1931 Chevrolet PU PICKUP Independence (Closed Cab Pickup With 109" Wheelbase)
In 1931, Chevrolet offered many different commercial models. This model is a 1931 Chevy 1/2 Ton Pickup. In late 1930 Chevrolet purchased the Martin-Parry Body Company and began building their own commercial bodies. The 1931 Chevrolet Pickup was based on a new half ton commercial chassis that was extended another two inches from the 1930 models to 109 inches. It had a one-piece sheet metal roof, exterior sun visor and 19 inch disc wheels with demountable rims. The rear cab corners were now rounded instead of squared off. The cab for half ton pickups was the same as Chevrolet's 1-1/2 ton trucks.
All cars & trucks in 1931 were part of the Independence model designation. Passenger cars & 1/2 ton models had a two-letter identifier of AE. These letters can be found on the data (identification) plate that was screwed to the firewall inside the engine compartment on the passenger side. The plate is approximately 2 inches high by 3 inches long. The number on the identification plate indicates the plant where the truck was manufactured, using a one or two digit number code at the start. The series AE designation would be next, indicating this as a 1931 1/2 ton truck. The last numbers would indicate the production number of the truck as it came off the line. This number series started with 1001 at each individual plant. An example ID number would be: 6 AE 12785 - "6" indicates the manufacturing plant was Oakland, CA, "AE" indicates 1931 half ton, "12785" indicates this was the 11,785th Chevrolet 1/2 ton to be produced in Oakland, CA in 1931 (remember that the number system started at 1001)
Manufacturing plant numbers: #1 = Flint, Michigan; #2 = Tarrytown, New York; #3 = St. Louis Missouri; #5 = Kansas City, Missouri; #6 = Oakland, California; #8 = Atlanta, Georgia; #9 = Norwood, Ohio; #12 = Buffalo, New York; #21 = Janesville, Wisconsin
Many Chevrolet truck bodies were built in the Indianapolis Chevrolet body plant. Chevrolet trucks were built by Chevrolet, not by Fisher Body, and therefore, there is no aluminum tag on the firewall with the Fisher Body identification. The 1931 Chevrolet half ton pickup sold new for $487.50. The pickup box was 66 inches long, 45 inches wide and 13 inches deep. The bed sides meet the wood floor at right angles, permitting compact loading spaces. The pickup floor boards have "T" shaped skid strips nailed in between them.
Though bumpers were still considered an extra cost accessory, early models of this pickup could be ordered with double bar bumpers, but a customer could also order the new single bar bumpers in mid-year. All 1931 Chevrolet trucks came with a black painted radiator shell made of steel the same shape and size as the chrome passenger radiator shell. Customers could order a chrome shell, which would be the passenger type which was brass and chrome plated.
Headlights on 1931 Chevy trucks were the same shape as the passenger car version, but again these were made in steel and painted black. The headlight bar on trucks was the same design as 1929-1930 cars & trucks. Front fenders on 1931 Chevrolet trucks were the same as 1929-1930 cars & trucks. The hood was the same as 1931 Chevrolet passenger cars. This differed in appearance from 1929-1930 hoods in that the louvers were extended to the full length of the impressed surface. There were are least two different versions of the 1931 hood and the variation was in the area of the louvered raised panel. 1931 Chevy trucks came with black "pancake" vibrator horn mounted under the left headlight.
A deluxe version of the 1931 Chevrolet half ton chassis was available in Spring of 1931. This chassis used the passenger car front fenders, headlights & headlight bar, chrome radiator shell, rubber covered running boards, running board aprons, chrome horn. Fender mounted spare tires were standard on the deluxe chassis, as well as shock absorbers. It was available as a chassis only to mount station wagon bodies or other company pickup box as well as Chevrolet built bodies like panel body, canopy delivery body or pickup box.
All 1/2 ton trucks came with a three-speed standard transmission, which had to be double clutched when shifted. Syncromesh transmissions would not be available until 1932. The overhead valve six-cylinder engine is 194 cubic inches (cu. in.) displacement with 50 horsepower. It came with an updraft Carter 150S carburetor.
Half ton trucks came with four-wheel mechanical brakes, 9 inch clutch disc, differential gear ratio of 4.10:1. Accessories were available like a spot light, hot water heater, cowl lights, windshield defroster, fender mounted spare tires, spare tire lock, spare tire cover, cigar lighter, Viking or Eagle radiator cap, radiator stone guard, thermostat, seat covers, and more. The Chevrolet advertising theme for 1931 was "The Great American Value".