After sitting idle for many years, Dave Miller's 1931 Chevrolet Landau Phaeton Deluxe consisted of a motor, a partial body and frame waiting to begin its ride to restoration in 1992.

Dave and Vivian Miller: Wheels readers

Occupation: Mechanical Engineer “looking forward to retirement”

The Car: 1931 Chevrolet Deluxe Landau Phaeton

In 1929, Chevrolet introduced its new car powered by the famous 194 ci (3.2-litre) Stovebolt overhead-valve six-cylinder engine.

Chevrolet marketed their new product as ‘a Six for the price of a Four.’ The new line was known as the International in its first year, subsequently becoming the Universal, and then the Independence in 1931.

The 1931 Independence received a higher, larger radiator along with a bowed tie bar carrying the headlights. Its hood gained vertical louvers on the raised side panels and wire wheels were now standard.

The 1931 Chevrolet offered 12 different body styles ranging in price from $475 to $650. Chevrolet was well-established as an industry leader by this time; 1931 saw production of the company’s 8-millionth car.

Following the series AD of 1930, the new Series AE Chevrolets for the 1931 model year included the first ever five-passenger convertible Landau Phaeton Deluxe as the most elegant Chevrolet.

Representing the top of the line, the Landau sold for $650. All the new Chevrolets were marketed as either Standard or Deluxe models, the latter for the first time, and distinguished by a chrome plated wire mesh grill in front of the radiator housing, clearly inspired by the Cadillac V-16.

This car was the 1,380th Deluxe to roll off the Janesville, Wisc., manufacturing plant’s assembly line on July 7, 1931. Chevrolet only made this model for two years — 1931, with a total production of 5,634 cars, and 1,602 in 1932.

There is a very limited number of this model on the road, making it a very rare car.

Naming these cars ‘Phaeton’ is not technically correct, as that is an open-style automobile without any fixed weather protection. This car is more of a convertible than a phaeton.

eye candy: 1931 chevrolet deluxe landau phaeton

It was heavily optioned with dual side mount tires, a heater, dual windshield wipers, dual horns, a luggage rack on the back with a touring trunk and the Quail radiator mascot.

The original six-cylinder engine produces 50 horsepower at 2600 r.p.m. The car can get up to 80 km/h, but with the mechanical brakes, you have to plan ahead for stopping.

The car was found in 1992 and it appeared to be sitting for quite some time. It only had a frame, body, and motor. No top, bumpers, or headlights.

The entire interior had to be redone, and a section of the body’s wood framing needed to be replaced. The biggest challenge was to reconstruct the roof and wooden bows.

The wood bows were built from white oak sliced 1/16th of an inch thick and glued together using a bow from another Landau as a pattern.

Seven years later, the car was complete with a rebuilt engine, new roof, and interior. The body was restored and still in great shape when I got possession.

I had some mechanical upgrades done, such as relining the brakes and rebuilding the fuel pump and carburetor.

The new paint matched the original — code 81 — with the combination of Coffee Cream body, Fawn Brown accent and Swamp Holly Orange wheels.

Nineteen years later, the car still looks great. I had the car shipped up from California in 2015, and my wife, Vivian, and I enjoy the rides around our neighbourhood.

eye candy: 1931 chevrolet deluxe landau phaeton

Show us your candy: Got a cool custom or vintage car? Send us high-res pictures (at least 1 MB, and horizontal shots are best) of you and your family or friends with your beauty, and your story. We like photos – the more the better – of the interior, trim, wheels, emblems. Email [email protected] and type ‘Eye Candy’ in the subject line. Google ‘Wheels.ca Eye Candy‘ to see classic cars featured in the past.

More eye candy at Wheels.ca

eye candy: 1931 chevrolet deluxe landau phaeton
eye candy: 1931 chevrolet deluxe landau phaeton
eye candy: 1931 chevrolet deluxe landau phaeton
eye candy: 1931 chevrolet deluxe landau phaeton

Keyword: Eye Candy: 1931 Chevrolet Deluxe Landau Phaeton

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Here's Your First Look at the New Corvette Racing Z06 GT3.R

Corvette Racing's iconic yellow livery returns for 2024 looking meaner than ever.

View more: Here's Your First Look at the New Corvette Racing Z06 GT3.R

Is It Time To Buy A Chevy Corvette C4 ZR-1 Or LT4? This Video Offers An Answer

These are two of the more desirable variants of the C4 Corvette. But, is one of them better?

View more: Is It Time To Buy A Chevy Corvette C4 ZR-1 Or LT4? This Video Offers An Answer

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Convertible

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Convertible muscle car in black.

View more: 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS6 Convertible

This Corvette-Powered BMW 330i ZHP Is The Ultimate Sleeper

It has rock chips on the bumper, an LS3 V8 under the hood, and it's for sale.

View more: This Corvette-Powered BMW 330i ZHP Is The Ultimate Sleeper

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air

1956 Chevrolet Bel Air. Great looking old car in red and white. Loving the chrome too!

View more: 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air

GM Hilariously Lists Corvette ZR1’s Rumored LT7 Engine As 4.3-Liter Diesel

To be fair, GM did have an LT7 diesel with the same displacement in the 1980s.

View more: GM Hilariously Lists Corvette ZR1’s Rumored LT7 Engine As 4.3-Liter Diesel

1959 Chevrolet NAPCO Suburban | Old Car

1959 Chevrolet NAPCO Suburban. What a great looking old SUV.

View more: 1959 Chevrolet NAPCO Suburban | Old Car

1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

Originally applied to two-door hardtop coupe and convertible versions of Chevrolet’s Bel Air in 1958, the Impala name was subsequently used in its own right to signify a top-of-the-range luxury trim level rather than a separate and distinct body style. Marketed as ‘All New, All Over Again,’ Chevrolets exhibited a ...

View more: 1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible

The Next Chevrolet Bolt Could Be Built In Kansas: Report

1969 Chevrolet Impala

Saab 9-3 Pickup, Audi Quattro, Drift Corvette: The Dopest Cars I Found For Sale Online

Rare 4-Cylinder 1970 Chevrolet Postal Nova

Barn Find: 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396

The Flat Out Autos KR2 Is The New K5 Blazer Chevrolet Refuses To Sell

Chevy Corvette Rides Wide And Low On Air Suspension And Japanese Body Kit

(video) Meet The New 2024 Chevrolet Chevelle Ss

1973 Chevrolet Camaro For Sale (Video)

First breakdown of my Chevrolet Beat in 13 years that too at midnight

⁠Chevrolet Equinox EV Launches At $48,995, $35K 1LT Trim Coming In 2024

LT7 Turbo Engine Appears in GM Parts Catalog. Is It For The Corvette ZR1?

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel