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Colorful Coupe: 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe

No matter the make, a 2 door coupe is always hard to pass up. This 1941 Chevrolet Special Deluxe may appear to have a colorful past, but it looks to have a solid future. Left hibernating since 1978, this Chevy is claimed to have only 55,000 miles. Solid with a lot of potential, this Special Deluxe is offered at $6,000. Find it here on craigslist out of Yreka, California. Thanks are in order to reader Gary E for the submission. Thanks Gary!

The interior in this Chevrolet is no cream puff, but everything appears to be there, and the floors look solid. The dash has some minor surface rust developing in a few areas, but we imagine it wouldn’t clean up half bad. The door panels are present, but the door pulls that double as an arm rest are a bit dried up and crispy. It appears that the original bench is present, and for the most part is still together. Sadly there are no engine photos, or really any mention of the drivetrain at all.  We assume it to be complete, but in unknown condition. This Special Deluxe would have originally packed a 216 cubic inch inline 6 with a 3 speed manual transmission. The 216 is a great engine, and we would hope it could be revived, or perhaps another sourced. Or if you are a hot rod type, we are sure you can get creative.

Wearing various unappealing colors, this Chevrolet is remarkably straight and solid. There is no visible rot on this Chevy aside from some minor surface rust areas. All of the trim appears to be present, and overall this looks to be a reasonable condition Chevy. Although we wonder, what you would do with this ’41 Special Deluxe?

Comments

  1. Avatar redwagon

    looks like it has already seen desert action.

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  2. Avatar kman

    The machine of a dream
    Such a clean machine
    With the pistons a pumping
    And the hubcaps all gleam
    When I’m holding your wheel
    All I hear is your gear
    When my hand’s on your grease gun
    Oh it’s like a disease son

    I’m in love with my car
    String back gloves in my automolove

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  3. Avatar KeithK

    Freddy probably drove a Mercury ,don’t cha think?

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  4. Avatar jaygryph

    Boy, that car would be all kinds of uniquely textured if you went over it and removed all that oxidizing, did a little light wet sanding to knock down the high spots of surface rust and paint texture, and gave it a super heavy coat of non-whitening show wax.

    Nothing quite as polarizing as patina, but I dig it on this car. Put some period wheels and center caps, new vintage tires on it, and dress up the interior and mechanicals and drive it as is. Maybe repaint it some day, but I have a feeling if it were me it’d never reach that point.

    It’s hard to paint a car while it’s rolling.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Brian Member

      jaygryph, I can see it. The patina on this one is interesting. It almost looks like the paint is a 1/4′ thick. A little polishing, and some wheels and you would have a cool Chevy for sure.

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      • Avatar jaygryph

        It really works best when it’s on an otherwise straight and complete car. If the thing is just beat all to heck I don’t think it tends to work as well.

        Like 0
  5. Avatar Wayne

    “call fast , or it will have a nova clip” . Is that a threat or a promise ?

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Ck

    If it was coming to my house it would be a promise. I can promise you that.

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  7. Avatar S. Brodie

    There’s a reason Hot Rods became very popular in the 50’s, the 40’s cars with their large bodies and pathetic engines were available cheap but needed to be pumped up in terms of performance. The 216 Chev stovebolt has one attribute, it will start in extremely cold weather, but take it from a kid who rode with his parents in these cars, they were very cold having an engine that was a slug and never put out much energy or heat. While the body on this car is beautiful the power train and suspension needs to be re-engineered. Finding a new salvage car (QCSA- copart) and bringing this car up to date would be my way of insuring that it never sat in a barn again.

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    • Avatar Norman Wrensch

      It probably needed a thermostat

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  8. Avatar Rob T.

    Nahhh, not true! Those bullet proof 216’s put out PLENTY of heat. The best heater GM offered in the ’40’s was, without question, the so called “underseat heater”. Pop had a ’47 Stylemaster Sport Sedan that was equipped with one & he still mentions how it was hot enough to “run you outta there!” And this was in CHICAGO for Pete’s sake!! Enough said.

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  9. Avatar buick bill

    im honored . just transplanted a 235 with split headers . im 3rd owner . last registered 1980 . she lives to ride again !! my wife said id never do anything with it , ONE TO MANY TIMES !!!!

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Bruce LeFebvre

    Any idea where I can find a 1940’s car radio? It doesn’t have to work I just need the front face to be salvageable.

    Like 0

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