Bedford WL

The Chevrolet Series AE Independence (or Chevrolet Independence) is an American vehicle manufactured by Chevrolet in 1931 to replace the 1930 Series AD Universal. Calendar year production slipped by about eight percent to 627,104 cars as the Great Depression continued, but as Ford's output plummeted by nearly two-thirds, Chevrolet reclaimed first place in the American car sales table, and the 8th million car was produced August 25, 1931. Yearly appearance changes, technical updates and standard or optional features for 1931 included the introduction of the "quail" hood ornament, a curved tie-bar connecting the headlights, wire- spoked wheels became standard equipment, while optional equipment listed front and rear bumpers, covers for side mounted spare tires, spotlights and guide lamps that would turn with the front tires. William S. Knudsen was joined with M. E. Coyle as General Managers. In May of 1925 the Chevrolet Export Boxing plant at Bloomfield, New Jersey was repurposed from a previous owner where Knock-down kits for Chevrolet, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac passenger cars, and both Chevrolet and G. M. C. truck parts are crated and shipped by railroad to the docks at Weehawken, New Jersey for overseas GM assembly factories. Dedicated body style production continued while assignment changed from previous years based on demand.

Specification

The main change between the Series AE and the outgoing AD was two-inch increase to the wheelbase, which was now . It remained powered by the "Stovebolt" six-cylinder engine, now producing . The 2-door Cabriolet, of which just over 23,000 were produced, could reach a top speed of . As refinement continued rubber engine mounts were now used to minimize vibration from entering the passenger cabin and a heater was optionally available. The Phaeton body style meant it was a four passenger convertible. The Art and Color studio headed up by Harley Earl began to consolidate the appearance of all GM products which meant that for each year all GM cars looked the same with the careful observer able to distinguish the different brands. To the casual observer, the Chevrolet was more plain than the top level Cadillac while the luxury car was essentially longer with more chrome exterior features.

Bedford WL

The truck versions of the Independence were also produced in the United Kingdom by Bedford Vehicles in Luton, under the name Bedford W-Series. They were produced from 1931 until 1939,2> from knock-down kits, but received many updates and modernizations during their production run, eventually receiving a new cab but the chassis remained the same. It also served the basis for the Bedford WT truck, which were slightly different.9>

It was replaced by the Bedford M-Series range of trucks that had a similar cab style but were based on a different chassis. The truck was produced in two versions. The WG (that signified short-wheel base variants) and WL (that signified long-wheel base variants).9>

Specifications

* ''Bedford WHG'' - 2 tonner version with an 10ft 11in wheelbase.
* ''Bedford WLG'' - 2 tonner version with an 13ft 1in wheelbase.
* ''Bedford WS'' - 1.5 tonner version with an 10ft 11in wheelbase
* ''Bedford WM'' - 2.2 tonner version with an 10ft 12in wheelbase.
* ''Bedford RM'' - 2.3 tonner version with an 10ft 15in wheelbase.

See also

*1931 Cadillac Series 355
*1931 LaSalle Series 303
*1931 Oldsmobile F-Series
*1931 Buick Series 50
*1931 Oakland

References

Series AE Independence
Cars introduced in 1931
1930s cars
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