The first car officially branded as a Chevrolet was the 1914 Chevrolet Series C Classic Six. This was a large, powerful, and expensive touring car that directly competed with vehicles like the Ford Model T. It was the result of Louis Chevrolet's vision for a high-quality automobile, though its market position would soon shift dramatically under the leadership of William C. Durant.
The Classic Six was a formidable machine for its time. It was powered by a 4.9-liter inline-six engine (often referred to as a "six-cylinder" engine, a complex and powerful configuration in the early 1910s) that produced 30 horsepower. This allowed the substantial car to reach a top speed of around 65 mph, a notable figure in that era. The following table highlights key specifications that showcase its positioning as a premium vehicle.
| Specification | Details |
|---|
| Model Year | 1914 |
| Model Name | Series C Classic Six |
| Starting Price | ~$2,150 (over double the price of a Ford Model T) |
| Engine | 4.9L (299 cubic inch) inline-six |
| Power Output | 30 horsepower |
| Top Speed | Approximately 65 mph |
| Body Style | Five-passenger touring car |
| Wheelbase | 120 inches |
| Production Volume | Approximately 5,000 units (for 1914-1915) |
Despite its engineering merits, the Classic Six's high price limited its sales. Seeing the market's shift toward affordability, company co-founder William C. Durant clashed with Louis Chevrolet and introduced the more economical 1915 Chevrolet Series 490, named for its $490 price tag. This model, not the Classic Six, is what truly set Chevrolet on its path to becoming a high-volume manufacturer and a dominant force in the American automotive industry. So, while the Classic Six was the first, the Series 490 was the car that defined Chevrolet's future.
