Vehicle Description
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 example is before us in its 1941 trimmings and
design. This 2 door business man'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. 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 doors still have their original
paint. The trimmings are shiny and have some red pin striping for
the grille which presents as excellent. It is an all chromed
trimmed car though pre 1942 where all the trimmings save for
bumpers went to color, but not yet on this car! 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 with some edge add ons which appear a bit in rough
condition. Gray painted steel wheels have shiny trim rings and
chromed center caps with faux knockoff style hubs.
Interior
Sandstone 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 antique white dash upfront is
looking good and may have been restored at one time. Gauges are
clean and no corrosion or pitting for the horizontal banded art
deco design. Fronting this dashes 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.
Floors are devoid of carpeting up front and some invasive rust is
seen on these fronts. 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.
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 and the the vacuum shift works as it
should. A great design and solid steel bodied car complete with all
the chrome trimmings which will go by the wayside during the
war.
VIN DECODE
14AH0237183
4-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
AH-Special Deluxe
02-February Build
37183-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 41 1027-1941 5 Passenger 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 650 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.
