Vehicle Description
1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Woody Station Wagon
The 1940 Chevrolet Master and Special were advertised with the
slogan "Royal Clipper Styling". Lines were more flowing, an
"alligator" hood was used, and the grille bore a strong resemblance
to that of the higher-priced Buick. "The Crown of Beauty Belongs to
Chevrolet with New Royal Clipper Styling. Chevrolet is first again!
Eye it . . . Try it . . . Buy it!" Almost makes me want to rush to
the showroom and buy it, which indeed many actually did.
For consignment, a 1940 Special Deluxe "Woody Wagon". This beauty
is the factory steel and wood, and has been restored to the
fullest. It has plenty of room with 3 rows of seats and the
original 216.5 I6 cylinder engine, a vacuum assisted shift 3-speed
manual, and all working functions except the clock. Surfs up for
this 59,205 title verified actual mile example!
Exterior
Starting with a chromed "Groucho Marx" mustache styled and shaped
horizontal ribbed grille and a bulbous hood above complete with
flying lady hood ornament and alligator stainless venting on either
side of the hood, all we need to add is the large cloisonne badge
that wraps around the front to the hood and we are in 1940's
heaven. In keeping with the 1940's theme, we move to jet black
curved fenders with large bullet style headlights atop, and a
flanking smaller bullet style turn signal at their sides. In front,
these are framed by a simple curved bumper with vertical guards, a
bed rail topper and embossed stripes running the length. A black
steel rounded fender sits outboard from the body and dips down to
meet the ribbed black rubber covered running boards that take over
and join the steel up with another bulbous fender in the rear.
Higher up and aft of the bulbous fenders the wood begins and has
been fully restored showing in correct ash, birch and oak in three
dimensional inset panels. A beautifully curved rear vinyl wrapped
roofline seamlessly melts into the rear upper swing up window frame
in wood, and lower bottom hinged door all for easy access to the
storage compartment. Hanging off of the back gate is a full size
spare tire in wide white form and complete with a beauty cover. It
has a single squared off tail light hanging front the gate and
below is a shiny split round the corner bumper, nice and wide. Wide
whites by BF Goodrich in 16-inch format are wrapping black wheels
with moon caps that have a blue Chevrolet badge in the center and
topping things off are shiny black pinstriped beauty rings.
Interior
The doors are simply beautiful with oak book matched veneer panels
covering the straight wood framing structure of the doors. Here we
shiny actuators and cranks with a chrome inserted knob. Sipping
inside I'm greeted with a faux wood painted on dash and it shines
like a crazy diamond. Not just from the lacquered faux graining,
but also from the chrome in Art Deco form that covers the dash in
vertical speaker grille ribbing and rectangular gauges within a
lighter faux wood bezel. Bakelite knobs and pulls also pepper this
dash and give it a warm cozy feel and a bakelite clad AM radio sits
dead center in the dash. Speaking of warm and cozy, the benches are
beautifully covered in pristine saddle brown vinyl. You have 3 to
choose from where the second row is more like a half bench with its
curved metal frame and vinyl seat. There is also a 3rd row full
bench seat to choose from and it is also pristine. Ribbed rubber
floods the floors and more wood paneling in ash and oak continues
for the interior. Above is a beautiful fairing strip ceiling with
90 degree wood struts holding it together and curving with the
roofline. In back a small stowage area and the interior of the gate
is lined with wood and to protect the rear of the 3rd row seat. A
wonderful warm presentation in Art Deco and vinyl with
lots-o-bakelite and lustrous lumber.
Drivetrain
Under that large domed hood in a fully restored, but slightly dusty
engine bay is the correct and original 216.5ci inline 6 cylinder
mill. It is topped with a 1-barrel carburetor which resides under
an oil bath air cleaner system. The block and valve covering are
bathed in pristine battleship gray paint. New wiring and hoses
abound, and this has a 3-speed manual transmission on the back that
is equipped with vacuum assist. The rear axle is a 4.11. All is
looking fab under this woody's hoody.
Undercarriage
Obviously with the previously described parts to this car it was
undertaken by a passionate and talented builder, and underneath is
no exception. Solid framing and floor pans, all painted black, with
nice rockers and body hangers support the body with ease and come
to us with a peppering of road dirt, patina and some surface rust
on the usual suspects. Independent coil spring front and leaf
spring rear suspension is on, and drum brakes are on front, and
rear.
Drive-Ability
Not only a looker, but on the test track it can be deemed a cooker
too! Great smooth acceleration, fairly effortless manual shifting,
and good handling for a large wood embellished weighty car. All
functions save for the clock were in working order, and I'd have to
say solid A for the drive-ability section.
A very nice and meticulous build on a very low mileage example that
is holding its own to this day. Plenty of attention to detail for
the wood and steel, and a very nice interior. All you need to do it
turn the key and load up the fam and yup can officially yell ROAD
TRIP!
3KA0118852
3-St. Louis, MO Assy Plant
KA-1940 Special Deluxe
01-January Build
18852-Sequential Unit Number
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.
