What is the Chevy version of the Model A?
The closest Chevrolet counterpart to Ford's Model A was the Chevrolet Series AB family of cars from the late 1920s, commonly referred to by collectors as Chevrolet's “Model A-era” vehicles.
This article explains what people mean when they ask for the Chevy version of the Model A, how Chevrolet’s AB-series fit into the late-1920s market, and how enthusiasts differentiate these cars from other Chevrolet models of the era.
Historical context
In 1927, Ford introduced the Model A as a modern replacement for the Model T, bringing a new four-cylinder engine, refreshed styling, and a broader range of body styles. The market shift spurred competitors to update their own lineups to appeal to the same broad base of buyers seeking affordable, reliable family cars.
The AB-era Chevrolet and its role
Chevrolet responded with a new generation of standard four-cylinder passenger cars in the late 1920s, culminating in the Series AB lineup. These models were designed to compete in the same price band and market segment as Ford’s Model A, offering a range of body styles and a straightforward, durable drivetrain of the era. Collectors and historians often reference the AB-series and related late-1920s Chevrolet cars as the practical Chevrolet counterpart to the Model A, rather than a model officially branded as “Model A” by Chevrolet.
Key facts about the AB-era Chevrolet cars include the following:
- Production era: late 1920s, serving as Chevrolet’s main four-cylinder passenger car line in the period following Ford’s Model A.
- Engine and drivetrain: inline four-cylinder configuration with a simple, robust drivetrain typical of the era.
- Body styles: offered in multiple body styles such as Touring, Roadster, Coupe, and Sedan, with both two-door and four-door variants.
- Market positioning: targeted the entry-to-mid-range market, competing in the same segment as Ford’s Model A.
In summary, the AB-series represents Chevrolet’s primary answer to the Ford Model A in the late 1920s, marking Chevrolet’s transition into a modern mass-market approach during that period.
Summary
The Chevy version of the Model A is best identified as the Chevrolet Series AB era (late 1920s), a lineup of four-cylinder passenger cars that Chevrolet developed to compete with Ford’s Model A. While not officially branded as “Model A,” the AB-series is widely regarded by historians and collectors as the equivalent Chevrolet entry in that market and time.
