914-1916
AssemblyFlint Assembly, Flint, Michigan
Body and chassis
Classmid-size
Body styleH-2/H-2½/H-3 2-door roadster
H-4 4-door touring
LayoutFR layout
RelatedChevrolet Light Six Series L
Powertrain
Engine171 in3 (2.80 L), 24 hp (18 kW), I4
TransmissionSelective-sliding 3-speed cone clutch[1]
Dimensions
Wheelbase104 in (2,642 mm) (1914)
106 in (2,692 mm) (1915-16)
Chronology
PredecessorChevrolet Series C Classic Six
SuccessorChevrolet Series F

Beginning
1914 Chevrolet H-4 Baby Grand

The Baby Grand was one of the first automobiles made by Chevrolet under W.C. Durant, GM's founder. It was part of his idea to build a car to compete with the very popular and affordable Ford Model T. When it first came out, it was priced at US$875 ($25,564 in 2022 dollars [2])[3] as a four-door, 5-passenger touring car[4] (a 1914 Model T touring was US$500 ($14,608 in 2022 dollars [2])).[5] A speedometer was standard.[6] One advantage over a Model T Ford was that a Baby Grand could get an electric starter[4][6] (the Model T did not get them until 1919).[7]

Models

In 1914 the Series H debuted with the H-2 Royal Mail Roadster and the H-4 5-seater Baby Grand Touring model,[8] both with a 104 in (2,642 mm) wheelbase.

In 1915, all Series H models got a longer 106 in (2,692 mm) wheelbase and larger brakes, and an electric starter was now standard.[9]

Also for 1915 Chevrolet introduced the Amesbury Special model H-3, a 3-seat roadster (similar to the Royal Mail) that sold for $985. It came painted in French grey with green patent leather interior. The standard wheels were the plain wooden spoke type, but most of the cars sold had the optional Houk wire wheels which cost $125 extra and were painted green to match the interior.[10] Sadly due to poor sales this model was dropped after only one year.

In 1916, the Royal Mail model H-2½ was introduced which was the first integral trunk for Chevrolet with gas tank in the rear between the frame rails.

The Series H models were moved upmarket when the $490 Chevrolet 490 was introduced in June 1915 to compete directly with the Ford Model T.

Total Chevrolet production for 1913 was 5,987.

References
  1. "Directory Index: Chevrolet/1916_Chevrolet/1916_Chevrolet_490_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2014-08-18.
  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 May 28, 2023.
  3. "Directory Index: Chevrolet/1914_Chevrolet/1914_Chevrolet_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  4. "1914 Chevrolet Series H Images, Information and History (Baby Grand, Royal Mail, Turtledeck Roadster, H-2, H-4, H-3)". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  5. "1914". Mtfca.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  6. "Directory Index: Chevrolet/1914_Chevrolet/1914_Chevrolet_Brochure". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  7. "1919". Mtfca.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  8. "1914 Chevrolet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-05-02.
  9. "1915 Chevrolet Series H". HowStuffWorks. 2007-08-01. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  10. "1915 Chevrolet" (PDF).
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