1936 Chevrolet Three-Window Coupe FA/FD Master Series
Original price: $590.00 (Average, 1936: household income: $1,713, cost of a home: $3,925; gallon of gas: 10 cents)
On loan from: Terry Fierstein, Grand Island, NE
Number made: 10,985
Engine, etc.: 206.8 cu. in.; 79 bhp; 6 cyl.; 2,950 lbs.; 113″ wheelbase
The Standard Six was introduced by Chevrolet in 1933 as the Chevrolet Mercury. It was advertised as the cheapest six-cylinder enclosed car on the market. The Standard was offered in three body styles with 181 cu. in., 60 base horsepower engines and a top speed of 65 – 70 mph. They had full instrumentation though heaters, clocks, and radios were optional. In 1935 a larger 208.6 cu. in. engine with 74 hp was introduced.
Chevrolet made a number of improvements to the Standard Six in 1936. New models included the cabriolet and sport coupe. The frame and steel roof were new. Power increased to 79 hp including in the Master series. The spare tire was moved from the exterior trunk position to a compartment under the trunk. The Master and Master Deluxe series were made from 1933 – 1942.
Chevrolet built over 200,000 more cars in 1936 than Ford, its nearest competitor, and reclaimed the number one spot in car sales for the year.
All 1936 models including the Master series had the “turret top” bodies introduced by General Motors. For the first time, Chevrolet cars had hydraulic brakes which were a great improvement over previously used mechanical brakes. They all had 14-gallon gas tanks. The “FA” designation was used for Master series cars with coil spring front suspension and “FD” was used for those without this feature.
The Standard Six was discontinued in 1937 when the new more luxurious Master Deluxe joined the Master Series.
Sources:
https://www.conceptcarz.com/z23149/chevrolet-maseter-deluxe.aspx
http://classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=167&year=1936&model=4656
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Standard_Six
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Master
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/members/AardvarkPublisherAttachments/9990572025688/1936_Chevrolet_Info_B.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/20111015143707/http://gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/docs/Chevrolet/1936-Chevrolet.pdf (Chevrolet 1936 Engineering Features, Master Passenger Cars, 76 pgs. and specifications)
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1936_Chevrolet/1936%20Chevrolet%20Deluxe%20Brochure/index1.html (Original dealer brochure)