In 1941, with the Depression mostly over, Chevrolet introduced a newly styled more modern body that included hidden running boards, and had an extremely successful sales year. All 1941 Chevys were powered by the trusty 90 bhp 216 cubic inch six cylinder connected to a synchromesh three speed transmission. The Special Deluxe was the top of the line trim, with the least expensive model of all Special Deluxes was the Business Coupe.
Chevrolet sales that year topped one million units, over 600,000 of which were the more expensive Special Deluxe line. 1941 was clearly an extremely good year for America’s best selling car brand, but as collector cars they seem to have been eclipsed by the Ford brand they handily outsold.
This 1941 Special Deluxe Business Coupe for sale here on Craigslist in Somerset, New Jersey caught my eye, as a somewhat unusual find these days. The seller calls it a “survivor” and a “true barn find” and it certainly looks the part.
It is said to be in original condition and may have had one repaint or possibly just touch up at some point earlier in its life. The car was stored in a barn in Massachusetts from 1962 until last year completely untouched.
The seller subsequently installed an exhaust system and brakes, including the lines, wheel cylinders, master, and pads on all 4 wheels. According to the seller, the car “starts stops runs and moves.” It does have some typical rust, specifically the rockers and rear quarters are rusty, though the floors are claimed to be good. The car is equipped with its original engine and manual transmission. It comes with a clean title and an asking price of $5500.
The interior looks usable as is, but the bumpers are pretty rusty. It’s not clear whether the engine and transmission will need work to make this a driver. At least for me, while the car is really attractive, and does appear relatively solid and original, the asking price is just a bit on the high side, given the extent of the rust repairs that will be needed – if you have to work on the rockers and fenders, there may be more hidden rust found, and then your costs will quickly escalate. At least for me, with the history this car has, I’d keep this car as original as possible, as its “as found” look is so nice. This old girl would be a fun car to own. Some of our readers might like to make this into a hot rod, while others would doubtless prefer to keep it original. What would you do with this nice old survivor if you were to be its next owner?
Buy it service it & run it.
Keep it as original as possible.
Side note: I am currently looking at a 47 Chevy coupe with less rust issues and it also runs, drives but doesn’t stop so well and it’s only 2000.00
This car is all kinds of cool, a simple honest suviver. One thing we have to remember is this was built one year before civilian production was halted in faver of military equipment. If this were my car I would do a body off frame restoration, because it deserves to be brought back to its former glory. As mentioned above the idea that this should be hot rodded seems wrong to me it is a complete car that has stayed together for 75 years, and even when it is restored care has to be taken not to over restore it with things like base coat clear coat paint or a 12 volt alternator. I would love to have this car but I am not in a position currently to bid how ever I do hope it lands in someone’s hands that will get it fixed up and back on the road
Obviously the poster of the ad didn’t do the brake work himself or he wouldn’t have said the “pads were replaced”. He’s probably too young to remember drum brakes all around!
While usually referred to as “Brake Shoes,” they are also brake pads.
I’m the previous owner. The work was all done by myself. The car eventually sold and it’s new home is in Hamburg, Germany.
Thanks for the update Steve!
Non-synchromesh for first gear though, Synchro first didn’t show up in Chev until many years later, early 60s I think. But a neat car and a true survivor, it certainly qualifies as such, i.e. kept all original and stored for over fifty years.
Chevrolet did a few things differently in this era starting in 1939 by not offering a convertible coupe and then bringing out the 1940 model as a 1 year only body style. As the 41’s were all new. They did offer a convertible in that 40 model with a weird frame setup after not offering one in 39. The new 41’s did offer a convertible.
Nice old car. I also would fix what need, and make it as original, as possible. A shame to build a hot, or rat rod.
But 5000 its a bit to much, for me at the moment, shipping to Europe also cost 2500 or so.
Good prospect for a restore, BUT, that old Chevy 6 has poured rods, you know, Babbitt. And not a pressure system, splash I think. I might have the right mix in the barn somewhere, if Dad didn’t make bullets out of it!
We had a ’48 sedan that Pops found a ’50’s (’53 maybe) GMC 6 engine with inserts and pressure oil feed to swap out.
Couldn’t tell them apart except for the filter on the Jimmy!
And plan on knee/lever shocks, not cheap to rebuild even.
$2500 would be too much with so much rust, does look complete for what we see,
my $.02.
One of these was my first car ride home from the hospital as a newborn. As a WWII family vehicle, it didn’t go much of anywhere due to rationing. But Dad’s stories about rebuilding the stovebolt 6 engine and trying to keep the poor thing running illustrated how you had to apply “shade tree” skills if you needed a car. And we won’t have a long discussion about WWII recap tires. We had it for well after the war as Dad’s commuter car. Rebuild the car, yank that engine out and put it aside and source a look alike engine per Keith’s suggestion. $2,500 sounds close, but still on the high side.
I’m digging that old jewel for sure. Part of me thinks the seats have a slip cover on them, that crinkly blue just don’t look right. I am no authority on 41’s so I am probably wrong. LOL. I would keep it as original as possible, except possibly the engine as mentioned previously. I would restore the bright work and replace those bumpers with nicer original ones. Definately address whatever rust issues it has because once started it is hell to stop. Price wise I would save commenting on that until I actually saw it face to face. A deluxe is a rarer find than a standard so that is something to consider.