83 years young and ready for its next adventure. This 1940 Chevy Special DeLuxe Town Sedan has been in the family since Grandad bought it new with his hard-earned coal miner wages in Southwestern PA.
The 216.5-cid inline 6-cylinder and recently rebuilt 1-bbl carb mated to a 3-speed manual on the column fires right up with the floor-mounted ignition pedal. The seller notes that with the carb rebuild, the historically finicky vacuum shift assist was removed which can make 1st to 2nd gear shifting tricky at first. The odometer reads 99k miles but the total mileage is unknown. A new battery was just installed (6V system) and the plugs were cleaned and re-gapped for smooth-running results.
Moving to the interior displays original components with all gauges, windshield wipers, cowl vent, parking brake, and heater operational. The radio and clock operation is unknown. The tan-colored cloth front and rear bench seats are in average condition as are the door panels. The owner isn't certain of the origin but knows Grandad installed a fitted, full rear seat cover when he purchased the car. (This very well could be a dealer-ordered accessory from Chevy). The headliner is in very good condition and all 6 windows roll and vent as they should noting 1 crack in the driver's side door glass (see highlighted photo).
The black exterior paint is of driver-quality with some light hazing and scratches on various locations around the car. The chrome and bright work shine well with minimal pitting. Running boards have been upgraded with well-fitting fiberglass replacements. The ample trunk area is solid and contains 2 spare tires on the original wheels with 1 additional wheel cover. The original jack and tools fit nicely in the recessed "toolbox" which includes an additional wooden cover.
The chassis and its components are in average condition with minimal, light surface patina. The exhaust appears in almost-new condition said to be roughly 10 years old by the owner. The bias-ply tires wrap a matching set of 16" wheels with all Chevrolet hubcaps intact.
Additional items included with the car include; the original bill of sale, owner's manual, an ashtray option (which can replace the radio), a few spare OEM parts, and a car cover. The car is registered PA Antique and retains a clean title in the owner's name.
We see the next owner cruising down the road while turning heads and creating smiles with every passerby. With many early 40s cars chopped, channeled, and street-rodded, a true time capsule is not often found in such a nice, highly original condition with such a rich history.
