James Corlew Chevrolet

1914 Chevrolet Royal Mail Roadster

In late 1913, just two years after its founding, Chevrolet introduced the 1914 “Royal Mail” roadster. It was the first Chevy to wrap almost every Chevrolet-specific attribute into one car. Contemporary and jaunty, the Royal Mail had great visual appeal. Its reliable 171-cid 4-cylinder engine had overhead valves, a premium design that contributed to its relatively high power rating. The car’s moderate $750 list price included a top, windshield and speedometer — items that had been accessories on more expensive cars just a few years before. In retrospect, it seems fitting that the Royal Mail was one of the first models to carry the Chevrolet bowtie badge.