VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 1933 Chevrolet "Mercury" Coupe

I purchased a "33 Chevy Coupe a couple of years ago but have just recently discovered it's a rare "Mercury"... one of ony 8,600 made. Any one out there that either has one or can tell me anything about these... i.e. value, etc.?
Thanks.

Actually Chevrolet never refered to it as a Mercury. They called it a Standard and that is what will appear on the serial number plate as well as in all Chevrolet literature, etc. Most publications today refer to it as a Mercury but they are in error. The Standard series was introduced in Spring of 1933 and was a generally shrunk down version of the more popular Eagle (early) or Master (late) series. It was a stripped down economy car.
In 1933 the Standard coupe was available in both a rumble seat model and a 2 passenger business coupe. There were 1903 of the rumble seat and 8909 of the business coupes made. In 1934 the rumble seat coupe was discontinied. Unfortunatly the fact that fewer Standard coupes were made in comparison to the more fancy Eagle/Master models dosen't add to its value. In fact it may lessen the value. Almost no parts intechange between the two models.

Alabob
I sent you a PM...Joe

If Chevrolet never refered to it as a Mercury, then where did the name come from, and where was it used?

Good question. I've done lots of research on the 33 std as Chev Nut has. I own a Regular & a Sports coupe & have all kind of paperwork from Chevrolet. No paper work from Chevrolet so far indicates "Mercury". The Chevrolet Service News bulletin form March 1933 talks about "The New Standard". Both of the serial number plates I have in the coupes also say "Standard". In Canada, it was the Empire series......Joe

Well...it is kinda sorta like the "only 300 made" quote that we have been hearing for years regarding the 1929 convertible landau. That quote appeared in the book "60 Years of Chevrolet". And....guess what? The "Mercury" term also appeared in "60 Years of Chevrolet" as well. For 1933 George Dammann, the author, states: "At mid-year, a totally new series was introduced. This was the Mercury Series CC, available in only three body styles, and designed for the thrifty minded purchaser--of which there were many in the depression years." He uses the term "Mercury Series" several more times in the book as well.

Like the "only 300 made" statement, once this incorrect information appears in a book or any kind of reference material it is almost impossible to correct years later.

The Mercury name is listed in the various price guide books from years ago. An example the 1938 NADA dealer price guide lists it as a CC Standard-Mercury. If you fine NORS parts the box will have the Mercury name listed along with Standard.
The 1933 Chevrolet Engineering Manual, has the intoduction info dated Feb. 1, 1933 and uses only the Standard name.
The Mercury name may have been mentioned before introduction and changed to Standard at introduction time as that was when the Eagle became a Master.

Thanks to all of you for your insight on the 1933 Chevrolet "MERCURY".I suppose the rarity and value of the car is still up for debate, but one thing for certain - whoever was the first to call it a "Mercury" deserves a pat on the back. You see, we're still talking about it some 77 years later; not bad for a car that was only built for 6 months. \\\\Any additional feedback is appreciated.
This was my first post on this website - the feedback and knowledge are priceless. Thank you.

I have one that I bought in 1964. It was to be a dirt track racer but the guy ran out of money before he ruined it.
I have run it as a street rod and even raced it in "C Gas" classes at Cordova and The Byron Raceway tracks.
Now it sits in the garage waiting for my son to take it over once he gets out of the Air Force.
I wrecked the car in 1976 and it took a couple years to find a hood, cowl section and a RH fender to restore it.
A fun car for a lot of years, covered alot of states with it. Many NSRA meets.
It was the car that started me making reproduction parts for the early Chevies 25 years ago.
It has always been a "Mercury Series" to me.
I found out that my folks dated in a rumble seat version back in the '40s.

Great story.

All 1933 Standard coupes were 3 window...and the 1934 and 1935 Standards also. 1933 was the only year for a Standard rumble seat coupe......and yes, 1933 Standard/Mercury parts can be very difficult to find. On the other hand it also hard to find a buyer for them if if you have a garage full of them.

NO 1933-1934 or 1935 Standard coupes had 5 windows,

All 1933-1934 Master rumble seat coupes had 3 windows.

All 1933-1934 Master business coups had 5 windows.

Its fairly easy to convert a coupe to a rumble seat coupe - if you can find hinges from a rumble seat model.The hinges would be the same from a 1933-34 Master rumble coupe. Necessary to cut some of the wood out from the bottom of the opening and design water drains as the gaps are upen at the bottom.
It would be intresting to know what hood sides were used as the Standard sheet metal is generally smaller than the Master.
Were the headlights changed to chrome also?

If you have a "Mercury", I would suggest you hang on to it.Yes, they are base models, with a unique wheelbase, and parts are not that plentiful... but they are very rare cars. When was the last time you found a rare vehicle that was cheap... think about it. Critics are usually the ones quitely looking for one to buy... at a steal. I've received several interests in mine within the past 3 weeks. I'm hanging on to it.

The hinges & the vertical brace for the the r/s hinges are special to job# 33628 as is the rear part of the body. I'm still looking to borrow cushions for one of these cars. Mine are missing...Joe

Originaly the radiator shell was chromed and then all but the opening was painted black.
The louvers in the hood are verticle and not slanted.