VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 New Model Year?

In '31 did the new model year cars officially debut on Jan 1st? I remember as a kid in the '60s
going to the dealers in late Sept. to see the unveiling of the new models, a big deal! When did the official models come out in Chevy history? :confused:

The 1931 models were Officially introduced Saturday, November 15, 1930. That was the first day that dealers were authorized to show the new models to the public. Most showed the new models to their best customers prior to that date.

There was no standard time as to when a new model was introduced.In 1935 it was December,1936 and 1937 November,1939 October, 1940-42 September.
The first 1946 in Nov ,few were produced due to strike, and production resumed in Spring of 1946.
1947-50 in Jan.1951 Dec, 1952-53 Jan,1954 Dec,1955 Oct,1956 Nov. 1957-58 Oct.

I don't have the exact dates of introduction on the above but production usually began about 2 weeks befor introduction so could be a little off.From 1950-58 I remember most of the production and introduction dates as being in the same month.

When the new models arrived on the trucks before announcement the cars were covered.Once they were unloaded at the dealership they were wisked away to a secure location so they couldn't be seen.The new car "get ready" men would come in at night when the service dept. was closed to prepare the cars,install heaters,make all the adjustments ,etc.Saturday was always announcement day. The "preferred" customers were sent an invitation to come in and see the new cars on Friday night before..It was always an exciting time.Larger dealers usually had search lights at night,coffee and snacks for the customers.

I remember the dealers having brown paper over the windows when they were getting ready for the showing of the new models. The first car cover I purchased was a used one from new car transport.

See you down the back roads.

I have one of those car covers also.Very heavy , soft material.

I have a new old stock section of the paper dealership window "black out" for the 1931 annoucement day. I had it framed and it is hanging on the wall. It is an awesome piece of history! :cool2: