History Chevy flatbacks

I'm interested in info and pictures of '37-'39 Chevy flatback sedans. I've got a rare '39 4dr Master 85 that just got painted after 30 years in primer! What have you?

 

never heard of such a thing.

 

Dean, let's see a couple of pictures of that bad boy, you have a darn rare car there!!!


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I have seen them and liked them,
But why are they so Rare?

 

Yours before the paint, Dean?

 

Some two doors I've seen in the past but I believe the 4 dr above may be the only one of those I've ever seen. Wasn't that model the lowest production of all the 39 Chevys, somewhere around 1200-1300 if I remember correctly?

 

Before this post, I've never seen one.
(I would remember, because of my history with '37 Ford 'flatbacks'...)
VERY cool...

 

Damn rare - 336 Master 85 sedans, and the Master Deluxe is possibly extinct - 68 built.
Coaches (2dr sedan w/o trunk) aren't any easier to find, with 1,404 & 180 before being axed.
They're rare because no one wanted a car with an outside spare tire and no trunk in the thirties - too old fashioned ...

 

My 1937 Flatback back in 1980.

 

Thanks for the responses! You are correct when you said their were 336 Master 85 4dr produced in 1939. I thought about p***ing this one off as a Master Deluxe, but the stock ID plates on the cowl would give it away. Mine has body number 2 stamped in it so it probably came off the line the first day of production. And yes, that is my car in primer! Will try to include some pictures. Some other differences - the taillight stalks are unique to this car, they are much shorted than the '37-'38's and the sedan deliveries. The rear fenders are the same as the '39 sedan delivery. The rear body section is unique to the '39 because the '37-'38 had a double belt line going all the way around the car. And it is supposed to have a convex hump in the rear bumper to miss the old tire cover but of course I can't find one. P.S. I'm looking for a grille center strip if you know of any.

 

Down here in New Zealand I have 2 friends that own / owned Chev flatbacks, both 4 doors, a rodded 37, and the other is a stocker 38..

 

Chevy Flatblack?? OH, you mean Chevy SLANTBACK!
Flatback

 

^^^^Don't know what you Cal people call them but I've only ever heard them called Flatbacks, not Flatblacks.

 

long ago I owned a junker 37 Olds 4-dr slantback.

 

Very nice Chevrolet, Dean.
Using the proper factory terms gets you funny looks ... tell somebody you're looking for a '35 Chev Coach & see what happens.

 

Dean, the car looks great. Definitely a rare one. We'll see if anyone else can post up a picture of a 39 four door flat back.

 

so what did the factory call them?

 

Two door flat backs were called Coach Sedans. The four door flat back was a Master Deluxe Sedan versus the trunk back that was called the Master Deluxe Sport Sedan.

This is from the 60 years of Chevrolet book published in 1972. Likely could be some inaccuracies and there probably a handful or perhaps even one built as a Master 85. Most likely some frugal buyer and the trunk back cost $21 more!




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There's one for sale here. If I didn't already have too many projects I'd snap it up. I wonder how many were made RHD?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/chevrolet/auction-1173495652.htm

 

RHD must be equally as rare!


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I have a RHD four door 1939 Flatback. It has been in storage for twenty years. I started the old girl today for the first time since she was put in the shed in 1996. There are still a few minor problems to sort out before she is back on the road but it was great to hear the motor run.

 

Was there an area behind the back seat to carry stuff? They sure are an odd one, kinda neat.

 

There is a cavernous space behind the back seat but you have to lift the back of the back seat up to access it. It is a heavy and awkward lift for a small or elderly person. This is probably why there were not so popular.