1931 De Vaux 6-75

Special features

  • 70 horsepower, L-head design, Hall engine
  • Six port intake manifold
  • 113" wheelbase
  • Free Wheeling offered as an option ($20.00 extra)
  • Extra long springs controlled by double action Houdaille Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
  • Steeldraulic four-wheel brakes
  • Timken bearings
  • Spiral bevel gears in rear axle
  • 6 inch frame with 2-1/4" flange
  • Staunch "customized" Hayes bodies constructed of unit-welded steel and selected hardwood
  • Bodies completely insulated against cold in winter and heat in summer
1931 De Vaux 6-75
1931 De Vaux 6-75
1931 De Vaux 6-75
1931 De Vaux 6-75
1931 De Vaux 6-75
1931 De Vaux 6-75

Models and prices

Body stylePrice
Standard Coupe2
Standard Sedan3
Sport Coupe – Rumble4
Sport Sedan5
De Luxe Coupe6
De Luxe Sedan7
Custom Coupe8$795.001
Custom Sedan9$795.001

1 1931 prices, US dollars, f.o.b. Grand Rapids

2Wheels: Wood – painted (natural wood or 5 Wire – $10.00 list extra). Upholstery: Bedford Cord; Finish: One tone lacquer – Enameled Sheet Metal, Black Headlights, Chromium Rim; Extra Equipment: Bumpers, front and rear, tire and tube, Tire lock, Houdaille two-way Shock Absorbers.

3Wheels: Wood – painted (natural wood or 5 Wire – $10.00 list extra). Upholstery: Bedford Cord; Finish: One tone lacquer – Enameled Sheet Metal, Black Headlights, Chromium Rim; Extra Equipment: Bumpers, front and rear, tire and tube, Tire lock, Houdaille two-way Shock Absorbers. dome light, smoking tray, quarter window lifts, silk curtain on rear window, tailored door pockets and robe rail. Front seat is adjustable two inches.

4Wheels: Five Wire. Upholstery: Mohair; Finish: One or two tone lacquer – Enameled Sheet Metal, Full Chromium Headlights, Chromium Cowl mouldings, Chromium running board mouldings; Extra Equipment: Bumpers, front and rear, tire and tube, Tire lock, Houdaille two-way Shock Absorbers. driver's seat and rear window are adjustable. Tailored door pocket.

5Wheels: Five Wire. Upholstery: Mohair – with Arm Rests; Finish: One tone lacquer – Enameled Sheet Metal, Full Chromium Headlights, Chromium Cowl mouldings, Chromium running board mouldings, Quarter Curtains, Robe Rail, Foot Rest; Extra Equipment: Bumpers, front and rear, tire and tube, Tire lock, Houdaille two-way Shock Absorbers.

6Wheels: Five Wire. Upholstery: Mohair; Finish: Two tone lacquer – Lacquered Sheet Metal, Chromium Headlights, Chromium Cowl mouldings, Chromium running board mouldings, Walnut interior trim; Extra Equipment: Bumpers, front and rear, tire and tube, Tire lock, Houdaille two-way Shock Absorbers.

7Wheels: Five Wire. Upholstery: Mohair – with Arm Rests; Finish: One or two tone lacquer – Lacquered Sheet Metal, Chromium Headlights and Tie bar, Chromium Cowl mouldings, Chromium running board mouldings, walnut interior trim, Satin finish metal Robe Rail, upholstered Foot Rest and other refinements; Extra Equipment: Bumpers, front and rear, tire and tube, Tire lock, Houdaille two-way Shock Absorbers. Arm rests, silk curtains at quarter windows and rear, assist cords, dome light, tailored door pockets, two smoking trays. Front seat is adjustable. rear quarter windows are adjustable.

8Wheels: Six Wire. Upholstery: Mohair; Finish: One or two tone lacquer – Lacquered Sheet Metal, Chromium Headlights and Tie-bar, Chromium Cowl Mouldings, Chromium running board mouldings; Extra Equipment: Bumpers, front and rear, trunk rack, two tires and tubes, Chromium Tire Covers, Tire Lock. Stylish landeau irons, tailored door pocket. Driver's seat is adjustable.

9Wheels: Six Wire. Upholstery: Mohair – with Arm Rests; Finish: One or two tone lacquer – Lacquered Sheet Metal, Chromium Headlights and Tie-bar, Chromium Cowl Mouldings, Chromium running board mouldings, Walnut interior trim, Assist Cords, Silk Curtains at Quarter Windows and rear, Arm rests, Satin-finished metal Robe Rail, Upholstered Foot Rest, dome light, two smoking trays. Extra Equipment: Bumpers, front and rear, trunk rack, two tires and tubes, Chromium Tire Covers, Tire Lock. front seat is adjustable. Rear quarter windows are adjustable.

Serial number range

  • M-1001 to M-4745 (Grand Rapids, April 6 to December 31, 1931)
  • M-4746 to M-5609 (Grand Rapids, January 1 to March 31, 1932)
  • C-1001 and up (Oakland, April 15 to September 25, 1931)

Grand Rapids and Oakland shared one series of 6-75 car numbers, 1001 to 5609: each number was used only once, with M or C in front of it for the factory that built the car. So there is no C and M car with the same number.

Hayes body numbers

  • Standard Coupe: 151-
  • Sport Coupe: 152-
  • Sport Sedan: 150- (158- also reported)
  • De Luxe Coupe: 153-
  • Custom Coupe: 151- (153- on four known cars)
  • Custom Sedan: 154-
  • Standard Sedan and De Luxe Sedan: not known

See Hayes body numbers for the other makes.

Specifications

Engine6-cylinder "L"head unit power plant designed by Col. Elbert J. Hall, rubber mounted at three points, 4-point suspension, four bearing crankshaft, six port intake and exhaust manifold. Bore 3-3/8", stroke 4", 27.34 horsepower S.A.E rating, actual 70 brake horsepower. Interchangeable bronze-backed babbit-lines main bearings; camshaft bearings steel shell babbit-lines. Aluminum-alloy pistons, force-feed lubrication, non-detonating cylinder head, torsional dampener. Camshaft driven by silent chain. Equipped with oil filter.
Cooling systemCellular radiator, capacity 3-3/4 gallons. Large centrifugal water pump. Thermostatic water-temperature control. Temperature indicator on dash. Filler cap under hood.
Fuel systemLarge gasoline tank, capacity 15 gallons, mounted at rear of chassis. Electric gasoline gauge on dash. Automatic fuel pump in connection with fuel filter and double Venturi high-power carburetor having metered accelerating pump. Hot-spot with manual adjusted heat regulator for varying climate conditions.
Electric systemTwo unit, 6-volt Auto-Lite interconnection with 15-plate, 119 ampere-hour battery. Distributed mounted above engine. Automatic spark advance in connection with manual spark control mounted on dash. Starting switch, floor type. Coincidental ignition lock.
Exhaust systemBurgess muffler, with scientifically proportioned pipe.
ClutchSingle plate, dry type, multiple spring. Fitted with dampener.
TransmissionSelective. Three speeds forward, one reverse. Countershaft drive and second speed constant mesh quiet helical gears. Helical gear thrust taken by deep-groove ball bearings. High and second speed shift, positive clutch. First speed and reverse, sliding gears. Roller-type Free Wheeling on all forward speeds, with hand control on instrument board.
Front axleReverse Elliott type, drop forged, heat treated I-beam. Tapered roller wheel bearings. Steering knuckles fitted with ball thrust bearings. Bronze bushings.
Rear axleSemi-floating type. Tapered roller bearings on axle shafts and differential housing. Drop forged ends, electric welded to steel tubes, malleable center, uninterrupted lubrication flow. Differential carrier adjustable without dismantling or removing lubricant. Drive pinion supported on deep-groove ball bearings. Hotchkiss type drive in connection with two all-metal, oil-tight dust-proof, Universal joints.
Steering gearWorm and sector type with roller bearing thrusts on worm. Hand wheel adjustable for driving positions.
BrakesFour-wheel internal expanding, steeldraulic, fully enclosed. Protected by grease deflectors. Full mechanical linkage.
FrameSide members 6" deep with 2-1/4" flange. Five cross members. Tubular cross member at front and wide plate cross member at rear.
SpringsFront spring, 36" long, shackled at front end. Rear spring, 54-1/4" long, underslung at rear axle tube. Front and rear springs, controlled by double-acting Houdaille hydraulic shock absorbers. Self-adjusting shackles front and rear.
WheelsWire, full drop-center, demountable at hub, Wood with demountable semi-drop center rim. Tire size, 19×5.00 all-weather tread.
Body metalFront fenders, one-piece stampings, heavy gauge. Rear fenders, heavy gauge, deep crown. Running boards, steel, reinforced. Vulcanized rubber-covering. Chromium moulding on edges. Headlight tie-bar attached through fenders to "U" shaped flanged fender supports for rigidity. Fully shielded with radiator apron, side shields and rear frame shield.
Wheelbase113 inches.
Standard equipmentInstrument panel includes oil pressure gauge, temperature indicator, 90 m.p.h. speedometer, gasoline gauge and ammeter. Indirect lighting. Pull-knob for spark, throttle and choke control.
BodyCombination heavy gauge reinforced steel and wood construction. Front seat adjustable.

References

  • [DFR-DS] V6#3, V7#1, V7#3, V9#2, V9#4