Vehicle Description
1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Coupe
The use of words such as "Special" "Deluxe" "Custom" "Special
Deluxe" "Custom Deluxe" hit an all-time high in the 1940's with
every other manufacturer using these descriptive monikers for the
naming of their car. Some of these were associated with trim
levels, others were the actual name of the car, denoting overall
quality. Even though there were many thousands of examples of each
model in the public domain, the individual owner was led to the
premise that they were literally the only one driving this model of
car!
For consignment, this 2 door 1941 Special Deluxe 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. A work in progress
toward the street rod end goal with apowerful V8, automatic
transmission, Mustang II suspensionand a few custom body touches.
Break out the catalogs and prepare to turn some wrenches...the
world is your oyster.
Exterior
This example is what happens when you start with a beautiful design
and play a bit to make it even better. French the lights on the
body, shave the unnecessary bumpers and all that other extra
weight, smooth all the body lines, then drench the entire body in
burnt orange and you now have an example of the 41 bowtie that
looks better than when it rolled off the factory floor. Only a few
runs and orange peel are noted in the paint, meanwhile no rust or
bubbling is noted. Rounded lines are accentuated tastefully by the
frenched headlights and the shiny red pinstriped grille. The door
handles have been retained as has the chrome Special Deluxe spear
on the hood and corresponding body belt line trim and we see small
round chrome mirrors on either A-pillar. A V-butt 2 pane windshield
leads back to the factory roofline which flows down and melts into
the trunk lid and pontoon style rear fender. A smoothed roll pan is
just under the shaved and smoothed trunk and on each rear fender we
note small chrome trimmed rectangle tail lights. The bulbous
fenders frame 15-inch Centerline highly polished wheels all wrapped
in staggered width blackwall rubber from the 9th week of 2020.
Quite the Chattanooga Choo Choo coming down the tracks right at you
and your garage.
Interior
As we swing the doors we are met with bare steel inner structures,
sans actuators but now showing with late model power window motors.
Tan deep pile household carpeting floods the floors and is floating
the interior with slightly worn and age cracked modern beige
leather high back buckets in front, and an equally as snappy rear
bench sans side panels. Riding the hump are the wiring and rocker
switches for the power windows. I can grab the wood rimmed banjo
style wheel and peer into the dash which retains its original
gauges and bezels. The center of the dash holds a perforated and
gridded chrome bezel, more akin to an automotive grille than
interior dress up. Above is the smoking station and below is the
partial controller for the removed heating system and under the
dash is a trio of auxiliary gauges. A tight tan headliner frames
this from above and it's time for us to get under the hood.
Drivetrain
A 350ci V8 Chevrolet engine fitted with a .480 lift camshaft now is
shoehorned into the bay, and it is fed by a Corvette 4-barrel
carburetor and Edelbrock intake which is topped by a chrome air
cleaner assembly. Double hump heads cap off the mill and are
dressed with 1.6 ratio roller rockers and Edelbrock valve covers.
Bolted to the back of this mill is a 700R4 4-speed automatic tranny
which sends the power to a 10-bolt Positraction rear axle with
consignor-stated 3.73 gearing.
Undercarriage
Solid steel all rust free sprayed in black, and all buttoned up
sums it up underneath. Dual Flowmaster exhaust runs from the mill
to the rear and ends just under the rear roll pan. Along the way
they pass by the factory frame, Mustang II independent coil sprung
front suspension and ladder bar rear suspension with coilovers and
both the front and rear suspension are adjustable. Also, they go by
power front disc braking and power drums in the rear.
Drive-Ability
Another nice example that one interested in this era car can check
out, and you too will be pleasantly satisfied. As I was on the test
drive where all my experiences, (acceleration, handling, cruising
and braking,), were all very positive with no complaints. However a
few frowns reared their heads during the drive. The horn wouldn't
toot, the wipers non functional, the brake lights did not
illuminate and the passenger's power window would not go down. We
also noted that the heater is not installed.
The 1940's were a great era for the manufacturers and the designers
really stepped it up a notch. Running boards were disappearing and
machining was looking much like it was done on an english wheel.
This in progress Special Deluxe, with snazzy body mods, a powerful
engine and a leather interior is ready to beat the band. Get in,
sit down, shut up and HOLD ON!!
14AH1115216
14-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
AH-1941 Special Deluxe
11-November Build
15216-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE NO 41 1027D-1941 Special Deluxe Coupe
BODY BO M454-Maryland Body #
TRIM NO 116-Tan Pile Fabric
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.
