Chevrolet Deluxe: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Chevrolet Deluxe catalogue contains two Cabrio versions from one generation produced from 1949 to 1952: 3.6 MT and 3.9 AT. The choice is straightforward. The 3.6 MT pairs 92 hp with a 3-speed Manual gearbox, while the 3.9 AT combines 105 hp with a 2-speed Automatic gearbox.
The Chevrolet Deluxe catalogue contains two Cabrio versions from one generation produced from 1949 to 1952: 3.6 MT and 3.9 AT. The choice is straightforward. The 3.6 MT pairs 92 hp with a 3-speed Manual gearbox, while the 3.9 AT combines 105 hp with a 2-speed Automatic gearbox. Both have Gasoline inline 6-cylinder engines, RWD, Independent, spring front suspension, and Drum brakes at the front and rear. The 3.9 AT offers 13 hp more and an Automatic gearbox; the 3.6 MT offers the Manual alternative with the smaller engine.
Chevrolet Deluxe generations and versions
There is one Chevrolet Deluxe generation in the supplied catalogue. It was produced from 1949 to 1952 as a Cabrio and includes two versions: 3.6 MT and 3.9 AT. With no other generation or restyling listed, there are no generation-to-generation changes to compare. The buying decision therefore rests entirely on engine output, displacement, gearbox type, and number of gears.
Chevrolet Deluxe engine and specs comparison
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Valves per cylinder | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 MT | 92 hp / 68 kW | not measured | 3548 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | 2 | not measured | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| 3.9 AT | 105 hp / 77 kW | not measured | 3859 cc | Gasoline | 6 | Inline | 2 | not measured | 2-speed Automatic | RWD |
The 3.9 AT has 311 cc more displacement than the 3.6 MT, an increase of about 8.8%. Its output rises by 13 hp, or about 14.1%, and by 9 kW, or about 13.2%. The larger engine therefore delivers a greater proportional increase in power than in displacement.
Calculated from the supplied displacement and output figures, the 3.6 MT produces about 25.9 hp per litre, while the 3.9 AT produces about 27.2 hp per litre. In metric output, the corresponding figures are about 19.2 kW per litre and 20.0 kW per litre. On power density alone, the 3.9 AT holds the advantage.
The engines otherwise share the listed fundamentals. Each version uses Gasoline, 6 Inline cylinders, and 2 valves per cylinder. Boost is not measured for either version. Engine position, fuel system, compression ratio, bore and stroke, and specific fuel grade are also not measured.
The transmission choice creates the clearest practical distinction. The 3.6 MT has a 3-speed Manual gearbox, giving it one more forward gear than the 3.9 AT, which has a 2-speed Automatic gearbox. Both versions use RWD.
Chevrolet Deluxe performance, mpg, and economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption | CO₂ | Eco class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | |
| 3.9 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h and top speed are not measured for either 3.6 MT or 3.9 AT. The extra 13 hp of the 3.9 AT is a confirmed specification, but it cannot support a numerical claim about acceleration or maximum speed without measured performance data.
City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for either version, so an mpg comparison cannot be made. CO₂ output and eco class are also not measured. Engine size alone does not establish which version uses less fuel.
Chevrolet Deluxe dimensions and weight
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 MT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 3.9 AT | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
Kerb weight and gross weight are not measured for either Chevrolet Deluxe version. Consequently, weight per horsepower cannot be calculated: the power figures are available, but the required weight figures are not. Ground clearance, fuel-tank capacity, and wheel sizes are likewise not measured for the 3.6 MT and 3.9 AT.
Overall exterior dimensions are not measured in the supplied data either. The catalogue identifies both versions as Cabrio models, but it does not provide length, width, height, or wheelbase figures.
Chevrolet Deluxe brakes, suspension, problems, and reliability data
The 3.6 MT and 3.9 AT have the same listed chassis specifications. Both use Independent, spring front suspension, with Drum brakes at both the front and rear. Rear-suspension details are not measured.
No failure records, repair frequencies, durability measurements, or reliability ratings are supplied for either version. It is therefore not possible to claim that the Manual or Automatic version is more reliable, or to identify version-specific problems from this catalogue data.
Which Chevrolet Deluxe version should you buy?
Choose the 3.6 MT if the Manual gearbox is the priority. It combines a 3548 cc Gasoline Inline 6-cylinder engine with 92 hp, 68 kW, a 3-speed Manual gearbox, and RWD. It also has one more forward gear than the 2-speed Automatic alternative. This is the smaller and lower-output choice, but no fuel-consumption or weight measurement is available to show that it is more economical or lighter.
Choose the 3.9 AT if higher output and an Automatic gearbox matter more. Its 3859 cc Gasoline Inline 6-cylinder engine produces 105 hp and 77 kW through a 2-speed Automatic gearbox and RWD. Compared with the 3.6 MT, it adds 311 cc, 13 hp, and 9 kW. It also reaches about 27.2 hp per litre, versus about 25.9 hp per litre for the 3.6 MT.
On the measured specifications, the 3.9 AT is the stronger all-round choice because it provides both the higher output and the Automatic gearbox. The 3.6 MT remains the clear choice for a buyer specifically seeking the 3-speed Manual configuration. Price data is not supplied, so there is no factual basis for deciding whether the 3.9 AT’s additional 13 hp justifies any extra cost. Likewise, absent performance, economy, weight, reliability, and dimension measurements prevent either version from claiming an evidence-based advantage in those areas.