VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Trunk 31 chevy

I have just purchased a 1931 5 pass. two door and noticed that on the truck it has a metal stand off like it had straps on each side at one time. The car is all original and only used in shows so I don't know if this was left off, or could it have been an option? I have looked at several pictures and haven't seen straps on this model. Any ideas? thanks.

A photo would do wonders here..........

All the Best, Chip

I presume you are referring to the trunk "rack" having small brackets riveted to it for straps? Yes they do have such brackets. While Chevrolet did not sell accessory trunks in '31, the after market place did for Chevy and other makes. Some of those trunks were a perfect fit for the '31 Chevy folding rack, and the one I have even has a sloped back to match profile of my '31 Coach. A picture of it is in an earlier "Member's Photo" about 1.5 years ago (7/7/10) if you want to search! The spacing of the strap brackets is identical to the spacing of the trunk latches.

Gunsmoke, Are you saying that these Potter Trunks are not Genuine Chevrolet Trunks?

Not at all! My understanding from previous entries for this site is that the Potter trunk was introduced for the '32 model year and designed to retrofit to '31's as well. So technically while not a '31 accessory, it could be installed on one after the fact. Just my understanding of previous chat from some of the more senior members here, who indicate only aftermarket (Non-Chevrolet) trunks were available in the '31 sales year to fit the folding '31 rack. Hope this is correct. The Potter Trunk fit a different type of rack?

Actually, the Extension Trunk was offered in 1931 for the sedan and phaeton models and it was a genuine Chevrolet accessory item.

The strap brackets on the luggage racks are called footman loops.

I have a trunk for our 31 that is made of wood and covered with a material something like the rumble seat material. When the original covering was removed for restoration we found the word Chevrolet written on the lid of the trunk. It fits perfectly on our original Chevrolet trunk rack and I can open the rumble seat.

Dawg, offered in '31, not according to Mr Barker? On his '31 Chevrolet site he states the Potter Trunk was not available as a genuine Chevrolet Option until '32, but retro-fittable to a '31. Now we all know that some '31's were probably still in the dealers sales lot by the time '32's came along, and therefore some new buyers of '31's could have had the new Potter Trunk added as an accessory at time of sale or shortly thereafter. Splitting hairs I suppose, but my understanding has been that the '31 Deluxe Sedans and some other models) typically had side-mounts, full length rear bumpers and the folding trunk rack for an aftermarket trunk, an option which could be added at dealer to other cars as well. I guess the real question is can an owner claim that his '31 car can have a Genuine Chevrolet '31 Trunk. Bill implies no, you suggest yes, sounds like the OK Corral?

When I was interested in Judging I would take my trunk off. Now I'm interested in Touring and the trunk stays on. That is one way you can have it both ways.

Gunsmoke.......go back and read my post above. I was talking about the accessory Extension Trunk NOT the Potter Trunk. That was in reply to your statement that Chevrolet did not sell accessory trunks in 1931. They did...the Extension Trunk which was used on the all Sedan and Phaeton models. Check your Chevrolet Service News for 1931 and you will see the Extension Trunk was available in 1931. The Potter Trunk and the Extension Trunk are not the same. Also, on Bill Barker's 1931 web site, "Specifications Page 3", he makes note that the Extension Trunk was an accessory for 1931.



In the USA, items such as bumpers and folding trunk racks were not options. Rather they were accessories for all models, (including the deluxe models) added at extra cost by the dealer.

That is the first I have heard the distinction between Options and Accessories. You leard something new every day.

"Options" were items available on order from the factory and "accessories" were items at extra cost added by the dealer. Things such as bumpers, trunks, trunk racks, Sportlights, heaters and etc. for 1931 are accessories since these items were not available from the factory.

Was the Stone-guard available as an option or as an accessory in '31, or as both? I do not see it in 1929-32 parts book?

The stone sheild was sold by Dealers to anyone who wanted one fitted to their 1931 chevy,It was standard equipment on deluxe and sports models it is described in the Service News for 1931. It is in the 1929 to 1932 MPPL ,IND, C Screen Unit,Radiator,(deluxe panel series BB) $7.50 363153 .
and that is the same part number in my 1931 (independence only) parts list.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/bulletins/31csn015.htm

http://1931chevrolet.com/images/accessories/booklet/accessories%20page%206-727.jpg

http://1931chevrolet.com/accessories_booklet.htm

Stone guards, cowl lights were both accessories and options. Bumpers were not factory installed and in fact neither were hubcaps. The hubcaps were packed in the cars but dealer installed.

You can also say that stoneguards and cowl lights were both accessories and standard equipment on some models.

I find this discussion interesting on just what was an accessory to be installed by dealer, and what you could order complete from factory. The term standard equipment (as opposed to options) implies such items were installed in factory, and delivered on every such model. So while a standard '31 Coach came basic, with bumpers and other accessories added by dealer (heater, trunk rack, smoker kit, etc)the '31 Deluxe Coach came with Stoneguard, Cowl lights and twin side-mounts as "standard equipment" installed before leaving factory. The dealer might then add bumpers, trunk rack, trunk, heater, smoker kit, etc to buyers preference.
As for the term "options" it implies you could order personal preference features from the factory and I assume this was things like paint color, upholstery choice and so on.
So there were really 3 categories of choices, accessories (like bumpers), factory options (like paint color), and model upgrades to Deluxe "standard equipment" (like side-mounts). Of course some items could always be had by dealer "post-factory alteration" such as adding cowl lights.