Ray DeAngelis 1937 Business Man’s Coupe
Chevrolet has been a leading company in auto manufacturing for over a century. Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant founded the company in 1911, after Durant had been removed from his position at General Motors (GM). Chevrolet is a company that can sell exceptionally well in almost any demographic it decides to market to.
Lower front-driver side angle of Ray DeAngelis 1937 Chevrolet Business Man's Coupe.
"Eye It – Try It – Buy It!" - Chevrolet (1937)
The Great Depression was a curveball in auto manufacturing across the United States, where individuals had to save their money more than ever. Chevrolet responded by reworking their market strategy to focus on reliability and affordability. Chevrolet marketed their 1931 models with the slogan "A Six for the Price of a Four," which represented the value of their six-cylinder engine compared to the average cost of a four-cylinder engine. During the Great Depression, Chevrolet was also forced to become resourceful when it came to production and material usage, as well as production levels. They closed plants, recycled materials to save costs, and negotiated on raw material prices. During this time, they also had to temporarily close production lines to avoid overproducing stock, matching the lowered demand for automobiles. The 1937 Chevrolet Business Man’s Coupe is a direct descendant of the marketing and production strategies that Chevrolet adopted during these challenging times. In 1937, the Business Man’s Coupe came with many innovations and was an early contender in auto trends that would follow in the years after.
The most apparent of the '37 Business Coupe’s many changes was the streamlined, all-steel body, introduced in a time where efficiency and safety were a priority. Chevrolet opted to convert to sleek and aerodynamic bodies to improve fuel efficiency. The change in manufacturing style, and the switch to all-steel body construction, improved safety and durability for these cars at the time. Internally, there were other innovations and changes made, such as the Knee-Action suspension. This change was introduced in 1934 and is featured on the 1937 Business Coupe as well. It provided a smoother ride, which was ideal for their target demographic—businessmen and salesmen who were often on the road. This car and its changes were specifically marketed to wealthy individuals and people who were seeking quality cars that would help them further their business endeavors more than before, or with any other make and model at the time.
Upper back-passenger side angle of Ray DeAngelis 1937 Chevrolet Business Man's Coupe.
The 87, and Counting, Year Old Chassis
This marvelously conditioned ode to time is owned by Ray DeAngelis, a quiet but avid collector in the Cleveland area. This car is part of a local chain of three owners, spanning over 43 years. DeAngelis got the car in March 2024, with the previous owner, a school teacher, having owned it for over 28 years. That gentleman had purchased it from another gentleman within the same school district, who owned it for over 15 years prior to that. DeAngelis, being an auto enthusiast himself, has owned well over 400 cars in his time and found this gem parked just two blocks down from where he lives.
“I was on my way to do a photo shoot on one of my other classic vehicles that I’m currently selling. I saw it sitting on the street parked next to the curb…”
Within a week of laying his eyes on the car, he bought it. DeAngelis describes the vehicle as “man against machine” with the lack of power steering, power brakes, and the 3-speed floor shifter. This car remains bone stock except for a motor swap to a similar, but more refined, engine from a later Chevrolet model.
DeAngelis stated, “...I’ve owned a lot of classic and non-classic cars before, all attention getters; however, I’ve never seen the amount of attention that this Chevy gets.”
Passenger side, above angle of Ray DeAngelis 1937 Chevrolet Business Man's Coupe engine bay.
Powertrain
Out of the factory, these 1937 coupes came equipped with a 3.5L, 216.5ci Straight-Six Chevrolet engine. They produce a modest 85 horsepower to the rear wheels at 3,200 RPM. What it lacks in speed, it makes up for in power, with 170 lb-ft of torque at 1,200 RPM. It’s an overhead valve engine with a cast iron engine block and head.
However, this car from DeAngelis has been swapped with the engine that comes in the 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air. Therefore, this car sports a 3.9L, 235ci Straight-Six Chevrolet motor. This well-regarded engine was nicknamed the “Blue Flame Six” to market its advanced features and, at the time, impressive power. Depending on the configuration of the motor, it can output an impressive 140 horsepower at 4,200 RPM and 210 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 RPM. It has an overhead valve setup with hydraulic valve lifters and pressurized engine lubrication. Like the 3.5L, it has a cast iron block and head with a single-barrel Carter or Rochester carburetor. As previously mentioned, this car has a bit of Chevrolet-designed tech called the Knee-Action suspension. It’s an independent front suspension setup that provides a smoother ride with better handling since each wheel travels independently, as opposed to leaf springs or a solid axle.
Driver side, lower zoomed in angle of Ray DeAngelis 1937 Chevrolet Business Man's Coupe Dashboard.
The All-Steel Body
This classic coupe has glamorous black paint with a spectacular red pinstripe along the side body lines. It has a factory-style 1937 tube tire setup, which is quite rare and hard to maintain. It has been re-upholstered with updated materials, including new seating, headliner, dashboard, and flooring.
Straight zoomed in angle of Ray DeAngelis 1937 Chevrolet Business Man's Coupe front badge.
The Future for This History
DeAngelis is considering donating this wonderful car to an auto museum, where its safety and quality can be guaranteed as a piece of automotive history. This Chevrolet is unique due to its stock configurations and minimal upgrades and refurbishments. It has a promising future ahead of itself thanks to the passionate owner and endless supply of appreciation.
