1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe 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 nicely preserved former barn find example is before us in its 1941 trimmings and design. This 2 door businessman's coupe sports nice lines, and full fender mounted headlights for 1941. Overall, for 1941 the car became taller and less sleek in its overall design, but adding more roominess to the interior. The running boards have disappeared, replaced by a simple flare rocker.
Exterior
All steel bathed in black paint, now showing its age with patina and some dulling. Our consignor states that the previous owner did an amateur paint job, however the doors still have their original paint. The trimmings are shiny and have some red pin striping for the grille which presents as good. It is an all chromed trimmed car though pre 1942 where all the trimmings save for bumpers went to color, but on this car the front bumper has been removed and the rear recently replaced with a shiny one. A bulbous hood, split windshield, those integrated headlights and a swept back all add up to a nicely designed car in 2 door form. A nicely rounded sloping trunk lid meets up the slope of the rear fenders and forms the back of the car, framed on the bottom with a shiny curved bumper. Gray painted Chevrolet rally wheels have shiny trim rings and chromed center caps with faux knockoff style hubs.
Interior
Tan mohair covers the door panels and seats. It is showing wear and slight dry rotting throughout. The door panels have fabric missing, and the seats have a few holes, particularly on the driver's side entry upper. The creamy antique white dash upfront is looking good and may have been restored at one time. The gauges are clean and no corrosion or pitting for the horizontal banded art deco design. Fronting this dash is an original steering wheel with brown overcoating wearing off showing the antique white underneath. The headliner is water damaged and showing in mohair. In the back the rear bench is in barn find condition and will need some TLC. Up front is a black rubber matting with protective carpeted mats showing wear and age and in back, a newer carpet sample has been put over top of these floors.
Drivetrain
Under the hood in the V shaped engine bay which is unrestored sits a 216ci inline 6 cylinder engine. It is topped with a 1-barrel carburetor and has a 3-speed manual on the back and 4.11 gears are in the rear axle.
Undercarriage
A new fuel tank sits in a field of heavy surface rust and a few invasive rusted underside panels are noted on this car. This invasive rust is especially evident on the floor pans and rockers with the rear driver's side rocker showing some invasive rust damage. The frame remains solid even though it too suffers from the surface rust. Independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs for the rear provide the ride. Drum brakes are on all 4 corners.
Drive-Ability
The car started right up and ran great. Handling wass fine and cruising was easy. Recent work includes a new carburetor, a new voltage regulator, a new generator, a new fuel tank, new master cylinder and new wheel cylinders.
A two door coupe that will need some TLC for the interior and attention paid to areas of the undercarriage prior to losing them. The car runs and drives as it should and is a great design. Overall a solid steel bodied car complete with all the chrome trimmings which will go by the wayside during the war.
14AH0237183
14-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
A-1941
H-Special Deluxe
02-February Build
37183-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 41 1027-1941 5 Passenger Special Deluxe Coupe
BODY NO M7449-Baltimore Body #
TRIM NO 116-Tan Broadcloth
PAINT NO 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.
