In 1931 Arthur Chevrolet’s aircraft business was dead in the water.  The Great Depression had spooked investors away, and production activities with the firm had ceased.  In looking for new opportunities, Arthur borrowed technology from the Chevolair aviation engine, and applied it to a new automobile racing mill called the Fronty AF16. 

 

The engine was based on the Model A Ford block, and used a special cylinder head with double overhead cams, and 4-valves per cylinder.  The intake and exhaust valves were “staggered” on each side of the cylinder, as opposed to having 2 intake valves on one side of the combustion chamber, and 2 exhaust valves on the other side.  The engine featured gear driven cams, special connecting rods, and a unique crankshaft. 

 

Art and his son Arthur Chevrolet Jr. drew up plans for the new engine, and sought assistance from the Ford Motor Company to field a new car for the 1931 Indianapolis 500.  The documents below shed some light on the development of the Fronty AF16, and Arthur Chevrolet’s quest to capture the Indy 500.