Generally, I come across more Fords from the ’39-’41 era and many of them, I’m sure, to the chagrin of Ford fans, possess small-block Chevrolet engines. Lately, however, I have been finding more Chevrolets from that era (and no, they don’t have Ford engines) and they are frequently stock and original. Case in point, here’s a 1940 Chevrolet Special Deluxe Coupe, located in Bismarck, North Dakota and available here on eBay for an opening bid of $5,000, reserve in place and no bids tendered as of this writing. Thanks to Ikey H. for this tip and many others!
Chevrolet offered several different body styles in the Special Deluxe trim level for ’40 and this example was known as the “Four Passenger Coupe”. The “Business” coupe had similar external lines but no back-seat. In the pecking order, the “Special Deluxe” was top of the heap with the “Master Deluxe” in the middle and the “Master 85” bringing up the rear.
This Special Deluxe example is classified by its seller as an “All Original Barn Find” having been in storage since 1981. Partially as a result of its lengthy slumber, this Chevy has only amassed 51,000 miles. The seller adds, “Car has little rust and a few minor dings here and there, and will need some TLC to be road worthy.” Based on the images, I would agree as the overall presentation appears to be sound. There are too few images of the exterior (and probably too many of the interior) but this coupe has promise. As usual, I would advise interested parties to scope out this 80-year-old Chevy carefully but there is no obvious evidence indicating big corrosion or integrity problems.
Regarding the interior, and there is plenty of photographic evidence present, it just looks tired. Not terrible, just tired as you would expect. And that begs the question is it age (80 years) or usage (51K miles) that causes the wear and deterioration? Or perhaps it is environmental, as in how the car was stored. The interior is usable as is but it’s going to need some help. No word regarding the floors but the initial assumption is that they are OK. Ditto for the dash gauges though the seller adds that the lights, heater and radio work so that’s a positive for everything else in the interior.
Under the hood, what else (no, not a small block V8) but a 216 CI, in-line “Stovebolt” six-cylinder engine that wrings out 85 HP. And yes, it runs! The seller says that it “starts and runs” though it has no battery or gas tank. A quick search around the internet turns up several vendors who can provide a fuel tank. With only 51K miles on the clock, a bit of rejuvenation and maintenance is all it should take to make this Chevy roadworthy again, at least as far as the engine is concerned. Gear shifting is handled via a three-speed manual transmission.
It’s refreshing to find this vintage car that hasn’t been resto-modded, customized or hot-rodded. I think it would make a great candidate for maintaining its originality but I know the temptation to do otherwise can be overwhelming. I’m taking a poll, if you were the buyer, what would you do?
Looks just as good as any 40 ford to me ,and I think the ford flat head v8 had 80 horsepower,5 less then the Chevy.🤔
What’s not to like Jim? I’d go original with this one. Maybe update the brakes
and electrical system to make it a safe
daily driver. I’d take it to the market and
watch the boxboys fight to see which one of them would put our groceries into the
trunk! Come to think of it, I did see one
adventurous hot rodder who stuffed a
427 Ford side oiler into a bright yellow
’40 Chevy sedan about like.this one. I
saw it at the first Street Rod Nationals
in Peoria, Illinois back in 1970. Correction, I heard it coming BEFORE I saw it! It was also featured in an issue of
Rod & Custom Magazine and the old Street Rod Quarterly as well. Better add
some hubcaps to your parts list unless
they’re in the car somewhere.
My dad had a ’40 two door sedan. The pictures showed it to be a nice looking car. Saw one of them at a weekend car show pretty much stock body with engine and trans upgrade and modified (yes, lowered) suspension and good paint and it really stood out. Taillights are one of my favorite features along with the fender mounted parking lights.
I think that black is not its original color…..
This might be a great candidate for a body/interior restoration, but go to discs all the way around, a 350 of some variety, but a very stock appearance. Period-correct whitewalls would add alot also!
I love the look of the black walls. Very purposeful, determined. Whitewalls would ruin this car.
yea Will, period engine swap 283 4 or 5 speed, leave the outside alone, update the gut. or–Horrors- one cool gasser. Or run the Babbitt pounder. Cant go wrong with this beauty!! good luck to the new owner.
Cheers
GPC
Right, suppliers do remanufacture original restoration parts, and will as long as there’s a need. If too many cars were to become modified into something other than original, that supply will end.
Thank you to all the remanufacturers who keep betting on restorers.
My first car… $35.00 in 1964.. got into a lot of trouble with mom as I was only 14 and drove it everywhere.. Hahahaha…
In the early sixties the owner of a body shop in the town I grew up in had a black 283 powered 40 Chevy coupe that he drove for his daily driver in the good months of the year. Still to this day I think of that car when I see a 40 Chevy coupe. Small block Chevy 283 or 327 to be different than the 350’s , usual safety upgrades, keep exterior stock . Undecided which way to go with wheels.
I had one in 1967. I was 17 and it was my third car. I paid $300 for it.
When I picked it up it ran great. Two miles down the road I stopped at a convenience store. Before I could shut it off a fire started under the dash. Took off my t-shirt and snuffed it out. Thought “well there goes 3 months of work” saving for the car. Went in and got a pop, came out, started it and drove off. Ran perfect for the next 2 years.
A friend and I were cruising Central Ave. and got pulled over by the cops. Fortunately there was access to the battery. When you opened it you could see the pavement. Before we stopped I was able dump a lid out of that hole, saving a possible trip to the pokey.
Once that friend and I were driving around and it stalled. Tried to start it but the battery was dead. We got out to push start it. It started, and somehow it slipped into gear and took off without us and started driving itself down the road. It made it nearly a block (we tried in vain to catch it to no avail). It eventually ran into a parked semi. Little or no damage. Hopped in, took off to our first blind double date. Unfortunately that ended up being the real tragedy.
Life as a teenager.
Man I love that story! I can just picture the old ’40 rolling down the road…..driverless!! Great stuff, man.
Great looking car but I’d have to restomod it to make it a reliable driver!! The brakes would be the first thing on the list!!