Vehicle Description
1940 Chevrolet Master Deluxe
In 1940, Chevrolet released an expanded line. The Master 85 was
joined by the Master Deluxe, with the Master Deluxe being the
fancier, more expensive model. All 1940 models, while similar in
style to the 1939s, had received enough of a facelift to give them
a more modern, streamlined appearance". The Master Deluxe would
also be offered in a top-of-the-line convertible called the Special
Deluxe series. Both the Master 85 and Master Deluxe lines were
offered in a business coupe, two-door town sedan or four-door sport
sedan. The 85 line also included a woodie wagon, and the Deluxe
line, a Sport Coupe. The Master 85 retained the solid front axle,
with the Deluxe series coming with "knee-action" independent front
suspensions. The standard engine was the 216.5-CID in-line 6, which
provided 85 horsepower. Perhaps the wording in a 1940 magazine
advertisement summarizes the 1940 Chevrolet best: "The Crown of
Beauty Belongs to Chevrolet with New Royal Clipper Styling.
Chevrolet's First again! Eye it . . . Try it . . . Buy it!"
With this consignment wrenching is an understatement. More like a
total transformation and now we give you a fully custom rod version
of the 1940 Chevy Master Deluxe. This rebuild has taken many
styling cues from the street rod culture such as snappy named
pastel paint, the absence of body chrome and an amazing drivetrain.
Read on to learn what it takes to make a rod this mean and
nasty!
Exterior
Mostly true to its original design, we see straight steel panels,
honed to their final curvaceous form, with fat fenders, running
boards, a rounded roofline, and curved trunkline. The hood comes to
a shiny point with the chromed horizontal lined "Groucho Marx"
mustache style front grille clip and is framed on either side by
large bullet style headlights that sit proudly on the front fenders
along with smaller outboard marker lights. The original trim for
the hood runs back toward the raked and Veed dual pane windshield
and all of the chrome trim has been shaved or painted body color as
well as the rear bumper. An orange and black stripe runs from front
to back along the beltline of this exterior and expands to form a
bowtie with speed lines trailing rearward at the front of the rear
quarter panel. This stripe also stands as the delineation mark
between the Vanilla Shake colored upper body and Sweet Georgia
Peach that bathes the lower panels. A few chips, dings, and bubbles
are noted in this finish, but one must look closely to see them.
Polished deep dish custom wheels adorn each corner for that "just
right" look.
Interior
Gray broadcloth in a smooth pattern covers most of the custom door
panels which now have black billet for the window cranks and
actuators. In the center is a dark gray vinyl padded arm rest and
finishing the top of the door is silver paint over steel. Moving
inside we are greeted with a pair of modern high back bucket seats
in perforated light gray broadcloth tuck and roll inserts and
smooth charcoal gray bolsters. This pattern continues to the rear
seats which are a pair of low back buckets and our consignor notes
that these seats are courtesy of a 1991 Dodge Daytona. A small
console and Hurst shifter for the automatic transmission are noted
and all of this is supported by gray carpeting with clean gray
carpeted mats. Upfront looking to the dash for more inspiration is
a tilt steering column, a gray wrapped bowtie logoed wheel,
modified simplified custom dash with a mix of VDO and AutoMeter
white face gauges and a Mooneyes tachometer. Also noted is an
AM/FM/CD radio with a Streetrod badge attached to the factory
chrome speaker grille. A clean gray broadcloth headliner hangs
above and shows as new.
Drivetrain
A recently rebuilt 1974 350ci V8 removed from a 1974 Monte Carlo
rests in the closed side engine bay, very clean and spit shined
with smatterings of polished aluminum for the valve covers and air
cleaner assembly, both by Edelbrock. Feeding this healthy mill mill
its dose of air and fossils is an Edelbrock 4bbl carburetor and the
valves are actuated by an Edlebrock Performer camshaft. A TH350
transmission, which is a 3-speed automatic, is attached and a
10-bolt Positraction 3.08 geared rear axle from a 1974 Camaro puts
the power to the pavement.
Undercarriage
A nicely done frame, flooring and body hangers are finished in
black with a smattering of minor surface rust but no structural
issues are seen. A Mustang II independent coil spring front
suspension is on along with power disc brakes and for the rear we
see leaf springs and power drums. Lest I forget, this car has a
dual exhaust system Flowmaster mufflers which snakes its way
rearward and ends well in chromed tips.
Drive-Ability
Upon the fire up we were met with a nice throaty sound. Popping it
into gear is effortless and we were off to the test track. This car
has good acceleration, a nice ride, good brakes, and superior
handling. All functions were working well during our test
drive.
Overall a very nice rodded Master Deluxe, now even more deluxe than
ever. Plenty of work to modernize the looks and the mechanical
innards, but no fear of chipping the paint during spirited driving,
and you can have a turnkey showstopper whether it be up main street
or at an actual show.
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.
