If their 1929 six-cylinder gave Chevrolet the edge over Ford in the American sales race, it was the 490 that provided them with a weapon against Lizzie.
   By 1916 the good old two-speed planetary box was getting a little long in the tooth, and the Chevrolet's orthodox three-speed gear-set and overhead-valve engine, with exposed pushrods, represented quite an advance on Model-T. Springing was by quarter-elliptics all around, and there was no handbrake, the "service" system being operated by the clutch pedal, while the foot-operated "emergency" brake incorporated a ratchet for parking. The model designation represented the list price in dollars, though electric lighting and starting set you back another USD 60.- Sales quadrupled in six years; General Motors, who took over in 1917, had bought themselves a gold mine, but Ford was still far ahead.
   It is quite certain that the price for the 490 was pressed under a reasonable, staying level, being able to earn money for the company. So Chevrolet raised the price some weeks after the presentation, and never came back to even the Ford-price.When Ford reduced his price, Durant could not go lower. The T-Ford still sold very well, but the time was running out for the model as the book describes:
   By 1921 the all-round transverse springing, tiny and ineffectual brakes, and high, boxy coachwork were showing their age. No more brassware and accessories, all to save money and keep the price as low as possible made the Lizzie a cheap, ordinary car not cooping with the development in the years to come. The 490-model also had to be changed to a better one in 1923.
   
   (Erling Storstrøm)
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