Offering a slice of pre-war American car design with the added convenience of the steering wheel being on the correct side, this 1939 Chevrolet Master Deluxe is a wonderful example of the breed, remaining in excellent condition throughout, and benefiting from being a dry-climate car for the majority of its lifetime.
Yet to be registered with the DVLA, this is a rare opportunity to be the first registered keeper of this lovely station wagon on UK shores - not to be missed!cI9KGt2V0ofPaFrs3EUU6nBk9b5Vzkv8mnwJNuIp.jpeg1.77 MB
The History & Paperwork
• Yet to be registered in the UK, some import documents require completion
• VAT/Duty paid
• Full evaluation, assessment and authentication by an independant specialist
• Long-term ownership within the same family
First registered in 1939, this station wagon Chevrolet Master ‘JB’ has remained within the same family for a number of years, having been in the care of the vendor’s father for a stint of its time in South Africa, before being purchased by the vendor and shipped to the UK.
This globe-trotting adventure would appear to be par-for-the-course for a Master such as this, as this was one of many flat-packed (CKD) kits which were produced by Chevrolet, shipped to South Africa and then re-built locally.
Whilst in SA, the car was used by the vendor’s father for leisurely drives and to take to various classic car gatherings, but was always cosseted and used sparingly. When the time came for it to be sold, our vendor chose to keep it in the family with the intention of doing the same over here, but this plan has not come to fruition.
Unfortunately, it would appear that there has been some difficulty in registering the car with the DVLA, due to it having been a CKD vehicle. This is, apparently, a common thing with CKD vehicles being imported into the UK, and a full assessment / authentication has been carried out by the American Automobile Club of Great Britain.
Given that the car has seen no use since being imported, and with flying being the vendor’s main mechanical vice, the decision has been made to put this lovely Master up for sale, for the next owner to register and enjoy as it should be.
Included with the vehicle is the full authentication report, SA vehicle title/registration document, confirmation from DVLA that all VAT and duties have been paid, and correspondence regarding the registration of the vehicle.
Inside, the wood trimmings, leather bench seats and carpets all present wonderfully, though there are plenty of signs of cherished use and enjoyment to appreciate, such as creases, light scuffs and some more noticeable wear to the outer lower edges of the front bench seat, caused by people getting in-and-out of the vehicle over the years.
Ahead of the driver, the wood-trimmed dashboard, door capping and large steering wheel exhibit a lovely hard-earned patina, though there are no signs of any damage beyond the aforementioned patina that we could see.
In the rear, the bench seat looks to be largely untroubled by the passage of time, whilst up above the headliner is taut throughout and free from staining, damage or drooping.
The vendor did note that the carpets - largely excellent, other than a stain in the nearside rear passenger area - may well be a replacement/reproduction set, but otherwise the interior is believed to be original.
In the rear, the capacious luggage compartment presents very well indeed, and the spare wheel is present-and-correct.
Externally, this lovely Chevrolet Master presents in very good order, having benefitted from the dry SA climate and cosseted ownership in recent years.
The bodywork, for example, is wonderfully straight throughout, with only a couple of small ‘car park’ indentations noted, along with the doors perhaps requiring some minor adjustment - par for the course on any vehicle of this era.
Similarly, the paintwork is lovely on the wings, main bodywork and front end, though there are some expected signs of wear (such as chips and scuffs) along with some flat paintwork on the side skirts / running boards. The vendor did say there was a chance these items would be historical replacements rather than the OE items the car left the factory with, but the paintwork matches well enough.
Staying on the theme of the side skirts, there are also some small bubbling patches to be noted around the area where they meet the front arches, again suggesting these may be replacement panels.
Speaking of the paintwork, the only major other blemishes we could find were around the rear door handles, simply from years of use and enjoyment.
The chrome bumpers both front-and-rear present well with only some light pitting and patina noted, whilst the light lenses are free of any cracks or damage, though the front two lenses are slightly clouded.
All four wheels are perfectly useable as they sit, though a particularly fastidious owner may commission a refurbishment, whilst the vendor notes that all four tyres will require replacement in the near future.
Underneath the side-hinged ‘butterfly’ bonnet, the inline-six engine, the engine bay and its associated peripherals all present very well indeed, having clearly been fussed-over and kept in top condition whilst in South Africa.
Starting with ease and settling into a happy idle, the six-cylinder engine sounds ‘throaty’ and appears to be in rude health, with no signs of any smoking, ill behaviour or strange noises noted during our photo shoot, and no reported issues from the vendor.
Importantly, the ignition and electrical systems have been upgraded to a 12-volt system, whilst the carburettor has also been upgraded for better ease-of-use, though the original air cleaner remains with the vehicle.
Due to not having been registered in the UK, the car does not have an MoT certificate, though we’ve supplied plenty of photographs of the underside in the gallery below for your assessment.
Rare in right-hand-drive form, presented in wonderful condition throughout and apparently in rude mechanical health, all this 1939 Chevrolet Master (JB) requires is completion of its UK registration documents and it will be ready for the next owner to use, enjoy and cherish.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
