Retracing the journey: A Chevrolet 490 Touring and a family adventure

Sometimes, a single photograph can spark an entire journey. Last year, while browsing through old family albums, we—brothers Lucas, Stijn, and Wiel—along with our father, discovered a series of remarkable pictures. They depicted our great-grandparents embarking on an adventurous road trip from Nijmegen, in the Netherlands, to Switzerland in the summer of 1922. The route took them through Belgium and France, with one photograph even revealing the name of the town of Houffalize in the Ardennes and another capturing the Col de la Forclaz near Geneva.

 

Through further research and conversations with distant relatives, we learned that our great-grandfather’s sister and her husband had accompanied them on this journey. Looking at the images, it was clear that this was more than just a trip—it was an adventure. And like many classic car enthusiasts, we couldn't help but feel inspired.

 

Passion for automobiles runs in our family. Our father restored a 1949 Mercedes-Benz 170S, and it seems our great-grandparents shared a similar enthusiasm for the open road. Following in their footsteps, we decided to recreate their journey—though whether we will actually undertake it in a pre-war car remains to be seen. However, one detail intrigued us most: the car they drove.

 

Carefully examining the photos, we identified the vehicle as a Chevrolet 490 Touring, a model produced in the United States between 1915 and 1922. With its distinctive four-cylinder overhead valve engine, it was an innovative and popular choice for its time. Naturally, the next step was to find one.

 

Locating a Chevrolet 490 Touring in Europe proved more challenging than anticipated. For a time, we even considered importing one from the United States. Then, thanks to PreWarCar.com, we discovered what seemed to be the perfect match at Viklit Graae Jørgensen. Now, with the car in our possession, we are eager to create our own memories—continuing the legacy of adventure and appreciation for classic automobiles that has been passed down through generations.