[Bob Bidonde]

Knee-action shocks were introduced on the 1934 Chevy Master Series and they were used up until WW2. Knee-action shocks were a failure, but that does not explain why very few Model "A" era Chevrolets survived.

What follows is from an article in Hemmings about Chevrolets of the Model A era, and some of the following text is from Chevrolet ads of the day. I have emboldened certain text in red to highlight what I consider poor features of the Chevrolet:

( Re the new 6-cylinder engine) Displacing 194 cubic inches via its 3-5/6-inch bore and 3-3/4-inch stroke, the three-main-bearing engine used a 5.02:1 compression ratio and Carter one-barrel RJH-08 updraft carburetor to make 50hp at 2,600 RPM and 122-lbs.ft. of torque at 1,800 RPM. This inherently balanced engine was upgraded in 1931 with a stronger engine block, stronger crankshaft and a redesigned harmonic balancer for markedly smooth operation, and its torquey nature and flexible power band meant that fewer shifts of the unsynchronized three-speed manual gearbox were needed.

Chevrolet also differed from Ford in the way its bodies were built; while Ford's bodies were constructed primarily of steel, Chevrolet car bodies used a large proportion of wood in their "composite body" construction. Their advertising heralded this: "This is not only the strongest, safest, most durable type known, but it is exactly the same type used in the highest-priced cars. A framework of selected hardwood is fortified at all points of stress by staunch steel bracing. Over this strong framework are mounted sturdy steel panels, so that the wood reinforces the steel and the steel reinforces the wood." Ironically, this traditional method of body construction would be the Chevrolet's downfall, leading to its lower survival rate than equivalent Fords.