View full gallery (66)

1928 Chevrolet AB National Landau Coupe

29 Bids Winner - fillup91x
2:15 PM, 18 Aug 2022Vehicle sold
Sold for

$5,600

Winner - fillup91x

Background

Successor to Chevy’s Model AA, the 1928 AB competed directly with Ford’s still-fresh

Model A, which had replaced the long-obsolete Model T one year prior. Thanks largely

to the visionary Edsel Ford, The Model A was among the first mass-market cars to

place styling as a top design priority.

GM quickly took note of styling’s untapped marketing potential, and by 1927 had

implemented their revolutionary Art & Colour department. Headed by pioneering

industrial designer Harley Earl, who had made his name with extravagant custom

coachwork for the wealthy, Art & Colour (using British spelling in an effort to lend an air

of continental sophistication) would quickly prove to be a transformative force not only

within automobile manufacturing, but throughout virtually all global consumer markets.

The Model AB National was one of A&C’s first projects, setting the stage for a series of

ever-more spectacular looking machines, culminating in Earl’s swansong, the

gothic-colored mid-century modern masterpieces of the 1960-1962 GM full line. By this

time, GM had become the world’s largest corporation, and Earl’s genius was recognized

as the primary force behind its ascendency.

  • 4155480
  • TMU
  • manual
  • Left-hand drive
Vehicle location
Newberg, OR, United States

Background

Successor to Chevy’s Model AA, the 1928 AB competed directly with Ford’s still-fresh

Model A, which had replaced the long-obsolete Model T one year prior. Thanks largely

to the visionary Edsel Ford, The Model A was among the first mass-market cars to

place styling as a top design priority.

GM quickly took note of styling’s untapped marketing potential, and by 1927 had

implemented their revolutionary Art & Colour department. Headed by pioneering

industrial designer Harley Earl, who had made his name with extravagant custom

coachwork for the wealthy, Art & Colour (using British spelling in an effort to lend an air

of continental sophistication) would quickly prove to be a transformative force not only

within automobile manufacturing, but throughout virtually all global consumer markets.

The Model AB National was one of A&C’s first projects, setting the stage for a series of

ever-more spectacular looking machines, culminating in Earl’s swansong, the

gothic-colored mid-century modern masterpieces of the 1960-1962 GM full line. By this

time, GM had become the world’s largest corporation, and Earl’s genius was recognized

as the primary force behind its ascendency.

Overview

Typical for the era, the Model AB was available in a variety of two and four-door

configurations, though the Landau Coupe arguably best illustrated Earl’s skill.

Though still somewhat traditional looking when compared to Edsel’s Model A, Earl’s AB

was nonetheless quite an attractive car, and befitting of his new department’s name, this

one is particularly noteworthy for its wonderful colors.

Exterior

Conservatively styled or not, the AB’s wheels were one area where it led in modernity.

Finished here in a distinctive mustard, the stamped steel discs beautifully contrast and

complement the main body’s muted olive, and are visually much less fussy than typical

wire items of the day. Note also the elegant inlay surrounding the car’s side windows,

helping to visually unify body and wheels.

Though appearances suggest a folding convertible top, all AB Landau Coupes utilized

fixed roofs, lighting the way for generations of faux Detroit cabrios, the last of which

disappeared more than half a century later.

Neat period accessories include a fabulous trio of Boyco gas, oil, and water cans affixed

to the right side running board, finished in the company’s traditional red, white, and blue,

as well as a Chevy-branded moto-meter temperature gauge topping the radiator.

Interior

Finished to an unusually luxurious standard for cars of this type and time, the interior is

covered in yards of rich yellow-tan cord upholstery. This ties in well with mustard dash

and inside window frame caps, once again referencing the outside’s striking wheels.

A central, oval shaped instrument panel houses controls for the lights, a rotating drum

speedometer, odometer, trip meter, ammeter, and oil pressure gauge, while shifting of

the standard 3-speed manual transmission is via a floor-mounted lever. Nearby, the

other tall lever controls a handbrake, though our favorite cabin feature is probably the

rubber floor mat and its interlocking Chevrolet bowtie logo motif.

Mechanical

The car’s hood opens on either side along a central piano hinge, as was almost

universal at the time it was built. Motivation comes from a standard 171ci OHV

four-cylinder developing about 35 hp, netting 55 mph flat-out; more than adequate for

the primitive, pre-interstate system roads of 1920s America.

The engine’s surroundings look correct, including the large, distinctly shaped sheet

metal fan shroud, Delco-Remy generator, and various other ancillaries. Note the small

hand oiler mounted to the firewall’s right side.

History

The car is sold without known history, but appears to retain a mix of factory original and

previously restored finishes.

Summary

The automobile was here to stay by the 1920s, and manufacturers responded to this

certainty by developing the world’s first truly practical, everyday usable cars. With

features like standardized controls, relatively powerful engines, and electric lights and

starting, cars of the time can be enjoyed by nearly anyone today, especially the simple,

sturdily-built machines churned out by Roaring Twenties Detroit.

With its four-wheel brakes (a 1928 first), fully enclosed bodywork, and robust,

knowledgeable enthusiast base, this car serves as a prime example.

About this auction

Seller

Private: AUSTIN COLLECTION

Viewings Welcome

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and is strictly by appointment. To book one in the diary, please get in contact.

0a464aa5-51a7-4207-9c36-d966fbee1f0d/2fb7ffc6-5e34-487a-8081-143722e4040e.jpg?optimizer=image&width=650 image

Thinking of selling your Chevrolet