bowtie4.gif (2065 bytes) 1931 Chevrolet - Welcome
         http://1936chevrolet.com

REFERENCE INFORMATION FOR 1931 CHEVROLET
Note:   References are included for all information wherever possible.

Subjects include:

Statistics

Part Identification

Body Numbers

Upholstery

Photos

Drawings

Troubleshooting

and more......

 

driver.gif (2902 bytes)

 

Chevrolet Toys for adults who never really gave up their childish ways...!

   

 

   "No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one."
  - Elbert Hubbard
 

Trivia:  Phillips Head screws were first used in American production on the 1936 Cadillac.

 

Go to Barkerville Mall

 

Trivia:  The 1931 Chevrolets were one of the most popular cars of its era. It was the first car to ever give a full year warranty on parts and labor. By doing this, it sold more cars including Fords. Soon, they all followed.

Press CTRL + F5 to refresh the page for the newest information ----> Last Updated:  07/2/15

Featured Photo For this Visit
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Welcome to the wonderful year of 1931. 
This was the year of a very distinctive Chevrolet.  It was a year of many changes.  Also, it was the end of an era.

In the following pages I'll list as much information as I can gather about this automobile.  1931 owners are held together by a strong bond because this year of Chevrolet automobiles was quite different from 1930 and 1932.  Only a few parts are interchangeable between these years of cars.

1931 was the third year that Chevrolet offered the new 6 cylinder engine as standard equipment.  This was also the final year that Chevrolet out-sold Ford by kicking their little 4 cylinder butts..... alas, it was to be short lived when Ford introduced their 8 cylinder flat head in 1932.  As most people know, among the fans of the early V8 Fords was Bonnie and Clyde.

But the year before that, Chevrolet was still king.  And that's where this story begins....

RECENT UPDATES:
(Note: Press CTRL+R to see the most current page)

July 2015 -NEW Do you need some information about your WATER PUMP? See this new article that I wrote when I changed mine out.
May 2015 - Three new links!! 1931 and 1932 article by Hemmings
1931-1932 Axle differences and Firewall Mats
Mar 2014 - If you are a member of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America be sure to check out the "Members Only" area for a lot of additional "technical" information about early 30's Chevrolets. The price of one year's membership is well worth it.
Apr 2013 - Distributor shaft end-play info added.
Jan 2013 - Brake adjustment instructions. - AND - Restoration Tips
Dec 2012 - Trim Combinations expanded (Specs page 2).
Nov 2012 - Find ethanol-free gasoline.   HERE
July 2012 - Added a SEARCH BOX about 1/2 the way down this page.

(Some bugs still in it.  For example, it finds all of the pages with a word or phrase, but it also lists all pages that have that word in the Navigation bar at the bottom of the page.  Ouch.)

But, even with that shortcoming, it should help you find things quickly.

WELCOME TO A NEW YEAR:
I want to remind everyone that the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America is the primary organization for activities for the 1930's Chevrolets.  Stop by to see their services and activities.  Go to http://vcca.org  You can join online and immediately have access to a bunch of additional information.  And... they're a great group of folks to tour with or get restoration tips from.  I've belonged for over 35 years!  It's a family-oriented group.  Give 'em a look!!
Jan 2012 - Added WIRE WHEEL COLORS 1928-1933
also added more photos and measurements for the Wind Wings
August - Alemite fittings.  Where and how many?  Look Here.
August 12, 2011 -- Moved this entire web site to a new server in Southern California.  For the past 10 years I have hosted it at my house in Seattle.  But we seem to get a lot of power outages here --- the most recent was just two weeks ago (in the middle of August!!!)

So now the site should be significantly more reliable.  And - I can focus on adding more content instead of chasing server configuration gremlins.

Aug 2011 - Updated the Distributor "advance" info.  See Specs Page 4.
(This is info that you can't find anywhere else!!!)
March 2011 - some updates added to the Upholstery section
February 2011 - A new way to find information.   SORTED BY CATEGORY.  See HERE.
January 2011 - Another new year. Minor changes to some pages.  Example: The colorparts page.
Dec 2010 Universal Joint repairs and part numbers.
Sept 2010 Taillight bracket measurements.  See below.
By the way, I just installed the LED taillight and it is Fantastic!
February 2010 - Jim Gilson has sent a good email detailing his testing of the 1931 distributor.  Q:  How much advance is too much?  Find out when you read it.  UPDATED-Nov 2012
January 2010 - A new year.  See a "1931 Colonial" in South Africa. Thanks to Hawkin Hansen.
Nov/Dec 2009:  Randy has done it again!!  More filmstrips. 
(We're still working on the format, so bear with us.)

1929 Last Quarter
1929 Steady Work
1931 Sales
1931 Install Accessories

Nov 2009:  Steering Column, worm gear, front end alignment and more!!  Thanks to Peter Z.
Oct 2009:  Running board mats now available.  See PARTS.
Sept 2009:  Misc changes and updates. 
Including a generator adjustment diagram HERE.
May 2009:  Give a cheer to Randy Schaub.  He has taken us into uncharted territory!  See the "How to Install Genuine Accessories" filmstrip HERE.
February 2009:   Front end alignment instructions.   HERE.  (and some additional Ads posted -- see below)
January 2009:   New page showing how to repair the window regulator.  HERE
Are you interested in the new LED tail lights for 1931 Chevrolets?  HERE

Did you ever visit my 1932 site?

October 2008:   See Sid Carey's 30 part article about his beginning-to-end restoration project. 
The link is located below next to RESTORATION PROJECT.
November 2008:  How to polish stainless steel and aluminum.  See Richard's article under STAINLESS.
Check out the new Decals and Speedometer cable lengths pages.  See below.
---Bill Barker

 

*** QUICK SEARCH for the entire '31 Website HERE ***

Enter a word or phrase below to SEARCH Within This Web Site ONLY

1931 Chevrolet Reference Library
Specifications
 Page 1
Carburetor, Ignition, Valves, Fluids, Gauges, Wipers
Fuel Filter
Specifications P2 Radiator, Body Hardware, Body Identification, Wheels
Specifications P3 Accessories, Axle Seals & Bearings, Transmission, Leaf Springs, Battery Box
Specifications P4 Fan Belt, Freeze Plugs, Battery, Gas Cap, Ignition Parts
Specification P5 6 Volt Light Bulbs
Specification P6 Cowl Tags, Floor Tags
Specification P7 Engine Tune up -Timing and Dwell (lots of diagrams)
Specification P8 Carburetor cut-away diagrams
Specification P9 Fan Blades (1929-36)
Specification P 10 Speedometer Cable Lengths (1925-33)

Specification P11

Generator Adjustment

Specification P12

Universal Joint (driveshaft U-Joint)

Specification P13

Firewall Mats 1931-32

Specification P14

1931-32 Axel Shafts
   
   
Advertising Chevrolet ads from 1931 
Accessory Photos Original Booklet - 6 pages
   
Accessories P1 Viking Radiator Mascot (8 photos)
Accessories P2 Heaters, Trunk Rack, Mileage meter, Ash Tray 
Accessories P3 Eagle Radiator Mascot
Accessories P4 Potter Trunk Latches (12 photos)
Accessories P5 Heater Switch with Resistor (8 photos)
Accessories P6 Side Mounts, Brackets and Pads 
Accessories P7 Carburetors
Accessories P8 Dash Clock - Sterling electric
Accessories P9 Wind Wings
Accessories P10 Hot Water Heater Hoses
Accessories P11 Trico Mirror for sidemounts
Accessories P12 Rumble Seat latch and lid-stop cloth covering
AccessoriesP13 Brakes --okay, so they're not really an accessory!! :-)
Accessories P14 Landau Window Regulators and How to Repair them
Accessories P15 Jacks, Handle and Tools
Accessories P16 Upholstery (oh my gosh, what the heck did I get myself into?)
Accessories P17 Kane Carburetor
  Accessories P18 Dashboard Decals
Accessories P19 Gas Pedal rod
Grease Fittings Alemite Fittings - locations
   
Wiring Diagrams Ignition Switch Wiring
1931Car Wiring Harness
1931 Dashboard and Engine
RESTORATION
   Stainless Steel
How to polish stainless and aluminum by Richard Widman.
     Restoration Project
A series of 30 articles and photographs of Sid Carey's restoration project
Added October 26, 2008            Nov 9th
   Front End Alignment
Photos and instructions.
   Window Regulator Repair
How to use a 1929-30 kit to repair a 1931 regulator
   Steering Column and More!
Lots of photos, diagrams and information
  Taillight Bracket - mounting measurements.  Photos of left and right.

MANUALS, DRAWINGS, PHOTOS

Other Diagrams Firewall Holes
Drawings Factory originals for most bodies including short description of improvements.
Factory Equipment and Accessories Listed by model of car
   
Filmstrips Original black and white advertising filmstrip
 History It happened in 1931.

New Features

For all 1931 Models

  Manuals

Covers of various Owners Manuals & Sales Brochures
Paint Color Specifications
Index
Engine and Parts Colors  updated 1/3/11
Combinations 62-73
Combinations 74-89
Replacement Colors to Match Originals 
Color Chips - Original
Wire Wheel Colors 1928-1933

Photographs

Of many 1931 Body Styles
Production Number of cars & trucks built, cost and weight by model.   Engine information 
Wood Sal's Five Window Coupe
Factory Jig This is cool !!!

Factory Diagrams - Coupe   Top-Bows   Sedan

Remember Stories submitted about '30s Chevrolets.
  LED Tail lights Safety for non-purists
Torque Settings Some of the most common settings that you should use when rebuilding your '31.
Nuts and Bolts Grade 5 Bolt specifications
Troubleshooting  Tips on common problems or questions.
   Video New for 1932.  Includes '31 photos
PARTS
Vendors Our favorite Vintage Chev parts suppliers
 

 Available through
 The Barkerville Mall
and Amazon

New Stores!!!

A Pictorial History of Chevrolet Using Original GM Photos
   
  SEE A PAGE LISTING SORTED BY CATEGORY
   
More Chev Info

1)  Puget Sound Region of the VCCA

2) National Vintage Chevrolet Club of America

  Visit the Barkerville Mall

INTERESTING FACTS

Fact 1:  "Ten thousand gallons of air are consumed for every gallon of fuel used by the 1931 engine." (j)
Fact 2:  Among the worldwide membership of The Vintage Chevrolet Club of America in 2001, there are 668 1931 Chevrolets registered.  For more information click here.
Fact 3:  The 1931 models were Officially introduced Saturday, November 15, 1930. That was the first day that dealers were authorized to show the new models to the public. Most showed the new models to their best customers prior to that date. NOTE:  Some models weren't available until later in the year - eg. Landau Phaeton.
Fact 4:  The low speed jet adjustment regulates gasoline to the motor at idle engine speed and up to approximately 18 miles per hour. (j) 
Fact 5:  The maximum fuel economy is obtained at approximately 20 MPH.  Minimum is at wide-open throttle. (j) 
 

COMMENTS??

Please send me your suggestions, or additional data that you feel would be of interest to other 1931 owners.
Thanks.    Bill Barker
Send email to me HERE

P.S.  Click your browser REFRESH in order to see different photos at the top of the page.

 

 

Hosted by:  Bill Barker
Issaquah, WA, USA
NOTE:  I am not affiliated in any way with the Chevrolet Company nor any of its parent or subsidiary companies.  The information contained on this site is provided entirely for hobbyist use and is known to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.  No guarantees or promises of any kind are specifically intended nor implied.  This information is provided for hobbyist use only.  No infringement upon any copyrighted information is intended nor desired.  The use of the Chevrolet name and/or logo is for the purpose of properly identifying the content contained herein only.  It is not to be interpreted as an endorsement of, or as being in any way sponsored, nor approved by  the Chevrolet Company nor General Motors.  They are NOT involved in any way with this site nor the information which is contained herein, most of which  is over 70 years old.  All rights reserved where possible.

Copyright 1995-2012 All rights reserved.

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