In 1940, for the model year 1941, Henry Ford met with reporters to introduce the first “fat” Ford. The new car sported a widened body nearly covering its running boards. It was longer and 150 lbs heavier than its predecessor. Integrated headlamps and a fuel door flush with the fender, hiding the filler neck, bestowed a contemporary look. Parking lights were originally placed inside the headlamp bezel but that arrangement was outlawed by some states; consequently, they were mounted atop the fenders. The grille was a three-piece affair, with two horizontal kidney shapes on either side of a tall central grille. In the early days of 1941 model production, the front fenders were manufactured in two pieces, Ford believing that made the car easier to repair after an accident. Later, to reduce costs, the fenders were made in a single piece. This wasn’t the only oddity during this single year of manufacture: generators were found in two different places, there were five different coil/distributor arrangements, and the fan was in one of three positions. Needless to say, mechanics were fit to be tied. Meanwhile, customers were presented with the first six-cylinder engine Ford had offered since 1906, or a 221 cu. in. flathead V8. Of course, the six didn’t sell well. Here on craigslist is a 1941 Ford Super DeLuxe V8 business coupe project for sale, with an asking price of $13,000. It is located in Sandown, New Hampshire. Thanks to T.J. for the tip!
This car sports the V8 with a three-speed manual transmission. Thanks to a beefier frame, softer springs, the longer wheelbase, and 150 extra pounds, this Ford rode like a luxury liner compared to earlier models. Of course, our subject car has been slumbering for fifty years, so it’s not riding anywhere at the moment. But its motor does turn, and the odometer shows only 40,000 miles. The seller indicates that his grandfather purchased the car from a neighbor in 1959 and promptly parked it.
While the seller says mice have not infested the car, the tin worm certainly has. The thought of fixing this is daunting, but I’m not handy with welding. Of course, seeing damage this extensive makes me think – if I have to take it all apart, should it be a hot rod?
The interior retains some of its original charms. The Super DeLuxe was sold with better fabrics, snazzier finishes on the dash, a clock, and a DeLuxe horn ring! Despite its highfalutin features, this car is definitely a project. I noted that the verbiage in the ad says $15,000 while the title is indicating $13,000, but even the lower number seems like a stiff price. What do you think?
You can buy the same amount of rust for a lot cheaper than $13,000. Too bad, can’t be many of these running around.
Well, yes, but this one also comes with dust. Dust AND rust.
Drusty?
Indeed! I do love the design. Was this the kind of car they used to run moonshine?
This was the cheap ‘brother’ of the Lincoln V12?
Business means here the business for the seller.
Beautiful but it’s best years were spent sleeping in a barn. Palliative care only.
Organ Donor. DNR…
This 13 K price is very optimistic, for that much rust and work. Nice right up with some interesting trivia. For whatever reason ,41 Fords never obtained the popularity of many other prewar Fords. I don’t see this car even coming close to 13 thousand dollars. The restoration could double, the buy in price.
I think the grille set up on these is what turned me off in the looks department, even though I’m sure it was as good as a 40 underneath. This one looks rough for only 40,000 miles, that steel isnt like the stuff they use on todays cars.
Agreed. The grill is the result of a one night stand with a BMW and a LaSalle. That kid took a lot of grief in school…
Agreed, the all original 41 Ford coupe that was on here the other day was a much better buy than this one. This one on the other hand is a deluxe, the one from the other day was a standard coupe.
This car will be of interest to a fair amount of old vehicle aficionados. A big reason is because it’s a business coupe. But given the extensive amount of restoration work that will be required to even get this to good driver condition; the asking price at 13/15K? is very unrealistic IMO. Too bad so many sellers these days think every “drusty” (love that!) abandoned vehicle is a treasure and needs to be priced accordingly. Unfortunately I don’t think we will ever return to the days when old car fans considered this a hobby and not get rich quick scheme.
I’m an old car fan, and trust me, I haven’t gotten rich on any of my projects—but I don’t care.
3500.00 would be a fair price, 13000.00 is astronomical for this rust bucket.
Interesting…. I traded a 1964 2 door station wagon for mine in 1974 and I only paid $400.00 for the ’64… so no, I am done with cars.. I still enjoy looking at them but they are completely out of my price range anymore..
The mice did get to this one! They crawled in the rockers & their acidic & corrosive urine rotted them out and the quarters also, too bad! Amazing the engine still turns, must’ve been a very dry barn.
Wow! That is one giant mouse restroom!
A lot of rust to deal with on this car.