Vehicle Description
This 1940 Chevrolet Master Deluxe two-door sedan proves that just
before the war, basic transportation was anything but. With a nice
older restoration, this one is ideal for summertime tours and
casual shows, giving you an entry ticket into dozens of great
events all at a budget price.
1940 is a great bridge between the older, upright models of the
1930s and the streamlining that would arrive after the war. You can
see on this Chevrolet that the headlights are merging into the
fenders, the windshield is gracefully swept back, and the rounded
contours suggest speed and power. At the same time, there are
running boards (in great condition, by the way), fender-mounted
parking lights, and a graceful hood ornament that recall a more
elegant and simple era. Burgundy was a popular choice in 1940 and
still looks great today, especially when the car is straight and
rust-free like this. Is it perfect? No, but it has an honesty that
ideally suits the Chevy's personality and will always attract
admiring glances out on the road and inquisitive questions at every
gas stop. The chrome details really pop against that handsome
paint, including the nicely detailed grille and bumpers with
guards, and it includes a unique front grille guard that dresses
things up a bit.
A car with this much space inside seems unusual today, but in 1940,
it was standard equipment even on the relatively compact Chevy. The
handsome red vinyl with textured cloth inserts isn't exactly how it
came from the factory, but it looks great and gives the car an
upscale feel. The three-spoke steering wheel feels substantial and
makes the unassisted steering easy even at parking speeds, and the
column-mounted shifter, now in its second year, is easy to operate
with just your fingertips. The gauges have that warm feel of the
vintage radio console in your grandparents' living room, and offer
a fairly complete view of what's going on under the pointed hood.
This car also includes a heater, which was still optional in 1940.
Ironically, the interior features durable rubber floor mats, just
about the only thing that reveals the Chevy's mass-market mission,
while the trunk has been carpeted to match and includes a set of
vintage tire tools.
As the model number would imply, Chevy's reliable "Stovebolt" six
made 85 horsepower in 1940 and offers a silky smooth feel that
defines the era. Not totally isolated like we expect today, but it
has a feeling of precision machinery going about its business.
There's a freshly rebuilt carburetor atop the original intake,
inhaling through a correct oil bath air cleaner, and an electronic
ignition module inside the original distributor. Factory-style
cloth wrapped wiring is in good shape, and the 6-volt ignition
system still lights the fires with no problems. It has a pleasant
grumble from the new single exhaust system that you'll recognize
from your favorite old movie, and the chassis is in great condition
for a car that you're going to want to drive. The original
suspension and brakes still do their job quite well, and it wears
flashy 6.00-16 whitewalls, which frame a set of trim rings and
nicely detailed hub caps.
Just a neat old car that's reliable, easy to service, and fun to
drive, all for a very reasonable price. If you're interested in
stock old cars instead of hot rods, this is a great place to start.
Call today!