Chevrolet National Model AB

[Ferrer]

The 1928 Chevrolet National Series AB was offered with a $50 discount off its base price, a tactic GM's low-priced division used to keep sales momentum rolling after Ford launched its all-new 1928 Model A at prices lower than Chevrolet. The plan worked, and though Ford would soon turn the tables, Chevrolet was once again the sales leader in 1928.

The 1928 Chevrolet National Series AB was basically a renamed 1927 Chevrolet Series AA Capitol. But it looked fresher, thanks to a wheelbase stretch of four inches, to 107 inches, and a handsome facelift.

The new look was one of the first projects from GM's Art & Colour studio, and followed its creation of the 1927 LaSalle. Compared to the 1927 Chevy, the 1928 National displayed a longer and straighter hood, flowing fender lines, lower profile, and smoothly integrated body panels. That longer hood was no styling frivolity; it was necessary to accommodate the six-cylinder engine that was soon to come.
Meanwhile, the old reliable 171-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine gained higher compression, larger valves, aluminum pistons, and a revised carburetor for a final breath of life and a rating of 35 horsepower at 2,200 rpm. Because of increased weight, performance failed to improve.

More important to buyers, Chevrolets adopted four-wheel brakes, though still mechanically actuated. At mid-season, a convertible sport cabriolet replaced the non-opening version. Late in 1928, four-cylinder cars were dropped, making way for the sixes.

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