1914 Chevrolet Series H-2 Royal Mail Roadster

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

The target was Henry Ford and his incredibly popular Model T. Swiss race driver and engineer Louis Chevrolet, who had driven for Buick in 1909, approached William C. Durant about building a new car, and the two men formed the Chevrolet Motor Company in 1911. Durant’s goal was simple: make enough money to buy back the company he founded in 1908 and lost in 1910, General Motors. The first Chevrolet in 1912 was a large, expensive auto that found little interest, but in 1913 the company announced the 1914 Series H as a Ford competitor. Available in two versions, the stylish two-door Royal Mail roadster for $795 and the four-door Baby Grand touring for $850, the Series H cars were powered by a 171 cu-in four-cylinder engine with an advanced overhead valve design that made 24 horsepower, driving a conventional three-speed transmission (as opposed to Fords two-speed planetary gearbox). The well-equipped Series H was a stark contrast to the spartan $700 Ford Model T and was popular and profitable enough to allow Billy Durant to quickly take back control of General Motors in 1915. This historic 1914 Royal Mail is number 1,752 out of 5,005 Chevrolets built that year and would be an early centerpiece to any Chevrolet collection or dealership. 

Robert A. Jones, a successful businessman and second-generation leader of the still going concern, Jones Brothers Contracting of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, had an innate understanding of the many heavy duty machines that were a part of the family business.  Early on, Mr. Jones turned that knowledge into a passion for road cars and acquired his first collector car in 1969, at the age of 35 — the famous Ford Model T. That single and simple pre-war car sparked a passion that never tempered for Mr. Jones and eventually, influenced by the more common Jones family marque of choice, his passions would burn even brighter for early Chevrolets. As his collection grew and changed over the years, his interests were focused on displaying the cars at regional shows and concours, as well as still driving many of his road-worthy classics. Hagerty Marketplace is proud to offer The Jones Collection, entirely without reserve, comprising some long-treasured vehicles from his personal collection.  Highlights 

• Offered from The Jones Collection 

• First low-priced, mass-market Chevrolet model 

• First year of the Series H Royal Mail roadster 

• First Chevrolet to wear the iconic “Bowtie” logo 

• Number 1,752 out of 5,005 Chevrolets built in 1914 

• Rear storage compartment

• High quality restoration 

Features 

• Stylish roadster body 

• 171 cu-in overhead valve four-cylinder engine 

• Zenith carburetor 

• Three-speed manual transmission 

• Four-wheel leaf spring suspension 

• Speedometer 

• Klaxon horn 

• Mohair top 

• Side curtains 

• Gas lamps   

• Wood wheels 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all of the lots in The Jones Collection are offered after many years of storage, without operation, in a climate-controlled facility.  The Hagerty Marketplace Team endeavored to bring most back to running potential, however, as a result of their extended static display, all lots will benefit from additional mechanical attention before being driven to address any imperfections associated with long-term storage or individual preferences. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

• Light scratches and chips from hood use  

 Ownership History  This 1914 Chevrolet Series H-2 Royal Mail Roadster has been a much-loved part of The Jones Collection since 2003. It was purchased from a Green Bay, Wisconsin, enthusiast who had owned it from 1979.  Additional Notes 

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.  

Contact: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com