The 1932 Chevrolet Confederate Series BA was marketed by GM as the "Baby Cadillac" and is widely recognized today as one of the best-looking cars of the Classic Era. It featured a Cadillac-style radiator shell and chrome plated rectangular opening doors to cool the engine in the hood sides instead of louvers, a longer hood and new deep crown front fenders. The frame received an additional crossmember that aided the ride comfort.

Under the hood is a 194 cubic inch overhead valve inline six-cylinder engine, factory rated at 60 horsepower. Factory literature claimed a top speed of 70-mph. Nineteen thirty-two marked the first year that a synchromesh transmission was offered in all three forward gears. This example has the optional Free-Wheeling; first offered in 1932. The owner shares that “it allowed the car to coast when the driver took his foot off the accelerator pedal…offering greater fuel economy. Customers soon found the lack of downhill engine braking to be more harrowing than it was worth and the option soon fell out of favor.”

Period Chevrolet advertising stated “Looming larger every day as the Great American Value.” Handsome and Fisher Body craftsmanship attracted many to the 1932 Chevrolet and is possibly remembered in a period photo showing athlete/actor Johnny Weissmuller (the Olympic swimming champion who went on to fame as Tarzan of the Jungle in the movies) with his very similarly trimmed personal car.

The ’32 Chevrolet had to compete against Ford’s new models featuring a new V-8 and all-steel bodies. The solid nature of the Fisher Body (using wood and steel framing), plus a more ridgid chassis structure and hard-rubber engine mounts afforded the Chevy a smooth and refined ride at a reasonable cost. The satisfied Chevrolet owner thought that the solid “thunk” that comes from closing a door framed in wood versus the “tinny clank” from Ford played a part in its popularity, and buyers agreed and bought a reported 100,000 more Chevrolets than Fords in 1932.

This iconic 1932 Chevrolet was formerly in the collection of Robert Stempel, Chairman and CEO of General Motors (1990 to1992). Following his passing in 2011, the car was acquired by the current owner. With such a distinguished provenance you would expect the restoration to be of the highest quality and in that regard this example does not disappoint.

This beautiful Sport Roadster is finished in Dagestan Blue with the interior featuring tan hides and canvas soft-top, plus yellow wire wheels wrapped with whitewall tires. Chevrolet produced approximately 323,000 vehicles in 1932. Although the roadster was the least expensive 1932 model at $445, not many were made - about 1,100 of the standard model and another 8,552 of the higher priced ($485) Sport Roadsters, accounting for less than three-percent of total production.

The DeLuxe models were set apart from entry level models by their assortment of unique equipment and a broad range of color options. Chromed cowllamps, chrome side hood doors, sidemount spares and twin trumpet horns were some of the notable features. A tilting windshield adds an even more open driving option; while this also represents the first use of the cowl vent for directing fresh air into the passenger compartment. Thanks to the rumbleseat the roadster could accommodate two to four passengers. Listed as optional equipment in period writings, this Chevy also has fenderwell tire locks and a luggage rack.

The outstanding condition is further seen with the following show field results:

Most Outstanding Vintage Automobile – 1932

2013 Greenwich Concours D’Elegance

First in Class

2013 Belltown Antique Car Show