Not long after The 1932-42 Chevrolet Car Spotter’s Guide feature appeared at Mac’s Motor City Garage, reader Joe Auricchio of East Setauket, New York checked in to volunteer his 1935 Chevy Standard Coupe for review. Naturally, we took him up on the offer. 

The ’35 Chevrolet Standard is an interesting case on several counts. Introduced in mid-1933 as the Standard Mercury line, Chevrolet’s price-leader junior series (Model EC) was a totally different car than the top-of-the-line Master De Luxe (Models ED and EA) in 1935. The Standard sported a shorter wheelbase, 107 inches versus 113, and a little less power from the 206.8 CID stovebolt six, getting along with 74 hp while the Master De Luxe was rated at 80 hp. Also, Master De Luxe models were available with GM’s Knee-Action independent front suspension (Model EA) while the Standard used a plain beam axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs in front.

1935 Chevrolet Standard Coupe left front quarter view 

The Standard for ’35 also employed totally different sheet metal. As you can see from the illustrations in the Spotter’s Guide, the Master De Luxe series grew larger and more rounded and swollen that year, following the industry trends of the moment along with stablemates Pontiac and Oldsmobile. The Master De Luxe also adopted GM’s all-steel, “Turret Top” roof and body construction. The Chevrolet Standard line, in contrast, was lean, trim, and athletic in design, almost Ford-like (in a manner of speaking). It’s a classic look that holds up very well today.

1935 Chevrolet Standard Coupe left rear view 

So which approach was the correct one for Chevrolet? Standard or Master De Luxe?  Actually, both lines did well in ’35. The volume leader was the two-door Standard Coach at over 126,000 units. At $485 it was the lowest-priced sedan in the Chevy lineup. But overall, the Master De Luxe models outsold the Standard line at around 346,000 total units vs. 208,000.

Here’s Joe to tell us, in his own words, the story as he knows it on his beautiful little ’35 Standard Coupe:

She spent the first years of life in Western Virginia where, it’s been told, she was used to transport moonshine over the state line. By placing a fake wall in the trunk behind the seat, the moonshine was out of sight. The local police typically looked for the Fords because they had the V8s and had a better chance of out running the authorities.

In 1986 the car was purchased by the second owner in Alexandria, Virginia. She sat in a garage until 2003 where she had a complete restoration paying close detail to originality. I purchased her in 2011 where she is well taken care of here on Long Island, New York. 
This past summer she took trophies in five out of six car shows, wowing the spectators with her unmolested condition. It’s so much fun to watch and hear the old war stories!

1935 Chevrolet Standard Coupe interior 

1935 Chevrolet Standard Coupe front

EDITOR’S NOTE: Yes, Mac’s Motor City Garage.com is accepting reader cars for feature coverage. The car needn’t be a 100-point show winner, rare, or expensive. We ask only two things. The vehicle needs to be A) interesting and 2) relevant to the ongoing narrative. If a recent story at MCG ties into your car in some way, that’s a perfect start.

Please include a few paragraphs in your own words, nothing fancy, explaining what you think we all need to know about the car, along with a good selection of, oh, a half-dozen photos. (Size should be at least 1200 pixels on the long side, and a 4×6 format is best.) Send your stuff to:

mcg@macsmotorcitygarage.com

Thanks!

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