1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Business Coupe
In the wake of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the government decreed that to conserve scarce metals, cars built after January 1, 1942, were to use no brightwork apart from chrome-plated bumpers. Grilles, belt moldings, and hubcaps were painted in contrasting colors, creating what became known as "blackout" models.
A pre Pearl Harbor car with all gleaming chrome trimmings and fully restored to factory condiment, all aspects of this highly optioned model are like new. The exterior, interior, highly detailed engine bay and engine, and undercarriage. It's a show car that you could drive to work everyday.
Exterior
This car's gleam and glam just never ends. Leading the way is a large chromed bumper with a smaller top horizontal bar and 2 vertical stats in the canter for added interest. These chromed pieces all have red painted on ribs, some horizontal and some vertical, and provide just the right amount of highlighting to the chrome shine. A round fog light is also topping each side of the bumper and the wonderfully 40's style "Groucho" mustache grille undulates under the hood and frames the inside of the rounded over exterior fenders. On the edges of these fenders are a single round bezel headlight within a chrome visor and a chromed streak is seen running on top to add highlight to the tops of the fenders. A bulbous hood has a curved C H E V R O L E T badge with bordering ribs above and below. The large central Art Deco hood ornament tops the edge of the front of the hood, and is just gleaming with no dimpling or fading. As this rounded over V hood runs rearward, it shows chromed vents on either side and another Chevrolet badge. A split windscreen has chromed edges and doors have chrome laden mirrors hanging off either side as well as a spear running along the beltline continuing the line from the vents in the hood and completing it at the rear of the car. Running boards have virtually disappeared these days, and the rockers have a nice chrome trimmed edge. The rear fender slightly protrudes and on its leading edge is a chromed gravel shield. The trunk of the car has a nice gentle curving rear trunk lid and this corresponds to the rear fenders. In the center is the handle and on either side of the fenders are a tail light horizontal rectangle with more vertical accenting chromed ribs underneath. A perfectly preserved chromed rear bumper wraps the bottom edge of the curving rear roll pan. Meanwhile, flat chromed exhaust tips peek out of either side. The wheels are black just like the body work paint which is miles deep. These 16-inch wheels have Chevy badged moon caps in their centers and are edged by wide white wall tires. A wonderful presentation of chrome and black paint.
Interior
Camel tan fuzzy broadcloth covers the door panels and front bench sides and bolsters. On the top and bottom of the doors are thin brown vinyl panels and actuators have brown bakelite covering the knobs and bezels of the shiny cranks. The split front bench has a herringbone tan/brown tweed look broadcloth covering and in back due to being a business coupe there is no black seat and it goes through to the trunk. If there was room or some product for sale was moved, the salesman would actually sleep in the back of the car. The dash upfront is looking good with more art deco styling and features handsome round gages in chromed with a central gridded chromed panel, on the passenger aide is a clock. Turning our attention to the dash top, there is a light magnifier so the driver can see if the street light changes if the top vision is obscured. In the center of the lower dash is an AM radio and a few bakelite pulls and knobs; it looks like a jukebox. Under the passenger's side of the dash we see a Kleenex box holder which was actually a dealer option. Below are tan carpeted and rubber floors and these are protected by black floor mats. Above is a perfect tan headliner and it has plenty of wind cording at its edges all in nice condition.
Drivetrain
Under the hood in the V shaped engine bay which is painfully restored and looking like it's from the showroom sits a 235ci inline 6-cylinder engine. It is painted gray and looks like new with its Blue Flame badge on the side of the valve covering. It is topped with a 1-barrel carburetor under an oil bath air cleaner to feed the precise amount of air and fossils. There is a 3-speed manual on the back and 4.11 gears are in the rear axle. This engine is showroom along with all its adding and wiring. Dual large horns emanate forward from the firewall.
Undercarriage
It is a full restoration and since the top is excellent we would expect nothing less from the undercarriage. And we get hot with perfectly applied new undercoating in black, no rust and nary even road dirt. Like new stock dual exhausts are running from engine to rear exit. The car rides with front independent coil springs and rear leaf springs for the suspension and drum brakes are all around.
Drive-Ability
As expected a smooth operator, fine handling and solid braking. The interior is fully functional and even the radio picked up some reception on the AM band. While a good runner, handler and stopper we noted the brake lights were dark, and the clock did not keep time.
A businessman's coupe complete with the space to put your wares in back, get out and sell sell sell! Let's call it a show car with gobs of chrome, black paint with a few faults and a snazzy interior courtesy of Artie...Artie deco that is!
14AG0428735
14-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
A-1941
G-Master Deluxe
04-April Build
28735-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 41 1227-Master Deluxe Business Coupe
BODY M3072-Baltimore Body #
TRIM
PAINT 297-Black
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
