Augustus Eberman's 1941 Chevrolet

1941 Chevrolet Coupe owned and restyled by Augustus Eberman of Geneva, Wisconsin. Augustus worked as a development engineer for Oscar Meyer, and the Coupe is believed to have been designed by Brooks Stevens, who also designed the original Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.

A construction photo showing the modified frame and engine in the car. Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

Eberman's Coupe as it appeared after the build had been completed. The car is running 1961 license plates in the photo, and according to later owner Dan Tonielli, the build was completed around early 1961. Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

A title from 1967 shows that the car by then was owned by Augustus son Barton. In 1976 Barton put the car in storage. Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

The coupe as it appeared when it was pulled out of storage in 1990. Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

The Eberman Coupe as it appeared after Dan Tonielli bought it in October of 2016. Photo courtesy of Dan Tonielli.

A photo of Dan's Coupe taken at the 2017 Custom Car Revival. Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Bballchico.

Photo courtesy of Dan Greenberg, from The HAMB.

The hood ornament is an air speed measuring device. Photo courtesy of Dan Greenberg, from The HAMB.

Photo courtesy of Dan Greenberg, from The HAMB.

1941 Chevrolet Coupe owned and restyled by Augustus Eberman of Geneva, Wisconsin.

The Brooks Stevens Connection

Augustus worked as a development engineer for Oscar Meyer, and the Coupe is believed to have been designed by Brooks Stevens, who also designed the original Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Myron Vernis asked David Stevens and Alice Preson about the Wisconsin-Chevy, and neither of them had any recollection or record of the car. As far as we know, no one has been able to make a real connection to Brooks Stevens.

Radically Restyled

Eberman's Chevrolet was turned into a sporty 3-window coupe by shortening the wheelbase and body of the car. The body was sectioned and channeled during the operation, reducing the overall height of the car. The modified roof was kept unchopped. The license plate was tunneled in under the deck lid. After the body had been sectioned, the grille had to be cut down. The side trim was also shaved before 1937 Hudson bumpers were installed.

Hopped Up

Augustus had the engine bored .030 increasing the size of the engine from 216 cubic inches to 224. It was then fitted with 8.5:1 Jahn's Pistons, an Iskenderian 3/4 race cam, Ford 6 cylinder 221 cubic inch inserts rod bearings, and dual carburetors. The radiator came from a 1951 - 1954 DeSoto. Eberman kept the standard gear ratios in the transmission, and the rear end was a standard 4.11:1.

Barton Eberman

According to the later owner Dan Tonielli, the build was completed around early 1961. A title from 1967 shows that the car by then was owned by Augustus son Barton. In 1976 Barton put the car in storage. It stayed in storage until 1990 when the car was sold to Francis Walters. Francis drove the old custom around the block and parked it.

Do You Recognize This Car?

In October of 2016 Dan Tonielli of Ottawa, Illinois bought the car from Francis' estate at an auction in Ottawa. "I knew the auctioneer that was handling the estate and was able to look at it before the auction," Da told Kustomrama. Unfortunately, Francis had severe dementia when Dan bought it, and the son of the builder has passed away with no relatives, so information about the car is scarce. Please get in touch with Kustomrama at mail@kustomrama.com if you have any information to share about the Eberman Coupe.