The Chevrolet Baby Grand was an American car built beginning in 1914,[1] up until the 1922.[2] Built by Chevrolet to compete with the Ford Model T, this rear-wheel drive automobile was designed by Louis Chevrolet.
The Baby Grand was one of the first automobiles made by Chevrolet under Billy Durant. It was part of his idea to build a car to compete with the very popular and cheap Model T Ford. When it first came out, it was priced at $875[3] as a four door, 5-passenger touring car[4] ( a 1914 Model T touring was $500[5]). A speedometer was standard.[6] One advantage over a Model T Ford was that a Baby Grand could get a electric starter[4][6] (Model T's did not get them until 1919[7]).
| Year | Engine | HP | Transmission | Wheelbase | Weight | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1914 | 4-cylinder[6] | 20 | 3-speed manual | 104 in (2,642 mm) | 2,200 lb (1,000 kg) [6] | 5 |
In 1915, the Baby Grand got a longer wheelbase and larger brakes.[8] The big news was that the electric starter was now standard.[8] In 1916, the Baby Grand became the more "upscale" Chevrolet car as the $490 Chevrolet Series 490 was introduced to compete with the Model T. In 1917, the wheelbase was extended to 108 inches (2,743 mm).[2]