The Chevy Master and Master Deluxe were produced between 1933 and 1942. They were a step up from the Standard Mercury which was a budget-minded product. The seller’s MD Sport Coupe is from 1938 and comes with a rumble seat and continental kit (spare tire). It runs, but not well, and will need some tinkering with. From a garage in Salem, Virginia, this survivor-quality automobile is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $45,000 (the seller admits having zero knowledge of its market value). Our thanks to Chuck Foster for uncovering this tip!
In 1938, Chevy had two series designations for its middle-level cars, the Master (HB) and Master Deluxe (HA). The latter came in six body styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door Sport Sedan, 2-door Coach, 2-door Town Sedan, 2-door Business Coupe, and the 2-door Sport Coupe, which included the seller’s car. The snazzier Master Deluxe outsold the Master by almost 2-to-1 (302,700 units vs. 162,400). Either way, you got a 216 cubic inch inline-6 rated at 85 hp paired with a 3-speed manual transmission with synchro-mesh gears.
The seller doesn’t know a great deal about his/her father’s former auto, perhaps because they lived in different parts of the state (the car is in Salem while the seller is in Virginia Beach). We don’t know how the seller came up with the asking price as a simple check of online resources such as Hagerty suggests a much lower figure is more appropriate. Especially since this is not a pristine, well-running vehicle.
We’re told the paint is probably original and that the seller is hesitant to wash it (for fear of the paint coming off?). The Chevy will run, but it has an issue with the carburetor that perhaps a good cleaning would solve. Since the car is photographed with its owner, we assume it’s been a runner in the not-too-distant past. The seller thinks about 200 of these Master Deluxe Sport Coupes are left, but no source is quoted for that statistic. A thorough inspection is recommended before making a financial commitment.
Interesting car with a limited appeal, esp at the silly price point. But all one needs to do is make an offer. It just won’t be me, but someone will.
Marketing types weren’t too creative back then with names. Master, Master DeLuxe? Lincoln had the Premium, Buick the Special. Interesting automobile though without any modern amenities it’d be a chore to drive.
I’ve seen this car in person. We used to live in Roanoke Va. It is a great old vehicle but around $25-30,000 would be a much better asking price in my opinion.
She also has other vehicles and several motorcycles.
A very nice 55 Buick. Watch for coming sales.
Thank you for saying you have seen this car…we put too high a price on it so people could look at it and make a reasonable offer, we have lowered the price to 30,000…but no one has come to see it yet…it may have to wait until spring…and carefully wash it….it has some chipped paint, and I didn’t want water to get under the paint and freeze and make the situation worse…thank you for the comment…that was nice of you…
Carol, I just happened by this article and am in the market for just such a car. Perhaps it is still available?
OK, so in the late 30’s , what was Chevrolets base model, mid range models, and top model? I understand Impala, Bel Air, Biscayne, or Bel Air, 210, 150, but this Master, Master Deluxe thing…..
No $42K car; $15K maybe….
I never realized any of the paint manufacturers ever made a paint that would last for 85 years and still look this nice? Taking in consideration of all the improvements that these chemical engineers have made improving the quality of paint since 1938.This must have been some really good quality paint that I never knew about??
I really have no interest in this particular vehicle, so I really don’t know why I am even commenting?
Perhaps, because painting cars is one of my passions.
The seller has an excellent rebuttal though, ” I don’t know anything about this vehicle”.
I do like the car though. It looks straight as an arrow! The new owner is going to be happy!
Just my oponion!
Like two steps up from a steel wheeled tractor!
LOL, That’s funny Geo
It’s really disheartening to see a man’s family not knowing anything about his passion for a vehicle .And not showing same interest as the one who continued to enjoy the vehicle..When family wasn’t there (due to their obligations) the car was..Only true car enthusiasts realize the satisfaction it takes to nurture such an endeavor..If you have to ask ..you wouldn’t understand…Really beautiful car…And only “a chore” to drive..if you don’t appreciate it ..Again..if you have to ask…you wouldn’t understand…He sure left a beautiful work of art to his family..
Could someone explain the “Mercury” reference in the first sentence? I’m confused! Beyond that,nice enough car, but likely not at the asking price!
It simply meant that this car in their opinion was a step up from the base Mercury.
It’s an old car, if you want something fancy, buy a new car…..
I have “a thing” for General Motors 1938 cars as my father had a 1938 Pontiac sitting in the barn which I used to play in and eventually got to drive a short distance around 1963, I was 10.
This is way different from the Pontiac as that was a 4 door with a humongous back seat. Like a limousine. But the rumble seat is cute (never understood rumble seats) and car is attractive, at half the price.
The seller will soon become familiar with the market value of these cars. I love them, but I’m old, not as old as the car. But the newer generations don’t place value on them. $45k is too much money for this car, IMHO.
In today’s weak market, that’s a $20k car, tops. Most of the guys who rode in those as kids have passed away.
I agree.
I have a 39 Buick in very good condition (total restoration), said to be original straight eight, a frequent trophy winner, the market on these cars in very good condition is around 25 k on a good day at least in my local area (north east Ohio). And to fox owner, oh yeah, chore to drive, lol, but fun.
I have a model of your father’s car because my father had the same car. I remember riding in back behind him when he drove the car. It would be nice if I could put a picture but I don’t have that option.
I’m 69 years old. That’s my grandpa’s car, not my dad’s.