1912 Chevrolet Series C Classic Six. Photo from wikipedia.org

The very first Chevy, created in the automotive Brass Era, was one of the few Chevrolets that were made while Louis Chevrolet was actually with the company.

Brass Era cars are defined by the automotive manufacturing period when prominent brass fittings were used for such things as lights and radiators. This era ran until World War I when automobiles manufactured had far less brass material.

The Chevrolet Series C Classic Six was much larger, more powerful, more stylized and ultimately more expensive than the cars that would eventually replace it. Louis Chevrolet loved it, but William Durant wanted to produce a cheaper car for the public.

The Chevrolet Series C Classic Six brought technology and features that were typically reserved for more expensive luxury cars. This new car offered an electric starter and electric headlamps at a time when both were rarities among even the top line of luxury cars. It was a well constructed car and had a 6-cylinder engine up front with a cone clutch and a three-speed gearbox mounted at the rear axle.

Photo from wikicars.org

The Series C Classic Six was capable of 65 mph and competed against the more high-performance cars of that time. In addition to the electric starter, standard equipment also included four doors, a folding top, a tool box, cowl lights, and electric headlights. The following year’s 1914 Classic Six was almost identical to the 1913 model with a few very slight changes.

The design work was done under direction from Louis Chevrolet, who approved the low running boards design that resembled European cars rather than the American made cars of that period. The radiator shell and Chevrolet nameplate on the dashboard were polished metal with the body, chassis and wheels done in Chevrolet blue. The hood, fenders, and splash aprons were black. An accent of light gray striping was applied to the body and wheels.

The first prototype car appeared in late 1911 with Louis Chevrolet himself testing it on the back streets of Detroit. Refinements to the prototype’s design continued throughout 1912. Later in that same year the new 1913 model was released at the New York Auto Show.