VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Differences between 1922 FB 50 and 1923 Superior

So, aside from what I think appears to be a re-styled body, is there any real differences? Are they the same mechanically? I am curious as to how Chevy marketed it as a new car.

Thanks!
Dan

Most of the mechanical inovations were introduced in 1922 and some of the new options listed for 1923 were drum headlights, nickel plated radiator shell, that was taller, deluxe radiator cap and bumpers. This is from the Standard Catalog of American Cars, so I don't know how exact the information is.

Roger

Unfortunately, I have found that the Standard Catalog of American Cars probably belongs in the trash can instead of on the book shelf.

The FB had the large 4 cyl while the superior had the small 4. the intake on the FB had hot air surrounding the cast intake while the small 4 had just the formed tube intake. Both also had preheaters for intake air. I bet the trans and clutch set ups were different too. The last year Chevy used the large 4 was in 22 and Olds used it till 23. Chevy only had the small 4 in 23.

As mentioned earlier, the FB was the large car and the 490 was the small car. The '21 and '22 490 series and the '23 Superior model were mechanically the same (suspension, engine, transmission, and rear end). The body and visual parts are different than the 490, but the other half is the same. I like to consider the '23 model as Chevrolet's first "body change". We need to remember that the Model T had been the same basic car for a number of years. Chevy took advantage of that fact. Chevy was also hoping that their "Copper Cooled" (air cooled) engine would be successful. There were a few minor changes between the '23 and '24 model year but very little.

Most mechanical changes came with the '25 model year. I found it interesting that the 1923 Copper cooled car had many of the updated parts that showed up on the 1925 cars, like the dry clutch, improved transmission and rear-end. Chevrolet waited until the 1925 model year to introduce their changes.