RARE CONVERTIBLE CHEVROLETS

This page is an index to some of the most, if not the rarest, Chevrolets ever! These are pictures of varying quality I am afraid, and the problem is that of scanning. Nevertheless the impression is there and better quality photographs will be posted as soon as practicable.
1. 1936 Model Gläser-bodied 4-door Phaeton or 4-door Cabriolet
These cars were based on the Fisher Body 1023 Imperial Sedan with its longer-wheelbase chassis. These cars were imported into the Antwerp, Belgium Plant of General Motors Continental S.A. and then railed to Gläser in Germany for conversion to 4-door Phaeton or Cabriolet which was equivalent to the Model 1016 Phaeton. The actual model was: MASTER DE LUXE IMPERIAL 7-SEAT LIMOUSINE WITHOUT DIVISION or SPECIAL SEDAN WITH TRUNK, MODEL 1223 FISHER 1023. The cars were then railed back to Antwerp or the Rotterdam, Netherlands office. The exhibition car is at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1936. The car with top down still exists and was sold new in the Netherlands: F.B. Vrijaldenhoven.
2. 1936 Model Jensen-bodied drop-head coupe
The Motor magazine, London, 9 June 1936 contained a small item, with photograph of a unique Chevrolet: a special drop-head coupe by Jensen Motors Limited of West Bromwich, Birmingham, England who at the time were just starting building Ford V-8 powered cars with their own bodywork. This was a Master Six chassis, probably Model 1016, to the special order of Jensen Motors Limited. Certain alterations were made to the chassis. The overall height was reduced by 4 in., and the steering column was raked and extended. A spring-spoked steer ing wheel was amongst the special equipment fitted. When the folding top was flat, it fitted flush with the top line of the body and mated nicely with the long, low, bonnet line.
3. 1937 Model Holden-bodied Master Tourer
This is a very rare car! It is one of 27 1937 Master chassis Tourers imported from Oshawa, Canada, on Sedan chassis [Model 1006] and bodied by General Motors-Holden's, Australia. There were also five 1938 Models. These bodies differed from the US/Canadian style in a number of ways: Restored Cars, Australia.
4. 1939 Model 4-door Cabriolet
This is a 4-door convertible sedan converted probably from a Master 85 Sedan with stick floor-mounted gearshift, no "knee-action" front suspension and leather trim. These were converted by General Motors Continental, Antwerp, for Belgium and The Netherlands. The Plate on the car identifies it as a Model 1267, which is a Fisher Body Number for a Convertible Coupe. However, it should be be a Model 1229, which was a deluxe convertible sedan or Phaeton convertible: F.B. Vrijaldenhoven.
5. 1939 Model 4-door Cabriolet
Part 1:
GENERAL MOTORS WORLD January 1940
Part 2:
GENERAL MOTORS WORLD January 1940
PHOTOGRAPH NEXT TO SWISS CORVETTE!
Philipp Stettler of Switzerland owns the last one known of the 15 1939 Model Swiss Army conversions.   The Build Plates say:  

Chevrolet Division

Chevrolet Master 85

Year: 1939

Body No.: B 39-690-12

Style No. 39-1229 s  

General Motors Suisse SA Biel

Model: (TRG.) Touring Phaeton

Motor No.: 258 13 12

Chassis No.: JB-39-690-12

This is one of 15 of the first batch of converted Sedans for the Swiss Army. It is probably the only survivor! The story is explained in the extract from General Motors World. It is known that these cars had a long military career: this survivor was purchased in 1963 in an ex-military vehicle sale by a farmer, and is now being restored. NOTE THE CORRECT DESIGNATION OF MODEL 1229!
6. 1940 SPECIAL DE LUXE SERIES KA CABRIOLET [Belgian assembly]
This is a beautiful car! This was assembled at the Antwerp Plant of General Motors Continental SA at Anvers [French] or Antwerpen [Flemish] or Antwerp [English] in Belgium before the plant was bombed in May 1940. They were assembled from CKD kits from Bloomfield New Jersey Boxing Plant. This car would have been seized by the Germans when Belgium was occupied, and would have been pressed into military service: Bart Vanderveen.
7. 1941 FORMAL SEDAN
This photograph is courtesy Lou. It is presumably a conversion on a US Sedan. It had an original Fisher Body Plate stating that it was a Formal sedan. A Formal Sedan doesn't have side window behind rear door whereas a Sport sedan does. The Fisher Plate should therefore have had an "F" suffix.