"These new Chevrolets for 1940 have been designed and built and
priced to be first again, first in quality, performance,
appearance, and economy, first in public favor, and first in sales,
again in 1940 as they have been in eight of the last nine years.
Chevrolet herewith presents three series of passenger cars, Special
DeLuxe, Master DeLuxe, and Master 85. All three are built to the
same high standards of quality, in design, materials, and
manufacture, for which Chevrolet has long been famous." From the
1940 Chevrolet brochure
For consignment, a 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Business coupe
showing 3,648 miles, but the true miles are unknown. While once the
stalwart chariot of a hard working American man, it's now intended
for fun even though the build is all business when it comes to
performance!
Exterior
Eye searing Rally Red will get your attention just before you hear
the roar of the Deluxe turn the corner, and the bumper delete
aspect of the car creates a wind defying profile which seems to
cant forward in movement even when parked. Articulated fenders
reach broadly beyond the body, arching over 15-inch Cragar wheels
that look just right while a hood scoop emerges from the hood,
jutting forward in the same attitude of the protruding headlights.
The slanted B-pillar follows the lines of the business coupe's rear
and whether the designers intended it or not, it's a well balanced
design that works well with the slightly raked stance presented
here. Imperfections are few, with some touched up and untouched
chips, scuffs, running boards showing some age, paint blistering,
uneven gaps with cracking paint where the bumpers would be on the
apron, and some evident filler flaws.
Interior
Gray cloth door panels retain the petite hardware associated with
period cars and show some light staining but are fully intact and
handsome. Gray vinyl ProCar reclining bucket seats occupy the cabin
with race style lap belts in red and the package shelf behind them
is configured as if a rear bench seat, with gray cloth and red
inserts, clean and attractive. A red leather wrapped chrome spoked
steering wheel on a tilt column fronts a dash with modern, digital
gauges and a Captain America Moon Equipped tachometer perched on
top. You'll also have the modern convenience of an AM/FM/CD radio
with Aux and USB connectivity and a VintageAir unit. Red, white and
blue color the mean looking Kilduff Lightning Rod shifter, three
sticks that look like something out of the NHRA! It's over black
carpet and under a gray headliner, both in great shape. The trunk
is barren, bare metal and currently houses an Optima yellow top
battery.
Drivetrain
Show worthy is the 400ci V8 from 1972 under the hood with FloTek
200cc aluminum heads and dual Holley 450cfm carburetors on a high
rise intake. The 700R4 4-speed automatic houses a Stage 2 shift kit
and 3200rpm stall converter, routing power to the Quick Performance
Ford 9" in back with 4.11 gears and Positraction.
Undercarriage
Clean conditions prevail underneath with a transmission cooler fan
is the first thing we encounter ahead of the rear axle. Headers
send a pair of pipes that enter Thrush mufflers just before heading
to the sides and exiting under the running boards. A Wilwood master
cylinder feeds the disc brakes in front and drums in back while
suspension includes a Mustang II front end and leaf spring with
traction bars in back. A driveshaft loop is present in this rust
free environment.
Drive-Ability
The 400 fires up with a discernible exhaust note and a smooth idle,
while the triple shifter in the center console is out of conduit to
movement, and we lap the car around the test loop where it
demonstrates obvious power, straight tracking, and a comfortable
cockpit. All functions on this well sorted build operate as
intended and we return the business coupe to the mall to await its
next transaction. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these
functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot
guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your
purchase.
If Captain America drove a car, this one would certainly fit the
bill. It's got influence from Chevrolet and Ford and even comes
with a Captain America helmet! Here's truth, justice, and the
American way wrapped up in a very nice street rod!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
ClassicCars.com has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, successfully making the Inc. 5000 list in both 2015,
2016, 2017 and 2018. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for
buying and selling classic and collector vehicles.
The Stevie Awards, the world's premier business awards recognized
ClassicCars.com's first-class Customer Support team with a Stevie Bronze Award in 2019, celebrating the team's skills as exemplary customer support specialists.
In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance.